Man Tragically Killed in Wood Chipper Accident: Family Sues Manufacturer
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In a heartbreaking incident, a 22-year-old man lost his life in July 2024 while operating a wood chipper at a cemetery in New Jersey. Eonias Mateo-Perez was tragically pulled into the wood chipper, leading to his untimely death. The authorities at the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office reported that Mateo-Perez was found deceased on July 10, 2024, at Saint Magdalen Cemetery in Flemington following a distress call.
According to initial findings by authorities, Mateo-Perez’s death was deemed accidental, with the cause being attributed to injuries sustained while using the tree-chipping equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was to conduct a further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
In response to the devastating loss, Mateo-Perez’s family has taken legal action by filing a lawsuit against the wood chipper’s manufacturer, Bandit Industries. The lawsuit, lodged with the Superior Court of New Jersey on October 21, alleges that Mateo-Perez suffered fatal injuries due to the alleged defectiveness of the wood chipper. The family asserts that the machine lacked crucial safety features and warnings necessary for its proper operation.
The complaint detailed that Mateo-Perez, an employee of William LaRue Services, was operating the wood chipper when the fatal incident occurred. It described how he was drawn into the machine while feeding trees into it, resulting in his tragic death. The family’s legal representation argues that Bandit Industries failed to provide adequate safeguards and warnings, ultimately leading to Mateo-Perez’s demise.
The lawsuit accuses the manufacturer of negligence in failing to adequately warn consumers about the potential dangers of the wood chipper and not implementing safer design features that could have prevented such a tragic outcome. As a result of the alleged shortcomings by Bandit Industries, the complaint claims that Mateo-Perez suffered fatal harm and economic losses, prompting the family to seek justice through a trial by jury.
Mateo-Perez, originally from Guatemala, resided in Flemington at the time of his passing. His attorney, Bruce Nagel, described him as a hardworking young man who met a tragic end while carrying out his duties. The family’s pursuit of legal action aims to hold the manufacturer accountable for the devastating loss and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Efforts to seek comments from Bandit Industries, OSHA, and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office regarding the lawsuit and the circumstances of Mateo-Perez’s death are currently underway. The lawsuit serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of workplace safety measures and the repercussions of product defects on individuals and their families. The legal proceedings will hopefully shed light on the events leading to Mateo-Perez’s tragic demise and ensure accountability for any oversights that contributed to the devastating incident.