Santa Clara VTA employee killed in bus accident

Working for a public transit authority can involve many risks. The potential for a work injury can rest in any number of areas, given the type and size of the vehicles, and even the need for late night shift to ensure that the vehicles are properly serviced and maintained.

Recently, a VTA employee was killed when he was hit by a bus in the maintenance yard. The 62-year-old man was a 22-year veteran employee who was working his regular late-night shift. He was cleaning and fueling buses when the accident occurred. Another VTA worker was driving the bus that hit and killed the man. After the accident, he was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

Laws vary by state, but many workplace injuries are covered by worker's compensation. When an employee is injured or killed on the job, they may be entitled to those worker's comp benefits. Benefits typically include monetary compensation for replacement income and retaining, as well as medical expenses associated with treatment of the injury and compensation for any injuries that are deemed permanent. In an instance where a worker has been killed in a workplace accident, the surviving family members may be entitled to benefits. However, worker's comp generally does not cover damages for pain and suffering.

Cal-OSHA is currently investigating the accident, as well as the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. For both agencies, the investigations could take upwards of six weeks, and potentially as much as six months. The worker who was driving the bus has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.

Source: MercuryNews.com, "VTA worker dies after bizarre accident in San Jose bus yard," Mike Rosenberg, March 30, 2013