Vicente Zaragoza, 76, died from a job injury after he was run over by a front loader at the Sonoma County dump. According to a Bay City News report, Zaragoza was sorting metal and plastics from piles of yard waste the morning of December 18, 2009, when he was struck and killed. The owner of the facility said the driver of the front loader did not see Zaragoza.

OSHA Investigation Ongoing

Officials from the California Department of Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) are investigating this workplace accident. Authorities will examine the front loader for malfunctions and will also look into whether it had a beeper alarm that sounded when it backed up. Officials say Zaragoza was hit as the front loader was backing up. The investigation will also examine how the loader operator verifies there is no one close by before backing up and whether someone guides the driver during the process of backing up when other employees are working in the area.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Vicente Zaragoza for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

Accident Fatality Statistics

According to Cal/OSHA's 2005 accident fatality statistics, 76 workers died as a result of contact with objects and equipment including vehicles. OSHA mandates that employers have a vehicle inspection checklist and make sure they follow it diligently. The checklist includes checking vehicle brake connections, parking brake, emergency brake, tires, coupling devices, horn, operating controls and safety devices such as reverse signal alarm.

Third Party Claims

In such job injury cases an OSHA investigation could take several weeks. However, Zaragoza's family would find it in their best interests to promptly consult a reputed San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who could help them file a "third party claim." Families of workers who are fatally injured on the job will be entitled to California worker's compensation benefits. However, those benefits are extremely inadequate in cases where families have to deal with the loss of a primary wage earner. A third party claim is filed against an entity other than an employer such as a contractor, sub-contractor or the manufacturer of a defective product. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured workers and their families.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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