Incident Summary
A 27-year-old subcontractor was killed on May 20, 2025, in a tragic workplace accident at the HL-GA Battery Company construction site, part of the sprawling Hyundai Metaplant development in Bryan County, Georgia. According to the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the worker, identified as Allen Kowalski of Rothbury, Michigan, died after a forklift load came loose and fell on him.
The incident occurred just before 11:00 a.m. while a forklift was loading materials onto a truck. Kowalski was on the ground nearby when the unsecured load became dislodged and struck him. Despite rapid response from emergency services, the worker was pronounced dead at the scene.
HL-GA Battery Company, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, confirmed the fatality and stated the victim was employed by a subcontractor working on the site. An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is now underway.
Potential Causes and Contributing Factors
Initial findings suggest that the forklift was actively loading a truck when the materials became unstable. Forklift accidents like this often involve breakdowns in load securing protocols, spotting procedures, or operator visibility. Key safety concerns that may be evaluated include:
- Whether the forklift operator had adequate training and certification
- If proper procedures for stabilizing and securing the load were followed
- Whether the worksite had safety personnel monitoring the loading operation
- Visibility and blind spot management for nearby ground workers
- Communication between operators and workers on foot
Because the incident occurred on a multi-employer construction site, investigators will also evaluate the safety culture, oversight practices, and potential failures by the subcontractor or general contractor managing the site.
Risks and Safety Considerations
Forklift operations are a leading cause of injury and death on construction sites. The combination of heavy loads, moving machinery, and pedestrian workers creates a dangerous environment if safety measures are not strictly enforced.
This incident underscores several critical risks:
- Unsecured loads can shift or fall, especially during elevation or truck transfer
- Spotters or flaggers are essential to protect nearby workers
- Load path clearance zones must be clearly marked and enforced
- Multi-employer sites must ensure consistent training and hazard communication
This is the second fatal forklift incident at the HL-GA facility in just two months. In March, another subcontractor was killed after being struck and dragged by a forklift on the same project site.
Legal Rights and Options
When a subcontractor is killed due to worksite safety failures, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a third-party worksite injury claim in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits. A construction accident lawyer can evaluate the facts and explain your legal options. Legal action may be appropriate if the death was caused by:
- Negligence by another contractor or entity on site
- Failure to enforce OSHA standards or known safety policies
- Use of improper equipment or inadequate training
- Absence of required safety controls such as exclusion zones or visual alarms
Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:
- The general contractor overseeing the jobsite
- The forklift operator’s employer
- The equipment rental or service company
- The facility operator if hazardous conditions were not mitigated
An experienced industrial accident lawyer can investigate the scene, secure OSHA findings, and pursue full compensation for funeral costs, lost income, and emotional damages.
Speak With an Industrial Accident Lawyer
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, our attorneys have significant experience representing workers and families affected by forklift accidents, construction accidents, and third-party negligence on industrial worksites. If your loved one was killed or seriously injured on a job site, we can help. Call 713-804-9306 today for a free consultation.