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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s rules are intended to protect workers from inhumane conditions including soaring temperatures.
But something went badly wrong last summer in Norfolk when a temporary worker died from “excessive heat” on the destroyer Nitze.
As a Norfolk personal injury lawyer I deal with many wrongful death cases in which people lose their lives through the negligence of others. It may be on the roads, in hospitals in a carbon monoxide polluted apartment complex or at the workplace.
The Virginian-Pilot reported on how the U.S. Labor Department has “ cited a ship repair company based in Hampton and a staffing business in Portsmouth,” over the death of the temporary worker.
They are accused of failing to ensure adequate working conditions of this employee who died on the Nitze.
The companies in question are B.R. Flowers & Co. and Tidewater Staffing Inc. OSHA accused them of a “serious violation” of OSHA’s “general duty clause,” according to a news release from the federal agency.
It said that “a serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.”
The press release said the worker died “while cleaning up debris on the deck” of the Nitze while it was at Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk. The worker was not identified.
As well as facing these fines the companies could be liable in wrongful death suits for this tragic and totally avoidable death. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of a company or an individual, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Call us at (757) 455-0077 for a free consultation with an experienced Virginia injury lawyer.
The Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Hampton wrongful death law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as other cases such as slip and fall cases, wrongful death and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling wrongful death claims. Cooper Hurley represents families who have lost a loved one through another party’s fault in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. Our motto is “Your Injury, Our Fight.” If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us at (757) 455 -0077 or contact us through this website.