Another Fatal Construction Accident in Wake County

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous places to work in. An accident on August 9, 2018, in Wake County demonstrated this when a heavy piece of equipment fell onto a worker and took her life.

The name of the 48-year-old worker has not yet been released. The accident took place just before noon on Auburn Knightdale Road. Investigators could not immediately ascertain the cause of the accident.

The worker was part of a construction crew that was grading a site to be called Auburn Village. Developer Lennar Corporation is constructing 350 ranch homes on a site that is currently an unstable environment due to loose soil and other factors.

Cranes and other equipment were brought in to preserve the scene and properly recover the construction worker’s body. Raleigh’s Urban Search and Rescue Team was also called in to help with recovery efforts and to ensure everyone in the area was kept as safe as possible.

The death of the Wake County worker is the latest in a string of fatal workplace accidents. According to the Department of Labor, there were 44 fatal workplace accidents within the state in the last year. Half of those occurred in the construction industry.

Since fatal construction accidents are so common in North Carolina, it is important that families know they may be eligible for accident benefits after a loved one dies on the job. As long as the accident resulted in an injury or illness that is covered under the state’s workers’ compensation program, the family could file a death claim and receive financial benefits. Death benefits may provide a percentage of the deceased’s weekly wage as well as burial expenses.

While it may be difficult to think about filing a claim immediately after the death of a loved one, it may be financially practicable. A family struggling with financial burdens because of the death of their loved one while on the job may want to take legal action as soon as possible.