Max Martinez, a 26-year-old PG&E worker, sustained fatal job injuries after he was electrocuted while working in an underground vault in Benicia, California. According to a KGO-TV news report, the accident occurred the morning of March 17, 2010, when Martinez, a lineman, was installing a new transformer in the 12,000-volt vault. Three other workers were in the vault, but no one else was injured. California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA) officials are investigating this incident.
My prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Max Martinez. Apparently he worked for PG&E for the last five years. Please keep this deceased worker's family in your thoughts and prayers.
PG&E Accidents
Cal-OSHA reports that they investigated 16 incidents involving PG&E workers over the last five years. The most recent fatal incident occurred in March 2009 when a PG&E worker, also a lineman, fell 30 feet from a utility pole, in the Sierra foothills.
At this point, it is not clear what exactly caused this fatal on-the-job accident. Investigators are likely to be looking into whether the workers had been trained properly for the job they were doing, and if all safety standards and procedures were being followed at the time. I trust OSHA investigators will conduct a thorough investigation and obtain some answers for Max Martinez's family. This must truly, be a devastating blow for them.
Possibility of Third Party Claims
Martinez's family would be well-advised to seek the counsel of a reputed San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record with "third-party claims." These are claims filed against parties other than the employer in a workplace accident. Examples of third parties are contractors, sub-contractors, or the manufacturers of defective and malfunctioning products.
Third-party claims are typically worth a lot more than workers compensation, to the families of deceased victims, or workers who have sustained serious injuries. California workers compensation benefits, which are usually available to injured workers or their families through employers, are woefully inadequate, especially in fatal accidents or incidents that result in catastrophic injuries. A large company such as PG&E will already have its attorneys and insurance people working on this case to primarily safeguard their interests. There is no question that Martinez's family needs a skilled and knowledgeable injury lawyer on their side, fighting for them and protecting their legal rights.
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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p. navarrete said:
FYOI---I contacted CAL/OSHA with the same information as I told you.