Geradio Juarez, 41, a maintenance worker, sustained fatal personal injuries in an on-the-job accident early morning on November 12, 2009, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. Juarez was found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool at the East Valley YMCA in North Hollywood, Los Angeles fire officials who responded to the call said. Workers apparently called 911 and waited for help to arrive because they did not know how to swim, officials said. Juarez was brought out of the water and pronounced dead at the scene. The Coroner's officer is investigating the cause, time and manner of Juarez's death.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Geradio Juarez. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep his grieving family in your prayers.

Fatal Workplace Injury

Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this fatal job injury occurred. There are many questions that are still unanswered here. What was Juarez working on at the time of the accident? How did he fall and drown in swimming pool? Did he have the required training to do his job? Was his death the result of a defective product or equipment malfunction or failure? Were all safety procedures followed here? Hopefully, Juarez's family will get some answers in this case. It is also disturbing to note that none of his co-workers could help him because they did not know how to swim. This does not seem like a safe work environment to me.

Juarez and his family will be entitled to receive California worker's compensation benefits. However, in cases where workers suffer major injuries or die, these benefits hardly offer enough compensation for medical expenses or loss of wages. In such cases, victims or their families may be able to file a "third party claim." This is usually a claim that is filed against a contractor, sub-contractor or the manufacturer of a defective product. This is typically worth 20 times more than worker's compensation benefits.

An Experienced Job Injury Lawyer Can Help

Juarez's family would be well-advised to consult a reputed personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, who is experienced in handling third party claims on behalf of injured workers and their families. Employers usually get attorneys and insurance companies on their side right away to defend their actions and protect their interests. Workers and their families also need an experienced and knowledgeable injury lawyer on their side right away to fight for their rights and protect their interests.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.