Granada Hills, Los Angeles — A worker tragically lost his life on Wednesday morning after a heavy machinery workplace accident at the Sunshine Canyon Landfill located at 14747 N. San Fernando Road. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the man died instantly when a piece of machinery — reportedly a backhoe — tipped over and crashed onto the machine he was operating.
The incident, classified as a major industrial accident, occurred around 9:25 a.m. and has prompted a formal investigation by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), the agency responsible for protecting workers’ safety in the state.
Were You Affected by a Similar Workplace Accident?
At Ayuda California, we represent injured workers and families impacted by workplace accidents, regardless of immigration status. The law is on your side. You have rights, and you are not alone.
What Laws Protect Workers in California?
California has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country, especially for those in high-risk sectors such as construction and heavy machinery operations.
Key protections include:
- California Occupational Safety and Health Act (California Labor Code §6300 et seq.)
Employers must maintain safe work environments, identify risks, and provide adequate training. Violations can result in fines and penalties. - Cal/OSHA Employer Liability Standards
Mandate strict safety protocols for operating heavy machinery, including regular inspections, working safety devices, and qualified supervision. - Right to Workers’ Compensation
Under California Labor Code §3700, employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage to all employees, documented or not.
If any of these laws are violated, the employer may be found grossly negligent, which could lead to civil lawsuits for additional damages.
What Compensation Can Victims and Families Receive?
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to:
- Death Benefits:
- Weekly payments to the deceased worker’s dependents (spouse, children)
- Funeral expenses up to $10,000
- Full medical coverage until death
- Negligence Lawsuits (If Safety Rules Were Ignored):
- Emotional distress damages
- Loss of future income from the deceased loved one
- Loss of companionship and family stability
- Punitive damages for gross employer negligence
Ayuda California Stands With Workers
From Ayuda California, we send our deepest condolences to the family of the worker who lost his life in Granada Hills. Tragedies like this are preventable. Many fatal workplace accidents result from lax safety protocols, poor maintenance, or inadequate supervision.
At Ayuda California, we are committed to pursuing justice for victims and thoroughly investigating any potential negligence by employers, contractors, or heavy equipment providers. We reaffirm our mission to protect the rights of hardworking people because no one should lose their life due to conditions that could have been avoided.
🔐 Everything you share is 100% confidential.
👷 We help you understand your rights and take legal action.
📞 Free consultation regardless of immigration status.
Call us today. Workplace justice belongs to you, too.
