Power plants and energy providers are prominent employers in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania. These jobs are important to the economy and for people who do them to support their families. Some are employed by the business itself or are contractors. With many of these jobs, there are inherent dangers. If there is an accident, it can lead to severe injuries and fatalities. If a worker has been injured in the workplace or there was a fatal workplace accident, the family left behind must be cognizant of the steps they must take to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
A recent accident at a coal plant killed two contractors and injured four others. The accident happened at around 11:30 p.m. as the men were doing maintenance in an underground area. The men who died were 34-years-old and 42-years-old. They inhaled hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas. Three of the men who were injured were also contractors. According to the law enforcement investigation, the men removed the elbow joint of a pipe and accidentally released the gas. Given that they were in a confined, enclosed space, they were overcome before they could escape. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident.
When workers die on the job, there is a strong likelihood they were supporting others with their income. It might have been a spouse, a family, parents and others. The loss of a loved one can be painful on an emotional, personal and financial level. Combined, there can be long-term problems for the family left behind as they try to move forward. A lawsuit is often the only strategy to be sufficiently compensated for everything that was lost. Accepting a settlement before the details of the incident are known can be a mistake, as insurers try to get the case behind them and the amount is rarely sufficient.
In this accident, contract workers died when toxic gas was released into the area they were working. OSHA is looking into the case and law enforcement officials have investigated. The families must make certain that they have an investigation from their perspective.
Source: wesa.fm, “2 Dead And 4 Injured At Pittsburgh-Area Coal Plant Accident,” Reid Frazier, Aug. 30, 2017