Every day in the United States, 15 workers die from occupational injuries. Before this year is over, thousands of workers will be killed on the job and millions will be injured or stricken with occupational illness. Most of these deaths will occur one at a time and go largely unnoticed except by family, friends and coworkers. Each of these deaths is an unnecessary tragedy.
According to the Wisconsin Workers' Compenation Division, there were 85 workplace fatalities last year, but we have the names of only 52. Listed below are the names of Wisconsin workers, that WisCOSH was able to obtain, who lost their lives in 2005 to worklace injury or occupational disease. This report is dedicated to all of those who have lost their lives due to workplace injuries or disease.
As of August 28, 2006, the Iraq War has claimed the lives of 2634 U.S. soldiers, including 2137 in combat. The 497 non-combat deaths include everything from vehichle and firearms accidents to drownings and suicides. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 19,890 soldiers have been wounded in action. But that number may actuallt be as high as 48,000 when you include those treated for injuries, illnesses and psychological trauma.
The war in Iraq has the potential to claim many more U.S. and Iraqi casualties, both military ans civilian. Fifty-nine Wisconsin troops have been killed in Iraq. At Workers Memorial Day 2005 WisCOSH began recognizing these men and women who are are mothers and fathers, brothers and sister, sons and daughters of ours who are doing a difficult job without many of the workplace rights and protections that cover workers in traditional workplaces. Twenty-seven have died since the start of 2005. Their names and branch of service are listed below as well.
If you have lost a loved one to occupational illness or a death in the workplace and are looking for some help figuring out what to do, where to start, who to contact then the United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities may be of help. This web site is run by a woman, and her family, who lost her brother to a workplace fatality. They provide support, awareness, tributes, memorials, article, self-help, workers comp. laws, wrongful death attorneys and safety resources. And most of all they care! They listen!
| Name of Worker Date of Death |
Name of Worker Date of Death |
Name of Worker Date of Death |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon James Atherton 10/16 |
Timothy R. Baker 6/10 |
Corrine D. Bartels 3/23 |
| Thomas G. Bolan 10/24 |
Kevin D. Brown 11/11 |
Ian Clipsham 4/19 |
| Chad Dooley 8/20 |
David Farra 7/14 |
Angelica Flores 7/16 |
| Duane Harzke 12/15 |
Harley Hattamer 9/21 |
Robert W. Hege 7/26 |
| Charles J. Jakel 12/08 |
Kevin H. Jatczak 3/08 |
Gerald C. Jensen 1/27 |
| Francis Jernigan 9/14 |
Peter W. Johnson 6/21 |
Todd Johnson 9/8 |
| David Kekesi 9/13 |
James Kingsbury 10/22 |
David P. Koch 5/25 |
| Kathryn Leow 1/6 |
Rosie Liners 9/1 |
Daniel Ludeman 9/15 |
| Lawrence K. Lundberg 10/6 |
Michael V. Mathwich 8/16 |
Dennis Mitchell 8/1 |
| Duane H. Nobs 6/19 |
Dean Oberdas 7/12 |
James Pietrzak 7/12 |
| Harvey Ponozzo 8/2 |
Marion Powell 5/25 |
David A. Randall 5/23 |
| Paul V. Rasmus 10/16 |
Joshua Reif 12/6 |
Paul Riddle 2/4 |
| Jose R. Rincon 9/11 |
Scott Roberts 2/4 |
Vance Roberts 2/4 |
| Brad Rogers 7/18 |
Kevin Saeger 3/10 |
Jason W. Schmoller 10/26 |
| Billy Jo Smith 10/14 |
Linda M. Smith 10/25 |
Daniel L. Smolen 8/9 |
| Roger A. Swanson 4/1 |
Michael R. Tabbert 12/28 |
Edward A. Topper 7/22 |
| Theresa Ann Vallery 10/17 |
Brian A. Voltz 9/18 |
John A. Wachholz 5/12 |
| Gregory A. Wormet 7/25 |
Army Pfc. Sean Novak 8/27 |
Marine Sgt. Andy A. Stevens 12/1 |
| Army Spc. John O. Tollefson 7/27 |
Army Spc. Ryan Jopek 8/1 |
Army Pfc. Anthony Alex Gaunky 11/18 |
| Army Spc. Charles A. Kaufman 6/26 |
Army Spc. 4 Steve Castner 7/24 |
Army Pfc. Benjamin A. Smith 11/2 |
| Marine Lance Cpl. John J. Mattek, Jr. 6/13 |
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jaime S. Jaime S. Jaenke 6/5 |
Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew R. Kading 11/1 |
| Army Spc. Eric Poelman 6/5 |
Army Pfc. Grant Allen Dampier 5/15 |
Army Spc Michael Wendling 9/26 |
| Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Scott 5/27 |
Army Pfc. Eric D. Clark 5/11 |
Army Sgt. Andy Wallace 9/26 |
| Army Sgt. Mark Maida 5/26 |
Army Sgt. Nathan J. Vacho 5/5 |
Army Sgt. 1st Class Trevor J. Diesling 8/25 |
| Army Sgt. Andrew L. Bossert 3/7 |
Marine Lance Cpl. Eric A. Palmisano 4/2 |
Marine Staff Sgt. Chad J. Simon 8/4 |
| Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald W. Eacho 3/4 |
Marine Lance Cpl. Adam J. Van Alstine 2/25 |
Army Capt. Benjamin D. Jansky 7/27 |
| Marine Lance Cpl. Travis M. Wichlacz 2/5 |
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If you have a name of someone who died on the job in 2005, please forward it to WisCOSH so that we may include it in our memorial. Please include the date, city/town and cause if you know it.