Jesus Salazar, a 66-year-old man, died at Pitman Family Farms in Sanger, CA. Salazar likely died from drowning.
Sanger Fire Chief Greg Tarascou said crews arrived and found the farmworker had fallen in a holding tank on the farm where he worked. There was no further information on specific cause, whether he died from trauma or whether he had a medical episode.
According to the Fresno Bee, Mr. Salazar was pronounced dead at the scene before 6:00 AM on Sunday, May 7, 2023. There is a pending autopsy, but details may take weeks or months to verify what exactly happened.
Safety at farms throughout Fresno is a serious matter. Fresno County produced more than $8 billion in agricultural production in 2021, but that came at a cost. The National Ag Safety Database (NASD) reported more than 5,000 incidents of farm worker injuries over a five-year period. Of those, 85% were male, 134 resulted in death, and 319 resulted in hospitalizations.
In 2019, it was reported that 100 agricultural laborers per day cannot return to work because of an injury they sustained while working.
In the City of Sanger, which is located in Fresno County, there have been many other instances of farm worker deaths resulting from negligence on the part of the farm and its management. In 2021, an 82-year-old man died after a farm accident while working in an almond orchard. He was crushed by a tractor.
“Jesus Salazar was one of the countless individuals who died so the rest of us could eat,” said attorney Gerald Singleton of Singleton Schreiber. “Farm workers are constantly in a battle over worker safety, and this is one more tragic example of just how important that fight is.”
Anyone seeking a farm worker injury attorney should contact Singleton Schreiber at 559-702-0846 or email at info@singletonschreiber.com.
Sanger Farmer Worker Drowning Death
Throughout Fresno County, CA, farm workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the country. Every year, numerous farm workers suffer from serious injuries, illnesses, and even death as a result of their work in the fields. These deaths not only affect the families and loved ones of the workers, but also raise concerns about the safety and welfare of these vulnerable and often marginalized members of society.
Many factors contribute to the high rate of farm worker deaths in Fresno County. These workers are often exposed to extreme heat, toxic pesticides and chemicals, and dangerous machinery, all of which can lead to serious health issues or even death. Additionally, many farm workers lack access to adequate healthcare and safety training, making them particularly vulnerable to workplace hazards.
Another notable incident that drew attention to the dangers faced by Fresno farm workers occurred in 2018. On August 15th of that year, two farm workers were killed and several others were injured after they were struck by a truck while working in a vineyard in Fresno County. The workers were part of a group that had been picking grapes when a truck driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into them.
Following the incident, local organizations and advocacy groups pushed for stronger regulations to improve safety for farm workers. Some of the proposed changes include mandating safety training for all farm workers, increasing the penalties for companies that violate safety regulations, and implementing stricter rules around the use of heavy machinery in the fields.
However, many challenges remain in addressing the issue of farm worker deaths in Fresno County. The agricultural industry is a vital part of the local economy, and many growers resist efforts to impose stricter regulations, arguing that they would increase costs and harm their ability to compete.
Those injured in farming “accidents” may have rights they aren’t aware of, such as the right to compensation. This man likely has a spouse, children and potentially grandchildren who may have depended on him to meet their basic needs.
“This man’s family is likely in a great deal of pain,” Mr. Singleton added. “They deserve an advocate who will help them navigate the next steps in the legal process. Outside of a criminal investigation, there will be potential for civil litigation and those individuals will likely be eligible for some form of compensation.”
Anyone injured in a farm accident should contact a Sanger farm injury lawyer at Singleton Schreiber by calling 559-702-0846 or email at info@singletonschreiber.com.
