Jacksonville’s Blount Island Lands Death in the New Year
On February 25th, a young male, Timothy Middlebrooks was clearing the way for the forklift holding pallets on Blount Island, a Jaxport-owned island, when the pallet began to destabilize. The forklift was moving 500 pounds of paper product at the time; however, as Middlebrooks was walking by, some of the product fell from the pallet, striking him. Sadly, Middlebrooks suffered a major head injury and passed away shortly after.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and OSHA were investigating the incident from every angle. While the land is JaxPort’s, the warehouse was leased to SSA at JaxPort. Fortunately, the driver of the forklift was cooperative throughout the process. Middlebrooks was performing his normal longshoreman duties for SSA as he cleared the way.
Middlebrooks was the third generation of his family to work as a Longshoreman. He joined the International Longshoremen’s Association shortly before the incident and hoped to make a career out of the role.
Unfortunately, Middlebrooks was the third fatality or serious injury since 2018 at the SSA in JaxPort. OSHA had previously cited the company for violations regarding the cargo and pallet stocking. Since the accident in February, the SSA is ramping up safety training for all employees, to lower the risks.
In 2021, Jaxport saw two accidents, one of which resulted in death. The death in 2021 involved a contractor being hit by a truck at 9620 Dave Rawls Blvd.
OSHA updates will be added as the story develops.
References:
Action News Jax. (2022, February 28). Man dies after being struck in the head by pallets of paper at Warehouse on Blount Island. Action News Jax. Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/duval-county/jacksonville-police-responding-work-related-accident-blount-island/RELUBZEWQVB75APD743OIJUTMY/
Beninate, R. (2022, February 28). Man dies in industrial accident at Blount Island Warehouse, police say. News4JAX. Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2022/02/25/jacksonville-police-to-address-work-related-accident-at-blount-island-terminal/
Beninate, R. (2022, March 3). 18-year-old killed in warehouse accident was following stepfather’s career path. News4JAX. Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2022/03/01/18-year-old-killed-in-warehouse-accident-was-following-fathers-career-path/
In a personal injury accident? Then call TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law at (727) 398-2900 in Pinellas/Pasco/Polk/Orange/Osceola/Seminole County, for an immediate, confidential case evaluation. Indeed, there is NO Fee and NO Costs if we do not obtain a Recover for YOU!
At the TRIPP LAW FIRM, we have the necessary experience to protect you and your family’s legal rights and pursue the appropriate damages. Thus, don’t hesitate to call us. We answer our phones 24/7/365. The injury law team and staff private investigators at the TRIPP LAW FIRM are ready on a moment’s notice.
TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law – Available 24/7
TOLL FREE: (888) 392-LAWS (5297)
www.TrippFirm.com
Relevant Practice Areas
Leave a Reply