Legal news for Virginia personal injury attorneys. A teen was killed while feeding debris into a wood chipper.
Virginia personal injury attorney alerts-A teenager is dead after being pulled into a woodworking machine.
Hampton Roads, VA—A 14-year-old boy was killed instantly when he was pulled into a commercial wood chipper while feeding debris into the machinery on Sunday, November 22,2009. The Poquoson teenager was found dead around 3:15 p.m., on Wagner Road, as reported by the Daily Press.
Frank Anthony Gornick, 14, was working with two other workers from Old Dominion Tree and Lawn Care piling up debris to be fed into the wood chipper. Both workers were away from the chipper when Gornick was probably shoving the debris with a shovel into the wood chipper when he was dragged in completely. When the workers heard the wood chipper make an unusual sound, they rushed over to help Gornick. The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police investigators later found the shovel Gornick was using inside the chipper. The teen was reportedly working for the company to make extra money, it is unknown if he was actually an employee. The company is owned by Robert “Bobby” Strickland, who took the boy into their home when his parents passed away. According to Virginia child labor laws, anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited to use “any power driven woodworking machines.” The definition of a wood chipper causes the machinery to fall in that category. Police officials will decide if criminal charges will be pressed after the completion of an autopsy report. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) http://www.osha.gov/ are expected to conduct an investigation.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Virginia personal injury lawyers.
