Houston, TX — A worker died several months ago (June 10, 2014) in the Houston area at a Pep Boys store. A recent report from OSHA said that a worker was killed after he fell from a mobile (moving) platform at Pep Boys Store #209 off West Road and the North Freeway.
Exactly how the accident happened wasn’t released in the report. However, it appears that the worker was trying to reshelve an auto part when the mobile platform he was using slipped and he fell.
The worker died from his injuries, though no identity was given. We weren’t able to find any comment or mention of the accident by Pep Boys.
Map of the Pep Boys Store
Commentary:
Commentary:
I’m not sure if this company subscribes to workers’ compensation, which can make a big deal in how an accident like this plays out — legally speaking. Essentially, workers in Texas aren’t allowed to file claims against their employers to demand compensation for medical bills, lost wages, impairment, etc after a work-related accident. Instead, we use a “workers’ compensation” system that’s designed to give workers and their families automatic benefits when accidents happen.
The problem is that the benefits available to a worker’s family after a fatal accident are woefully insufficient, I’ve found. However, if the employer does not subscribe to workers’ comp coverage, or are based out of another state, there may be grounds for a claim against whoever caused the accident.
Obviously, I don’t know much about this accident because news didn’t even report on it, for some reason. But, I do know that employers have to give their workers adequate safety equipment, and the OSHA report I read mentioned only that Pep Boys was cited for not following safety protocol when it comes to mobile platforms.
— Grossman Law Offices
