OSHA Investigating Fatal Construction Site Accident at Port Tampa Bay

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on November 17, 2022

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is currently investigating a forklift accident that claimed the life of one construction worker Wednesday morning at Port Tampa Bay.

According to preliminary reports from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies along with members of Port Security, were dispatched to Port Tampa Bay shortly after 11 a.m. on November 16, 2022 in response to a construction accident. Authorities arrived at the scene of the incident and discovered a worker suffering from serious injuries received after a forklift dropped two 3,000 lb. bundles of lumber onto the individual.

Hillsborough County emergency response teams transported the seriously injured construction worker to Tampa General Hospital where he passed away.

Witness statements retrieved from other employees at the accident site indicated that the victim was working to clear the area of any debris for a nearby forklift that was transporting three tons of wood along the port. At some point while the forklift was in operation, the victim was struck by one stack of lumber. This caused the second large stack of lumber to become loose, roll off the forklift, and onto the construction worker.

The identity of the accident victim has not been released to the public. Further details are expected to be released by OSHA at the conclusion of their investigation.

A Perfect Storm for Workplace Accidents

Although most outdoor businesses typically operate year-round here in Florida, companies will internationally schedule longer projects during the winter months so their workers aren’t exposed to hyperthermia, sun stroke, and burns from the sweltering heat and scorching sunshine. That said, as the cooler temperatures here in our state continue to shift towards a more favorable climate for outdoor occupations, like landscaping, roofing, road work, and construction, the amount of workplace accidents are sadly expected to rise.

If you have been injured in any of the following types of construction accidents or a loved one sustained a fatal workplace injury, please seek the immediate assistance of a trusted & reliable attorney.

• Burn Injuries
• Construction Tool Malfunction
• Crane Accidents
• Electrical Injuries & Explosions
• Excavation Accidents
• Falls From Roof & Falls From Ladders
• Safety Equipment Failure
• Heavy Equipment Accidents
• Hoist Accidents
• Scaffolding Accidents & Structure Collapses

Contact Us Today

If you would like to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. at 877-FL-INJURY to speak with an associate.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.