A 49-year-old Rainbow man died Tuesday when he slipped into a commercial wood chipper in a Fallbrook avocado grove, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department reported. The accident was reported at 3:20 p.m. on December 14, 2010 in Rainbow, about 40 miles north of San Diego. Prior to the accident, the victim, Martimiano Morales Carreon, had been working to clear trees with his adult son. He reportedly was using his foot to push brush into the chipper when he lost his balance and was pulled into the machine. His son turned off the machine, but Carreon suffered severe injuries and died at the scene of the accident.
What Caused this Accident?
The cause of this accident, which occurred at 9329 Moon Ridge Road in Rainbow is being investigated by the Department of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety & Health (Cal OSHA).
Industrial Accident Wrongful Death Liability
The news reports of this incident raise questions about the adequacy of the product's design. Could the manufacturer of the wood chipper have anticipated this accident could foreseeably happen? Was Carreon properly trained in the use of the machinery? Was the machine properly maintained? It is possible that the family members of Martimiano Carreon may have a valid wrongful death claim and may be entitled to compensation for their loss, including funeral expenses, loss of anticipated lifetime earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care, and companionship of family members. In fatal industrial accidents such as this Rainbow wood chipper accident, the family members of the victim may benefit from speaking to a San Diego wrongful death attorney about the accident and their legal rights and options to pursue compensation for their devastating loss.
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