Electrician Killed In Workplace Accident At Burgard High School

A workplace accident in New York has claimed the life of a beloved father. The electrical contractor was found dead at a Buffalo Public School District (BPS) high school on February 20.

The electrical contractor died at Burgard High School while working at the school. The man was at the school outside of business hours, so no students or staff were present at the school at the time of his death. The man’s family stated that the man was alone and parking a lift when he became pinned.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation into the man’s death. The man’s employer, Frey Electric, has not commented on the man’s death.

The man leaves behind five children, ranging in age from 9 months old to 15 years old. A GoFundMe has been set up for the man’s family. It has raised more than $10,000 so far.

Dangers Electricians Face

Electricians work in one of the more hazardous trades. Here are the most common dangers:

• Electrical shock and electrocution. The biggest risk is contact with live wires. Even low-voltage exposure can cause injury, while high-voltage contact can lead to severe burns, cardiac arrest, or death.
• Arc flash and arc blast. An arc flash occurs when electricity jumps through the air, creating extreme heat (hotter than the sun’s surface). This can cause serious burns, blindness, and ignite clothing. The accompanying blast can throw workers and cause hearing damage.
• Falls and heights. Electricians often work on ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops. A fall can result in broken bones, head injuries, or even death.
• Beyond electrical burns, electricians can suffer thermal burns from overheated equipment, sparks, or explosions.

Can You Get Workers’ Comp After a Workplace Death in New York?

As the family grieves and struggles financially after the man’s death, they may wonder what benefits are available to them. Workers’ compensation is typically available when a worker is injured in the workplace, but what if they die?

If a worker dies because of a job-related injury or illness, New York workers’ compensation program provides death (survivor) benefits to certain family members. These benefits typically go to a surviving spouse, minor children, or, in some cases, other dependents.

Eligible survivors may receive:

• Weekly cash payments equal to about two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage (subject to a state maximum).
• Funeral expense coverage.

If no dependents exist, a limited lump-sum payment may go to parents or the estate.

However, there are some limitations to keep in mind. The death must be work-related. If the worker dies from an unrelated cause, standard workers’ comp death benefits usually do not apply. In addition, Families must file a death claim (Form C-62), generally within two years of the death.

Contact Us for More Information About Workers’ Compensation Benefits

A workplace death can have immense effects on loved ones. Grief and loss of financial support can be devastating.

A White Plains workers’ compensation lawyer from The Law Office of Michael Lawrence Varon can help you understand your legal options after a loved one’s workplace accident. Schedule a consultation today by calling (914) 228-1770 or filling out the online form.

Source:

wgrz.com/article/news/local/electrical-contractor-dies-at-bps-school/71-fb0b3904-7bf2-48d4-9e56-7fe1b1c93b6c