A 31-year-old landscaper from Central Islip died on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, after the tree trimmer he was using contacted overhead power lines in the backyard of a Hauppauge home. As a Long Island wrongful death lawyer team that represents injured workers and grieving families across Suffolk County, we want to share what is known about this tragedy, why electrical contact and ladder falls remain so dangerous for outdoor workers, and what rights the families of workers killed on the job may have under New York law.
Our thoughts are with the family, friends and co-workers of the man who lost his life.
What Happened in Hauppauge
According to Suffolk County police, as reported by Patch, the worker was trimming trees at about 10:30 a.m. in the backyard of a home at 2 Richwood Lane in Hauppauge when his tree trimmer came into contact with power lines. He was electrocuted and fell from a 16-foot ladder.
He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police identified him as Darwin Morales-Martines, 31, of Central Islip. Long Island Life & Politics reported that Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death, which is standard practice for workplace fatalities in the county. Greater Long Island reported that police did not release further details.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation, and no findings about fault have been announced.
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Why Electrocution and Ladder Falls Are So Dangerous for Landscapers and Tree Workers
Tree trimming near overhead lines combines two of the most serious hazards in outdoor work: electrical contact and working at height. A worker on a ladder who receives a shock can lose control and fall, so a single moment can lead to both electrical injuries and fall injuries. Landscaping work carries other serious risks as well, as we noted after a pedestrian was killed by a backing landscaping truck in nearby Dix Hills.
Federal safety guidance is clear about the risk. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s tree trimming safety fact sheet tells workers to “assume that all power lines are energized,” to contact the utility about de-energizing, grounding or shielding lines before work begins, and states that tree work within ten feet of a power line must be done by trained line-clearance trimmers. OSHA’s tree trimming and removal guidance also covers hazard assessment, equipment and safe work practices for this type of job.
Common factors in electrocution and ladder-fall incidents on residential job sites can include:
- Using long-reach or pole tools near energized overhead lines
- Lack of training on minimum approach distances to power lines
- No pre-job hazard survey to identify lines running through trees
- Working from ladders instead of aerial lifts or other safer equipment
- Pressure to finish jobs quickly during busy fall cleanup season
These are general risk factors. It is not known which, if any, played a role in the Hauppauge incident.
Your Legal Rights in New York After a Fatal Work Accident
When a worker dies on the job, families often face two separate legal paths at once. An experienced Long Island workers’ compensation lawyer and wrongful death attorney can help a family understand both.
Workers’ compensation death benefits
In New York, workers’ compensation generally provides death benefits to a surviving spouse and dependents of a worker killed on the job, along with funeral expenses up to a limit set by law. In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against the employer, which means families usually cannot sue the employer directly. Workers’ compensation claims have their own notice and filing deadlines, so it is important to act promptly. You can learn more from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.
Third-party wrongful death claims
Workers’ compensation does not prevent a family from pursuing a third party work injury claim against someone other than the employer whose negligence may have contributed to the death. Depending on the facts of a case, potential third parties can include property owners, general contractors, equipment manufacturers, or other companies responsible for site conditions. Whether any third party is responsible depends entirely on the evidence gathered after a careful investigation.
New York’s Labor Law offers strong protections for some workers injured in falls from elevated work, but whether those protections apply depends on the type of work being done and the property involved. For example, owners of one- and two-family homes who do not direct or control the work are generally exempt. A Suffolk County wrongful death lawyer can review whether any of these laws apply.
Wrongful death deadlines
In New York, a wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the date of death, and shorter notice deadlines can apply if a government entity may be involved. Because evidence at accident scenes can change or disappear, families should speak with an attorney as early as possible.
What To Do After a Workplace Electrocution or Fall Accident
- Get medical care immediately. Electrical injuries can cause internal damage that is not visible right away.
- Report the accident to the employer in writing as soon as possible.
- Preserve evidence. Keep photos, the names of co-workers and witnesses, and any equipment information.
- Keep records of medical bills, lost wages and funeral or out-of-pocket expenses.
- Be careful with insurance statements. Talk to a lawyer before giving recorded statements to insurers.
- Contact an experienced attorney who handles both workers’ compensation and third-party injury claims.
How Chaikin Trial Group Can Help Families on Long Island
Chaikin Trial Group represents injured workers and families who have lost loved ones in workplace accidents throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties and New York City. Our Long Island work injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys can:
- Investigate how the accident happened and identify every potentially responsible party
- Coordinate workers’ compensation benefits with any third-party claim
- Work with safety and electrical experts when needed
- Handle communications with insurance companies so your family can focus on healing
Learn more about our personal injury practice, see our full list of practice areas, or review some of our case results.
If your family has lost a loved one in a workplace accident, a Long Island wrongful death lawyer at Chaikin Trial Group can explain your options during a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win. To get started, contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family sue if a loved one was electrocuted at work?
Usually, workers’ compensation is the only remedy against the employer, but an electrocution injury lawyer can investigate whether a third party, such as a property owner, contractor or equipment maker, shares responsibility. If so, the family may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against that party in addition to collecting workers’ compensation death benefits.
What is a third party work injury claim?
It is a lawsuit against someone other than the injured worker’s employer whose negligence contributed to the accident. These claims can recover damages that workers’ compensation does not cover, such as full lost earnings and, in a fatal case, certain losses suffered by the family.
Do I need a lawyer if I was hurt in a ladder fall on a job site?
A ladder fall lawyer can help you understand whether New York Labor Law protections apply, protect your workers’ compensation benefits, and identify other responsible parties. Rules vary by type of work and property, so a legal review is important.
How long do families have to file a wrongful death claim in New York?
Generally two years from the date of death, but shorter deadlines may apply in some cases, including claims involving government entities. Speak with a Suffolk County wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. See our FAQs for more.
This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.