Reports indicated that a fatal ziplining accident may have been caused by human error and that work place safety issues may be implicated.
Hawaii News Now indicates that the young woman who died – a worker at Pi-iholo Zipline - was on the zipline platform when the accident occurred. She was assisting a rider off the cable, when the safety spring activated, and both the worker and rider were thrown from the platform. The worker was not wearing a safety harness and was not tethered to the platform. Currently no law requires employees to be attached, although often companies require employees wear a harness.
In a statement, Hawaii state lawmaker Angus McKelvey notes, "It's a terrible tragedy … Reports are beginning to indicate that this is a workplace safety (issues), errors and omissions, (so) that's the area we really need to focus on."
This accident remains under investigation, with many questions surrounding how to improve ziplining safety and whether all polices and procedures were following in this instance.
When workplace accidents occur, it is crucial to speak to a Hawaii personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced injury lawyer can provide you or your family members guidance concerning work place accident laws. In some circumstances, filing a workers compensation claim is appropriate. Other times - such as where a third party may be implicated such as the provider of defective or malfunctioning equipment - it may be possible to bring a claim for negligence. A skilled Hawaii personal injury lawyer can advise you of the best steps to take in your circumstance to help you and your family recover the compensation you deserve.
Reports indicate that the number of zip line accidents has been increasing. Last year, a zipline worker sustaining fatal injuries on the Big Island following a test run.
For more information or if you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident, please consult the top Hawaii personal injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
