Labor and Industries Worker Falls on Stairs and Later Dies

Michael Myers

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 580

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Last week L&I employee Bill Harmon fell and suffered fatal injuries at the Department's headquarters. Mr. Harmon was 87.

"Although there were no witnesses to this unfortunate situation, L&I employees heard the sounds of a fall and responded immediately. They called 9-1-1, notified building security, and took action to block the area. In addition, a number of L&I staff went to the hospital to show their support for the family," said department director Judy Schurke in a message to staff.

Even though there were no witnesses the cause of Mr. Harmon's death may be able to be determined. Security cameras may hold clues. It is also possible that the mechanism of the fall can be determined by a human factors expert or other authority in fall recreation.

In most cases Washington law requires a personal injury claimant (either the person who was hurt or, in cases like this, Mr. Harmon's estate) to be able to show what specifically caused the fall. Cases like this--that is, where there are no witnesses--are challenging but winnable.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Worksite Injury and Workers Compensation.