Chance Wilcox Killed in Work Accident near Odessa, TX
Andrews County, TX — January 24, 2024, Chance Wilcox was killed as the result of a work accident at around 6:00 p.m. off Highway 349.
Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that the incident took place a few miles north of Midland-Odessa, west of TX-349.
It appears that 24-year-old Chance Wilcox was by a forklift which authorities say made contact with live power lines. Chance Wilcox made contact with the forklift, and he was electrocuted as a result. There were no other reported injuries.
In the OSHA summary, two alleged violations were listed with recommended penalties over $19,000. Right now, additional details are unavailable.
Commentary by Michael Grossman
A lot of people think that work accidents are a matter of OSHA looking into things, and that's how families get the closure they need. The reality is Texas has the most complex work fatality laws of any other state in the country. Despite what many believe, there isn't always an automatic path to getting families benefits after an accident. It sometimes takes extended legal action, and that maze requires evidence and strategy OSHA alone isn't likely to provide.
So while OSHA may have done their job in relation to this accident, that wasn't likely the end of the story. The end of the story comes when a worker's family gets the answers and the resolution they deserve. Did that ever happen here?
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