Pedro Pereira, Electrical Contractor, Died in an Accident After Falling From Two-Story Structure Under Construction on Old South Road in Nantucket
NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS (January 11, 2026) – A 52-year-old worker at Nantucket Electrical Contractors has tragically died in a construction site accident at a property on Old South Road in Nantucket.
Nantucket County officials are saying that the accident took place on Tuesday. Pedro Pereira was working at a two-story property when he fell for undetermined reasons.
He hit a concrete pad and sustained critical injuries to his spine, neck, and head. Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim.
He was rushed to Nantucket Cottage Hospital before being airlifted to Boston Hospital. Despite life-saving measures, Pedro Pereira later died at the hospital.
He is survived by a wife and four children. His nephew Edgardo Pereira told reporters that he had a large extended family that was very tight-knit.
Prior to the tragedy, the victim also worked as a schoolteacher and principal in El Salvador. You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe.
A full investigation by OSHA remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Nantucket Workplace Accidents
All employers in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to maintain work sites in a reasonably safe condition. They must protect workers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. Pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1), every employer “shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Employers should take several actions to prevent their workers from being injured in falls.
- Fall Protection: As required by OSHA 29 CFR §1926.501, workers must have fall protection when they are working at heights of 6 feet or more above a lower level. They should also have fall protection if they are working on edges, roofs, or skylights.
- Guardrails: Employers must also take certain actions to physically secure worksites. This may include installing guardrails in areas with open sides. Any openings in the floor should also be covered to prevent accidental falls.
- Training: Employers must adequately train their workers to recognize and avoid potential hazards that could lead to falls. These hazards include unsafe scaffolds and unprotected edges.
- Safe Surfaces: OSHA regulations require that worksites be maintained in a reasonably safe condition and free from potential tripping hazards. They should also be adequately lit. Walking surfaces should be either dry or slip-resistant.
When a worker is injured or killed on the job in Massachusetts, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to help injured workers and their families. There is no need for an injured worker to demonstrate that one party or the other was at fault under this system. In addition to workers’ compensation, the family of any worker killed in an accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident.
Third-Party Liability Claims for Nantucket Worksite Fall Accidents
Falls remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death in the construction industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2023, about 1 in 5 (20.8 percent) workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry and 38.5 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. The construction industry accounted for 47.8 percent of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2023.” There could be several sources of third-party liability for any accident where a worker falls.
- General Contractor: A general contractor could face liability when a worker is injured or killed if they failed to maintain a worksite in a reasonably safe condition. For example, they may have failed to provide personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) or safety features such as guardrails that would’ve prevented a fall.
- Property Owner: A property owner could also be liable for any accident where a contractor is injured if their negligence created hazardous conditions at a job site.
- Subcontractors: Construction projects are typically made up of a blend of different subcontractors that must all work together towards the same goal. One of these subcontractors could potentially be liable if they created a dangerous condition. This may include leaving openings unprotected.
A number of lawsuits have been filed after workers were seriously injured or killed in fall accidents at Massachusetts construction sites. Consider, for example, Corsetti v. Stone Co., 396 Mass. 1 (1985). A stone mason was seriously injured when a scaffolding side bracket failed and caused him to fall 40 feet. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the general contractor failed to use appropriate safety equipment. In that scaffolding construction accident case, the court held that the question of liability for the general contractor must ultimately be decided by a jury.
Investigating Nantucket Construction Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Pedro Pereira. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be prevented. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. What is the safety record of the corporate contractor at this site? Was the victim provided with fall protection? Were there open holes or other hazards at this job site? Were any guardrails in place around this structure?
Do you need more information about a workplace accident? Our team of workers’ rights advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping workers understand their rights and protecting those rights through skilled advocacy. No person should ever have to make a choice between their own safety and earning a living. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You are always welcome to contact us anytime at (617) 870-0907.