Lumberjack Killed by A Falling Tree

A grandfather of eight lost his life when a heavy tree fell on him this week as he worked as a lumberjack in Bedford County, Virginia (VA).

The Bedford Sheriff's Department said Jake R. Goff , 72, of Sky Rock Road died while logging with a coworker in the vicinity of Wheats Valley Road, Roanoke.com reported. A co-worker said Mr. Goff had been alone and downing a tree with a chainsaw when the accident occurred, authorities reported.  The Virginia Department of Labor will investigate the incident.

It appeared that when the tree fell, it collided with another tree and a limb from the second struck the victim, the sheriff's office said.  Goff worked for Goff Logging of Big Island, Virginia. Goff's death reminds us that industrial accidents can prove deadly all too often. Our thoughts are with the family of the victim. They can also result in lawsuits.

Last year we reported on how a worker suffered a serious leg injury Caldwell County, North Carolina (NC) when a log skidder used for logging, overturned and fell down an embankment, crushing him

About 1.6 million industrial accidents occur in the United States each year resulting in minor-to-disabling injuries and death. These numbers are far too high. Too many hard-working men and women suffer horrendous injuries or die while on the job in these types of accidents.

In some case these accidents and other industrial hazards can result in wrongful death lawsuits. In one recent case our firm secured an $8.6 million verdict in the wrongful death case of a brakeman/switchman who lost his life to lung cancer following a five year battle, after being exposed to asbestos, diesel fumes, and radiation during his 40 year career as a brakeman/switchman with L & N/CSX, mainly in and around Knoxville, Tennessee (TN). 

DM