David Torres, 52, of Fall River, Died in Freetown Industrial Accident Involving Front Loader
FREETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS (October 6, 2026) – A 52-year-old man identified as David Torres has tragically died in a Freetown front loader accident at the Excel Recycling yard on Ridge Hill Road.
Freetown officials are saying that the accident occurred around 11:58 AM on October 1. Authorities responded to a 911 call about someone who had been injured after being struck by a front loader.
Paramedics arrived at the scene and found David Torres on the ground. He was reportedly suffering from significant injuries and was transported to a local area hospital.
Sadly, David Torres was beyond medical assistance and pronounced deceased at the hospital. A full investigation by the Freetown Police and OSHA remains ongoing at this time.
DiBella Law remains committed to improving public safety and increasing transparency through our Free Police Report program. If you’ve been involved in any type of accident that required a police response, we can help you get a copy of the police report created at no cost or obligation to you.
Liability for Freetown Industrial Accidents
Employers in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to uphold state and federal safety standards. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s General Duty Clause, employers must protect their workers from recognized hazards that are likely to cause substantial harm or death. This is particularly important for any workplace that makes use of industrial equipment or heavy machinery. When a worker is injured in Massachusetts, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse to workers’ compensation. It is also possible that a third party separate from a worker’s employer could be legally responsible for any accident involving construction equipment.
- Equipment Operators: A contractor or vendor separate from the company that they work with could be legally responsible for an accident if one of their employees acted negligently and struck someone with equipment.
- Equipment Manufacturer: The company that manufactured a piece of construction equipment could also potentially face liability if that equipment was defective in some way. In particular, most pieces of heavy equipment require backup alarms and other safety features.
- Property Owner: A property owner outside of the employer could face liability if an accident was caused by a dangerous condition that created a foreseeable risk of harm.
When the operator of any piece of industrial equipment fails to check their surroundings and hits a pedestrian, this could be construed as negligence. Consider, for example, Colter v. Barber-Greene Co. (1988). This case involved a worker who sustained a severe arm injury after his jacket got caught by the exposed gears of a sand processing machine. The plaintiff’s legal counsel argued that the machine was negligently designed due to the exposed gears.
Preventing Front Loader Accidents and Seeking Accountability
Many workers are seriously injured or killed every year in preventable industrial accidents. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 369 deaths involving pedestrians that were hit by motorized work vehicles in 2024. This was nearly a 20% increase from the previous year. This figure highlights the hazards that workers routinely deal with at construction sites, recycling yards, and other areas that utilize heavy machinery. Employers should take a number of different actions to prevent workers from being hit by front loaders and other heavy equipment.
- Protected Routes: Employers should do everything in their power to create protected walking routes that separate pedestrians from heavy equipment.
- Communication: Employers should require heavy equipment operators to clearly communicate with all people around them before they begin moving.
- Maintenance: Employers should ensure that front loaders and other heavy equipment are routinely inspected and well-maintained. In particular, the horn and backup alarms should be assessed daily.
Work sites that utilize heavy equipment can be very dangerous by their nature. But most of the major hazards that workers face can be mitigated when OSHA safety regulations are being followed. Unfortunately, many companies have chosen to view the safety guidelines as optional. They may choose to focus on practices that favor efficiency over safety. The family of any worker killed in an industrial accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Massachusetts Industrial Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of David Torres. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. This was a preventable tragedy that should’ve never occurred. It also raises a number of important safety questions that need to be addressed. What was the on-site safety plan related to heavy equipment? Were all of the alarms and safety features on this front loader functioning properly? Is there a history of close calls or other accidents at this location?
Do you need more information about a Massachusetts workplace accident? Our team of workers’ rights advocates is here for you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that employers are doing everything in their power to keep their workers safe. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique facts of any case, we may be able to assist you. You’re always welcome to contact us anytime at (855) 649-2674.