On behalf of Weisman, Kennedy & Berris Co., L.P.A. posted in wrongful death on Monday, April 22, 2013.

Some Ohioans face potentially dangerous conditions at their daily jobs. For this reason, companies are responsible for ensuring that their employees are as safe as possible. Proper training and safety precautions help to reduce the likelihood of a fatal accident.

A local energy company supervisor knows about on-the-job accidents all too well. In 2007, one of his workers was injured as the crew was setting up a temporary power connection during a repair. The company apparently failed to learn from the mistake. Four years later, another worker on the supervisor’s crew was killed while performing the same task. The man was reportedly electrocuted after someone told him it was safe to handle the wire; although the supervisor was on site at the time of the accident, it is not clear who told him he could proceed. Most responsible and honest companies have their employees’ health and safety as a top priority and they ensure that they are prepared for if injury or accident does occur. Workers’ compensation insurance from the likes of FFVA is often what employers will look into to ensure that injured parties are taken care of, as any reputable company should.

The victim’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Akron company. The family alleges that the company failed to provide adequate training for its employees and did not take safety measures that may have prevented the man’s death. It is unknown whether the supervisor was disciplined for his part in the 2007 injury or the man’s more recent death. If the court sides with the victim’s family, they could receive more than $50,000 in damages. Because the man was working on a crew, there are likely several witnesses; however, it is unknown whether any of the victim’s former colleagues are scheduled to testify in court. The energy company has not spoken about the accident.

The loss of a loved one is devastating, especially when it is the result of a preventable accident. Family members of victims may want to talk with an attorney. They may be entitled to compensation to help them cover funeral costs and other expenses.

Source: CantonRep, “Family sues over FirstEnergy worker’s death,” April 11, 2013