Tree Trimmer Electrocuted in Land Park Neighborhood
A contractor working for a landscaping company in Sacramento on May 28 died by electrocution when the crew may have accidentally struck a power line. Emergency responders with the Sacramento Fire Department reported that the accident happened around 10:45 in the morning on Marian Way near Land Park. Officials with the fire department said one of the contract employees, estimated to be in his mid-forties, was discovered in the tree around 50 feet up and was unresponsive. The accident is under investigation by the Sacramento Police Department to determine what happened.
Accident Details
A spokesman for the fire department said high-powered electricity appeared to have caused the man’s injuries. Sadly, he was declared dead at the accident scene. Family members of the man who died worked with him and were present at the site. Chaplains arrived to offer solace to the family members. The name of the deceased worker has not been released pending an investigation by police, SMUD and Cal-OSHA.
Electrocution Accidents
Electrocution accidents are devastating, not only because a loved family member has been taken away suddenly, leaving them in grief and shock, but they can be compounded by the loss of financial support the decedent provided. When negligence is the cause of an electrocution accident, the family may place a claim for compensation for the loss of their dear one. Along with the employer and city government, the utility company that owns the electrical infrastructure may also find themselves liable. An experienced wrongful death lawyer in Sacramento can help the family recover the damages they deserve after an electrocution accident. Although it will not ease their suffering and grief, it can help them move forward without facing financial distress that would occur otherwise.
Duty of Care
Personal injury claims are based on negligence by an individual or entity who had a duty of care toward another person, failed in that duty, and an accident injury or fatality occurred as a result. Because of the loss of that loved one, the family sustained a financial loss. Recovery of damages through a wrongful death claim is one way that the family can obtain justice. For example, an employer has the responsibility to keep workers safe from any hazards. The employer also has the responsibility to ensure that the employee is correctly trained and knows how to use the equipment for the job.
Responsibilities of the Power Company
Power companies such as PG&E have the responsibility to repair low-hanging or broken power lines to keep the public safe. If a phone or cable company needs to work near those power lines, they must be shut off to ensure worker safety. Additionally, if the trees haven’t been trimmed near a conductor, which leads to an accident injury or fatality, the company or the government agency charged with this task can be held responsible for their negligence.
Helping Those Who Are Grieving
There are a number of ways other family members, coworkers and friends can help a grieving family. This includes:
- Offer to run errands, watch children or do household chores, especially if it is something the deceased person used to do.
- Send a card, flowers or call if you cannot be present.
- Be a good listener. Those who are experiencing grief often need to talk.
- Stay in contact, especially after the funeral is over. Grieving can take a long time, and knowing that friends and other loved ones continue to be supportive can ease the transition into a life that is different.
- Offer to drive the person to pick up groceries or run errands.
- Accompany them to the funeral home to make arrangements. Having someone else along for this difficult chore is appreciated.
In the following video, Attorney Ed Smith discusses how to choose a personal injury lawyer:
How a Lawyer Investigates an Accident
The collection of evidence is important to support a case for a personal injury. We send our investigators to the accident site to review the police report for inaccuracies and talk to witnesses. In addition, among other areas of investigation, they:
- Examine records to see when transformers and lines were serviced and when branches and trees close by were maintained or trimmed.
- Look for traffic or other surveillance cameras that might have filmed the accident.
- Examine the coroner’s report or injury record.
- Interview other employees at the accident site.
Our lawyers take over the case once the investigation is complete, and all the evidence has been gathered. The data can be used either in settlement negotiations or in preparing a court case.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death attorney. If your loved one was lost or injured due to negligence by an employer or government entity, I have free and friendly advice to offer you. Please give me a call at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach me by filling out the form online.
Information about my law firm can be found below:
Since 1982, I’ve helped many families obtain compensation for the loss of their loved ones as well as accidents involving traffic collisions and traumatic injuries.
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Photo Attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLQ8I1W1gR8&feature=youtu.be; https://pixabay.com/photos/condolences-trauerkarte-letters-3991589/
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