Law enforcement and OSHA investigating deadly scaffold collapse

Construction workers in South Carolina who work in high places know that many safety rules must be followed to prevent falls. Authorities at the construction site of the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort are continuing to look for the cause of a scaffold collapse that killed two men August 29. The local sheriff’s office has started a death investigation. A spokeswoman for the department said that they want to be certain that it was an accident.

Inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are participating in the investigation. A worker said that OSHA inspectors had been visiting the site every day and had not cited any issues previously.

The scaffold collapsed under the two male victims, who were age 34 and 46, during the pouring of concrete. Emergency responders declared them dead at the scene. A third man almost fell, but he managed to hang on until co-workers rescued him.

The resort is a $282 million project for a 516-room Marriott International hotel. DCS Investment Holdings is the manager of the construction project for the hotel company. A spokesperson from Marriott expressed sadness for the loss of life.

The surviving family of a person killed on the job could expect a death benefit from the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance is also meant to pay for medical care when a worker suffers workplace injuries. Although benefits should be available, an injured person might want legal representation when making a claim. Employers and insurers sometimes withhold information about coverage or threaten to retaliate if a person files a claim. With help from an attorney, however, a worker could collect a fair settlement for medical bills and lost pay.