Casen Garcia Killed In Tyson Foods Electrocution Accident In Joslin

Wrongful Death - July 16, 2022

Casen Garcia, 22, Died In Electrocution Accident While Working At Tyson Fresh Meats In Joslin

JOSLIN, ILLINOIS (July 16, 2022) – A 22-year-old Tyson Foods machine maintenance worker identified as Casen Garcia has died in a workplace electrocution accident.

Rock Island County officials are saying that the accident took place on Saturday, July 9. Casen Garcia was working his morning shift at Tyson Foods and doing maintenance work on the machines.

At some point during his shift, the maintenance worker was electrocuted by a hoist wiring on a winch. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.

Sadly, Casen Garcia was beyond medical aid and died due to the severity of his injuries. The victim’s mother is saying that poor work conditions at Tyson Foods contributed to her son’s death.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time. Casen Garcia is survived by his girlfriend Jessica Rocha-Alvarado and his 14-month old son Arsi.

It remains unknown if any safety violations contributed to the accident. One Tyson Food safety plant faces a $339K fine after 59 serious safety violations.

Liability In Joslin Workplace Electrocution Accidents

Electrocution accidents in the workplace are far more common than many people realize. OSHA ranks them as one of the “fatal four” causes of workplace death. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI),” There were 126 electrical fatalities in 2020. A 24% decrease over 2019 and the lowest number of electrical fatalities recorded (recording started in 2003).” Hispanic workers tend to be the most at risk and accounted for around 40% of all electrical fatalities. There are a number of safety standards that companies should implement in order to protect workers from electrical hazards.

• Worker’s should be trained in the proper lockout/tagout procedures for machines.
• Most machines, circuit boards and other electrical hazards should be de-energized before they are worked on.
• Worker’s should be properly trained to identify potential electrical hazards.
• Certain machines will need ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

When a worker is killed on the job, surviving family members such as a spouse or children will typically have recourse through Illinois’ worker’s compensation system. Worker’s compensation is based off of a no-fault insurance plan. There is no need for an injured worker or their family to show negligence in order to receive benefits. Depending on the facts of any case, family members of a deceased worker may also be able to pursue a third party liability claim. A third party liability claim is possible when an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident.

There could be numerous potential sources of third party liability for any electrocution accident at a meat processing plant. A general contractor could be liable for failing to disclose the location of an electrical hazard. One worker in Illinois was killed after his jackhammer hit an undisclosed electrical box. The company that manufactured a piece of machinery that became electrified could also be held at fault. Many machines are required to have some insulation to protect workers against electrical shock. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any workplace accident.

• Surveillance footage should be sought.
• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Safety violations for the business should be reviewed.
• A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.

The family of any worker that is killed at their job may be able to seek aid through a wrongful death claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and many of the expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Sadly, though, insurance providers and companies will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any worker’s death. That is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and get to the bottom of what caused an accident.

Investigating A Joslin Workplace Electrocution Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Casen Garcia. This is particularly tragic given that he leaves behind such a young child. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family. Worker safety should always be the top priority for every company. But far too often it takes a backseat to profits.

Do you need more information about a Tyson Foods workplace accident? Our team of worker safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that corporations are doing everything in their power to help keep workers safe. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.