Ronald Mishna Killed In East Palo Alto Forklift Accident At The Home Depot
EAST PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA (May 17, 2022) – An employee of The Home Depot identified as Ronald Mishna has tragically died in an East Palo Alto forklift accident.
San Mateo County officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:00 a.m. on Friday. Ronald Mishna was working at The Home Depot when he was hit in the head by a case of water that fell off a forklift.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help the victim. Despite the best efforts of first responders, Ronald Mishna died due to his injuries.
Cal/OSHA is continuing to investigate what may have contributed to the forklift accident.
Liability In East Palo Alto Forklift Accidents
Forklifts can be especially dangerous to workers. This is particularly true when they are not handled properly. A forklift can weigh up to 9,000 lbs and can travel 18 mph. Unlike vehicles, a forklift only has brakes in the front, thereby making them harder to stop. According to McCue, around 75 to 100 workers are killed in forklift accidents per year. Another 35,000 to 62,000 workers are injured. There are number of steps that should be taken in order to prevent forklift accidents.
- Workers should be properly trained before they are allowed to use a forklift.
- Forklifts should be regularly inspected and checked for defects.
- Worksites should have safety barriers and other measures to protect workers from forklift accidents.
When a worker is injured or killed on the job, they or their family may have recourse through the worker’s compensation system. Worker’s compensation in California is a no-fault insurance system. There is no need for a worker to demonstrate that another party was at fault. Depending on the facts of any case, the family of a deceased worker may also have legal recourse through a third party liability claim.
A third party claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer was responsible for an accident. For example, the company that manufactured a forklift could potentially be responsible for an accident if a forklift was defective. A forklift may not have had an adequate protective cage or roll guards. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any forklift accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The forklift involved should be examined.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Worker training manuals should be reviewed.
The family of any worker that died in a forklift accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. It is crucial that evidence is properly preserved after any accident. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating An East Palo Alto Forklift Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ronald Mishna. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much. It is our sincere hope that The Home Depot will implement safety measures to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about an East Palo Alto forklift accident? Our team of worker safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that employers are doing everything in their power to keep workers safe. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
