San Francisco construction law firm

Forklifts Involved in Dangerous Workplace Accidents

August 25, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

In mid-August, Edwin Gomez-Zarate, 35, was working for SiteOne Landscape Supply and operating a forklift to load and unload paver stones for a residential driveway project. Details are not immediately known, but Gomez-Zarate became trapped in the forklift in some way. Police were sent to the worksite that afternoon and Gomez-Zarate died shortly after 3 p.m. before arriving at a hospital.

This tragedy is an example of the dangers of many common workplace vehicles and equipment. While forklifts are routinely operated across the country, they require special training and a great deal of care. If the operator and workings around vehicle are not careful and observant, deadly accidents can occur.

The situation that led to Gomez-Zarate’s death is currently under investigation by the California Division of Occupational Safety & Health (CAL/OSHA), which may lead to more information. If there is evidence of a health and safety violation, SiteOne Landscape Supply may be sanctioned. Additionally, evidence of a violation or another person’s negligence may support a legal claim by the surviving spouse.

Dangerous Construction Site Leads to Building Evacuations

February 22, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

On February 22, a crane and concrete slab in a high-rise construction site in South of Market became unstable and were at a risk of falling, CBS SF Bay Area reported. Due to the significant dangers posed by the two-ton piece of concrete hanging 35 stories above the ground, the building under construction and 15 others around it were evacuated. The surrounding streets and alleys were also closed.

The issue was caused when a strut within the crane that was putting the concrete wall into position failed, which is also being referred to in the news as a partial hydraulic failure. This caused the crane, which is currently located in the center of the building where a stair well will be, to tilt and allow the concrete wall to lean outward. Authorities stated the crane was not going to fall and the evacuations were purely out of caution. If the concrete had fallen after individuals were evacuated, a worst-case-scenario only involved structural damage to a couple of buildings and the street.

Incident Leads to Health and Safety Violation

Man Killed in Forklift Accident

December 28, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Industrial accidents can be serious and can cause life-threatening injuries. Construction sites and industrial premises are required to follow safety rules. Workers and others expect that they will be out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Injuries can occur for a number of reasons. Last month, a man was killed in a forklift accident in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. Officials classified the death as an industrial accident.

Industrial Accidents

Industrial accidents are caused by human error, according to OSHA (Occupational Health & Safety). Thousands of people are injured or killed as a result of accidents in the workplace. Workplace safety is an important concern for all companies. Some industries are more dangerous than others. For example, coal mining is one of the most hazardous of all occupations in the United States. When an industrial accident occurs, it often results in serious injuries.

The Continuing Story of the Berkeley Balcony Collapse and How Our California Construction Law Firm Helps Those Injured by Building Defects

April 27, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Last summer, Californians and the nation watched in disbelief as the story of the Berkeley balcony collapse unfolded. Six people died and many others were injured in the tragedy. The pictures were shocking and made many of us think twice before stepping out onto our own balconies and terraces. Some ten months later, lawmakers and others are trying to figure out what went wrong. As a San Francisco construction law firm committed to helping people injured or left grieving by dangerous structures, the Brod Law Firm is following the developments.

State Senate Looks at Safety Records and State Law in Balcony Collapse Review

As KPIX reports, a California State Senate subcommittee is looking into what caused the deadly balcony collapse last June. State Senator Jerry Hill focused the discussion on the history of the construction company that has been accused of performing shoddy construction that allegedly led to the structural failure. Hill noted that the company has paid some $26.5 million to settle construction defect cases in the past.