Industrial job sites, like warehouses, factories, and construction zones, are some of the most dangerous workplaces in Ohio. Heavy machinery, forklifts, loading equipment, and unstable materials pose constant risks. When employers fail to enforce proper safety measures, the consequences can be catastrophic.
At Harris Law, we represent families who have lost loved ones to fatal crush injuries at work. These heartbreaking cases often result from preventable safety violations, and surviving family members may have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
What Are Crush Injuries?
Crush injuries occur when a person is trapped between two heavy objects or struck by powerful equipment. In industrial settings, common causes of fatal crush injuries include:
- Forklift or heavy vehicle accidents
- Falling pallets, steel, or other heavy materials
- Collapses of trenches, scaffolding, or unstable structures
- Machinery without proper guarding or emergency shut-offs
- Equipment rollovers or malfunctions
These types of accidents are often fast, violent, and deadly.
Can You Sue for a Fatal Workplace Injury in Ohio?
In many cases, yes. While workers’ compensation may provide limited benefits after a fatal work injury, it is often not enough, especially when negligence or safety violations are involved.
In Ohio, families may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit if:
- The employer removed or ignored required safety equipment (like guards or barriers)
- A third-party contractor or equipment manufacturer caused or contributed to the accident
- The employer knowingly placed workers in a dangerous situation that led to death
A wrongful death claim allows families to seek damages beyond workers’ comp, including:
- Loss of financial support and income
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship and emotional support
- Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Ohio?
Under Ohio law, wrongful death claims must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, typically a close family member such as:
- A spouse
- A parent
- A child
- A court-appointed representative if no immediate family is available
Compensation from a successful claim is distributed among eligible surviving family members.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Fatal Workplace Injury
Wrongful death claims arising from industrial accidents can be complex. Employers and insurance companies often work quickly to protect themselves—not the grieving family.
That’s where an experienced industrial accident injury lawyer comes in.
At Harris Law, we act fast to:
- Investigate the accident scene
- Preserve key evidence and witness testimony
- Identify all liable parties, including third-party contractors and equipment manufacturers
- Work with safety experts to prove how the death could have been prevented
Contact Harris Law Today
We have decades of experience handling every aspect of the legal process so your family can focus on healing. Contact us today at info@harrislawohio.com to schedule a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the most common causes of fatal crush injuries at industrial job sites in Ohio?
Forklift collisions, falling materials, trench or scaffolding collapses, and unguarded machinery are among the most frequent causes of fatal crush injuries in warehouses, factories, and construction zones.
2. Does workers’ compensation cover fatal crush injuries in Ohio?
Workers’ compensation may provide some benefits, but it often does not fully address the financial and emotional losses after a workplace death. Families may still pursue a wrongful death claim for additional damages.
3. When can families file a wrongful death lawsuit after a workplace accident?
A wrongful death lawsuit may be filed when negligence, safety violations, or third party involvement contributed to the accident, such as unguarded machinery, defective equipment, or dangerous work conditions.
4. Who is allowed to file a wrongful death claim in Ohio?
Under Ohio law, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, usually a spouse, parent, child, or court appointed representative.
5. What damages can families recover in a wrongful death claim?
Families may recover for lost financial support, medical and funeral expenses, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before death.
6. Why should families hire a lawyer after a fatal workplace injury?
An experienced lawyer can investigate the accident, preserve critical evidence, identify all responsible parties, and fight to secure full and fair compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits.
