86-Year-Old FedEx Worker Killed on the Job, Cause of Death Finally Revealed

No matter how much experience a worker has at their job, or how long they have been on the job, they are still at risk of experiencing a horrible workplace accident that could result in severe disability or death. The sad truth is that even with years of experience doing a work task in a very familiar environment, a worker is at the mercy of human error, machine malfunction, and unexpected disasters that can end in catastrophe. Such was the unfortunate case last week when a longstanding and hardworking FedEx employee was horrifically killed in a workplace accident.

According to local reports, 86-year-old Verna Mae Jackson was killed at the Memphis FedEx World Hub on 2903 Sprankel Avenue in Memphis at around 11:30 p.m. in the evening on Wednesday, December 6. Jackson had been a “longtime” employee of FedEx at the World Hub, and was apparently killed after she grabbed for an envelope that she saw sticking out of a truck. Although initially reports were somewhat vague as to exactly what caused Jackson’s injuries and how the tragic accident unfolded, reports indicate that a driver of a dolly had yelled to make sure that the area was safe, and was given the signal that it was all clear. However, Jackson was, in fact, underneath the dolly, which was discovered once the dolly was moved. Although Jackson was rushed to the hospital to undergo life-saving efforts, she passed away later from her injuries.

The attorney for Ms. Jackson’s family believes that the workplace death could have been prevented, noting that he believes that the driver pulling the load of mail “didn’t honk adequately enough to signal as they were driving off just as Jackson attempted to grab an envelope that was sticking out of a container.” He also stated, “There’s technology available that would allow the vehicle to make that sound, to warn, to alert that the vehicle is about to move before it moves an inch. And if we believe those precautions had been taken, if that equipment had been purchased or maybe it was there and not maintained appropriately, she wouldn’t be dead.”

Although it remains to be seen what investigations into the terrible workplace death uncover, one thing is for certain: Verna Mae Jackson will be missed. Importantly, Jackson’s death is the fifth workplace death that has occurred at the FedEx World Hub since 2017.

Justice for Injured Workers in Mississippi

As demonstrated by Verna Mae Jackson’s tragic workplace death, workplace deaths and accidents can happen to even the most experienced and diligent of workers. If you were injured in a workplace accident in Mississippi, do not hesitate to find out about your potential entitlement to important Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits. The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your workplace accident and to see if they can help get you workers’ compensation benefits due. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe today and speak to a lawyer about your case for free.

Source:

localmemphis.com/article/news/community/worker-killed-fedex-hub-86-year-old/522-ffddf5b1-5dab-4f1d-89db-5f5c63bfed7d