MODOT Worker Killed in Tragic Accident
Jeffrey McBride, a 37 year old MODOT employee from Arcadia, Missouri was tragically killed Friday in a freak accident involving a piece of machinery. According to witnesses, Mr. McBride's clothing got caught in the drive shaft of a salt spreading machine that was affixed to a MODOT dump truck. This incident occurred at a service lot near Highway 55 and MM near Barnhart, Missouri.
Mr. McBride was transported to St. Anthony's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from his personal injuries.
In this tragic incident, Mr. McBride's family will be able to file a claim for workers compensation since he was a Missouri worker. In addition, the Missouri personal injury lawyer that helps this family should take a close look at this salt spreading device. I have handled many wrongful death claims involving product liability and this incident is very suspect. Any drive shaft or shaft that turns should have a protective shield to protect people. It is unknown whether this particular device had a protective shield or adequate warnings to warn of this danger.
In Missouri, manufacturers of products that are defective in terms of lack of warning or safety devices are held strictly liable for any and all damage their defective product causes, including personal injury or wrongful death. Strict liability means the claimant does not have to prove fault or negligence. The claimant must only prove that the incident happened and the manufacturer was responsible.
Product liability is a very complex area of law and is only handled by a very few lawyers in the St. Louis area.
