On Oct. 5, a Minnesota construction worker was killed when he fell from an elevator while on the job. The incident occurred at around 2:45 p.m. in Tenney, according to the Wilkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said that the male victim, age 21, was adjusting a platform atop the Wheaton Dumont Co-op Elevator with two co-workers when he plummeted to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
According to the sheriff’s office, the victim was employed by Gateway Building Systems, which is located in Fergus Falls. Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by the Minnesota State Patrol, Campbell Rescue and Ambulance Service Inc. The incident remains under investigation.
Construction worker accidents claim hundreds of lives across the U.S. each year. When a worker is killed in an on-the-job accident, their next of kin has the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits through the worker’s employer. Workers’ compensation insurance typically covers medical expenses and funeral costs for the deceased worker. It also provides wage replacement payments to help support a worker’s dependents. When someone is injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits typically cover medical expenses and a portion of the worker’s salary while they recover at home. If a worker suffers a permanent disability, long-term benefits may be available. If a worker has already filed a claim and had it denied, an attorney may be able to successfully appeal the decision. Workers could learn more about their rights by seeking the advice of a lawyer.