The Wisconsin Department of Transportation called the death of a 33-year-old man a rare incident when he was killed by machinery at the site of the Zoo Interchange project in Milwaukee. The work accident happened near 91st Street on the westbound side of Interstate 94.

Details about the type of machinery involved were not provided by the Wisconsin DOT representative. The worker’s death was confirmed to be related to work. A witness told a television reporter that the accident appeared to be near a machine that drilled holes for posts. Emergency crews worked at the scene for hours after the man was declared dead.

Union workers protesting a bill at the state Capitol heard about the death and shared a moment of silence for the worker and his family. The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office and the Sheriff’s office plan to assist with the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health investigation of the work site death.

The surviving family members of a worker who dies should expect to be compensated through the workers’ compensation system. However, there are times when the negligence of one or more parties contributed to a fatal accident in a workplace. Inadequate training or faulty machinery could be labeled negligence, and one or more companies could be held responsible. A survivor whose loved one died on the job may consider consulting a lawyer to explore the potential of a wrongful death lawsuit against one or more parties depending on the situation. Damages to pay for funeral expenses and lost income to a household are typically sought by survivors.

Source: FOX 6 Now, “Accident in the Zoo Interchange: 33-year-old construction worker killed; investigation underway,” Ashley Sears, March 1, 2015