A 27-year-old man sustained a fatal job injury after he was electrocuted while working on a pool in Palm Desert. According to a news report in The Desert Sun, the incident occurred at The Lakes Country Club on Country Club Drive, the morning of August 19, 2010. The contract worker was apparently standing on the steps of the pool when a damaged extension cord with exposed wires came into contact with the metal handrail and electrocuted him. Security personnel performed CPR and the authorities were called to the scene. But the man was pronounced dead at the hospital. Cal-OSHA officials are investigating the accident.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this man. His grieving family members and friends will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

Workplace Fatalities Statistics

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008, 404 Californians died on the job. According to the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health's web site, in 2005, 24 workers died after being electrocuted on the job.

Workplace Accident Claims

In this particular case, it is not clear exactly what caused this worker's fatal accident. There are several unanswered questions here. Why were the electric wires damaged and exposed? Who else was at the worksite? Did the club, where the worker was on the job, create a hazardous condition for the worker? Were there any defective products involved? Were any other employees or contractors responsible for the damaged wires at that location? I trust Cal/OSHA investigators will be looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

In such cases, injured workers or their families will usually be entitled to California worker's compensation benefits from their employer. However, if the accident was caused due to the negligence of another individual or entity, that person or entity can also be held liable for the worker's injuries or wrongful death. In a fatal case, the deceased worker's family can file what is known as a "third-party claim" against the at-fault party. These claims are usually worth many times more than worker's compensation, which is usually inadequate to cover such a major loss. An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer will be able to advise workers and their families about their legal rights and options.

Is there a danger of serious injury at your workplace? We would like to hear your concerns about the dangers you face on the job every day.

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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