A tree trimmer suffered lethal on-the-job injuries when falling branches struck him while he worked in Laguna Hills. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal accident occurred on the afternoon of June 4 in the 25400 block of Barents. A resident noticed an injured man in a tree and promptly contacted Orange County fire officials. Responding paramedics found the tree trimmer hanging unconscious from a harness while trapped by heavy branches in an eucalyptus tree.
Officials said the tree trimmer appeared to have been seriously injured when at least one large branch fell on his head or neck. He may have died before an ambulance arrived. Removing the trapped branches required a crane. Firefighters brought him down from the tree. The man did not appear to be a city employee, but officials said he might have been working for a private company or himself. An investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of this deceased worker. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Tree Trimming Deaths
According to Tree Care Industry Association statistics, about 580 people died in tree-trimming accidents from 2009 through 2015. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that grounds maintenance workers, including tree trimmers, have a fatality rate more than three times that of the average U.S. worker. Yet, no federal standards exist for tree trimming, pruning, and removal. The International Society of Arboriculture promotes voluntary standards, but not all contractors adopt those guidelines.
Compensation Issues
Tree trimmers who are injured on the job can seek workers’ compensation benefits from their employers, which typically cover medical expenses and a portion of the lost wages. Families of deceased victims may be eligible to receive death benefits if the worker was killed on the job. However, in California, these benefits are woefully inadequate when it comes to compensating severely injured workers or families that have lost loved ones in work-related accidents.
In addition to workers’ compensation, injured victims and their families may be able to file a third-party claim against a party other than an employer. This might include a negligent property owner who failed to keep the premises safe, or the manufacturer of a defective product that caused or contributed to the worker’s injuries. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to guide workers and families through their legal rights and options.
Our team at Bisnar Chase has decades of experience handling personal injury actions, including tree trimmer accidents. Contact us for a free consultation.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2019/06/04/tree-trimmer-injured-while-working-in-laguna-hills-coroner-summoned/
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
