Contractor Sentenced to Three Years in Prison Following Employee Death

December 17, 2019

On November 3, 2017, Gerardo Juarez began his first day of work for James Coon Construction. The next day Juarez fell from a roof he was repairing, suffering injuries which later proved fatal. Following the accident, James Coon, owner of Coon Construction, pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and workers’ compensation fraud and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Coon Construction was hired to repair a roof at a three-story apartment complex in Akron, Ohio. New-hire Juarez was placed on the crew tasked with making the repairs. After two years of criminal litigation following the accident, it was discovered Coon did not provide Juarez with safety equipment adequate for work performed at such height, which is a felony. Evidence suggested that his fall could have been prevented had he been wearing adequate fall protection. Coon also failed to provide workers’ compensation coverage, another felony.

Criminal prosecution for failure to provide a safe environment for employees is an increasing trend. Federal law requires employers to instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the systems applicable to his or her work environment to control any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.  Failure to follow applicable safety laws and provide workers’ compensation insurance as required by law can expose employers to possible criminal action.