This past August a worker employed with the Town of Wingate Public Works Department, in Wingate, North Carolina, died after an accident that took place while she was using a town lawn mower. The tragic accident occurred as the 48-year-old woman rode the lawn mower on a slope near a drainage culvert along West Elm Street. At some point the mower flipped and landed on top of her. Shortly after the fatal accident the North Carolina Department of Labor launched an investigation.

While it is not clear what caused the lawn mower to flip, the report provided by the North Carolina Department of Labor indicates the lawn mower may not have been built to use on the steep slope. The Bad Boy zero-turn commercial lawn mower is meant to be utilized on a slope of 5 degrees or less. The slope she was on at the time of the accident was between 10 and 15 degrees.

As a result of the North Carolina Department of Labor's investigation, the town of Wingate has been fined $2,100 for violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina. In addition to inappropriate equipment being used, the report found the town had not provided training to employees on how to safely operate that particular mower. Once received, the money will be added to the state's Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund. Money from that account is distributed to public schools throughout North Carolina.

Should the family of the woman decide to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it is possible that the accident will result in the town paying more than just the fine. We will continue to monitor this case and post updates as they become available.

Source: WBTV.com, "Town fined by state after woman dies in lawnmower accident," Oct. 13, 2011