The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating the death of a worker in Santa Paula. The agency typically investigates all deaths caused by work-related injuries. A Cal/OSHA spokesperson says the fire department was called to the scene shortly after 6:30 p.m. on a recent Tuesday.
Fire crews rushed to the address where the workplace accident occurred. Upon their arrival, they found the victim of an electrocution accident already deceased. They learned that the worker was an employee of a handyman service company. Reportedly, the company was contracted to repair an air conditioner and the ventilation and heating systems.
The worker was busy with these repairs in the building’s attic when he accidentally touched an exposed wire. This information was provided by the Santa Paula director of Community and Economic Development. The Cal/OSHA investigators will likely look at the company’s compliance with prescribed safety standards. Furthermore, compliance inspectors might want to check the deceased worker’s qualifications to learn whether he was qualified to do electrical work.
Regardless of the Cal/OSHA investigation outcome, the surviving family members of the deceased worker can pursue financial relief. The California workers’ compensation system is a no-fault program that pays benefits even if work-related injuries were caused by the worker’s own fault. The family is free to seek the support and guidance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to assist with filing a death benefits claim. Legal counsel can help with the navigation of administrative and legal proceedings as they pursue compensation to cover end-of-life arrangements and a percentage of lost wages.