A 19-year-old female construction worker, Destiny Rodriguez, was killed Monday in a work-related accident in West Bexar County. The fatality was reported around 10:30 a.m. at a construction site in the 13700 block of Portranco Road, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
A sheriff’s deputy at the scene said that a backhoe operator didn’t know the victim was at the bottom of a 15-foot hole when he dropped the digger into the hole, killing her. Members of the victim’s family told news media that the victim’s name was Destiny Rodriguez.
Family members also said Rodriguez was at the bottom of the hole with her brother, who was also working, but he had just climbed out to get another pipe, when Rodriguez was killed. The family said the name of the company Rodriguez worked for is Step It Up Construction. According to an OSHA web site, the company had already been cited twice for two serious violations, including a safety violation and a water and sewer line violation.
A spokesman with the U.S. Department of Labor has confirmed that OSHA has started an investigation into this incident.
Work related accidents and/or deaths are usually due to the negligence of the company in avoiding basic safety procedures and due to the negligence of co-employees, in which they can be held liable personally as well as through their employers.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a construction accident in which the various safety systems were ignored and failed to adequately protect you, you may have a potential claim for damages against the product manufacturer and/or employer. The law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is the oldest personal injury firm in Texas, and our experienced attorneys are standing by to assist with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211 for your free consultation.