On Saturday, February 1, 2014, three workers were killed and two others seriously injured when a cell phone tower collapsed in Harrison County, West Virginia. The incident occurred on Murphy’s Run Road in the Summit Park area of Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Contractors were repairing the structure of the cell phone tower when the tower collapsed, pinning the contractors in the wreckage. A volunteer fireman, 28 year-old Michael Dale Garrett of the Nutter Fort Volunteer Fire Department, was also seriously injured from a smaller tower falling minutes after the large tower fell. Garrett was transported to the hospital then later succumbed to his injuries. The two contractors who died in the incident were 32 year-old Kyle Kirkpatrick and 27 year-old Terry Lee Richard, both from Oklahoma, according to various news reports.
OSHA is now investigating the collapse of the cell towers. OSHA is concerned about the increasing number of injuries and fatalities on tower sites. According to an OSHA spokesperson, “As of September 2013, there had been a total of 14 incidents, which is more than the last two years combined.” The two companies involved in this incident, SBA Communications and SNS communications, do not have a record of safety issues. SNS Communications was doing the contract work on the towers which are owned by SBA Communications.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured on the job, the Manchin Injury Law Group can help. Contact one of our attorneys today for more information or to schedule a free consultation.
Attorney Timothy Manchin established the Manchin Injury Law Group in 2011 after his law partner of more than 25 years became a West Virginia circuit court judge. His focus is on helping individual clients and entire families victimized by negligent acts.
We offer a free initial consultation at our office in the Manchin Professional Building — our home since 1983 — conveniently located in Fairmont.
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