Contractor Guilty in Labor Case of California Dozer Operator Death

Reagan’s dozer overturned during the 2016 Soberanes Fire

 

Robert Reagan, 35, of Fresno County, died July 26, 2016, when his bulldozer overturned while trying to access a proposed fire line near Big Sur in the course of fighting the Soberanes Fire. (Cal Fire photo)

 

SALINAS, Calif. (AP) — The owner of a bulldozer that overturned and killed the operator while battling a huge California wildfire has been found guilty of violating labor laws.

KQED-TV says a Monterey County judge ruled Wednesday that Ian Czirban failed to have workers’ compensation insurance that’s required for companies contracting with California’s state fire agency, Cal Fire.

See also  Gains Made Against Northern California Wildfire

Czirban owned the dozer that toppled down an embankment during a 2016 blaze near Big Sur. The operator, Robert Reagan, died.

Click onto image for report

KQED-TV says Czirban’s attorney argued that Reagan wasn’t a traditional employee but an independent contractor.

The judge rejected that argument.

After Reagan died, two other heavy equipment contractors died while helping Cal Fire battle large wildfires. Their employers, who also didn’t have workers’ comp, were fined, cited or shut down by state officials.

All contents © copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Reagan’s dozer overturned during the 2016 Soberanes Fire     SALINAS, Calif. (AP) — The owner of a bulldozer that overturned and killed the operator while battling a huge California wildfire has been found guilty of violating labor laws. KQED-TV says a Monterey County judge ruled Wednesday that Ian Czirban failed to have workers’ compensation […]

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