FedEx has issued a statement expressing condolences following the tragic death of 86-year-old Verna Mae Jackson on Nov. 30 on the job.
Jackson was a dedicated package handler at the company’s World Hub in Memphis before her death, and the company maintains that it was a regrettable accident.
In a press release, FedEx stated:
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends who are mourning their loved one. Safety is our highest priority, and we are investigating the circumstances of this accident.”
The company is conducting an internal investigation into the incident.
Verna Mae Jackson, a long-time employee at the central branch, was fatally injured while attempting to retrieve a loose envelope from a cart of mail.
According to Atlanta Black Star, a report from the Memphis Police Department indicate the driver of the cart did not signal before moving, and tragically, Jackson was crushed under a 2,500-pound dolly.
The family’s attorney, Jeff Rosenblum, is awaiting the official report from the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) before deciding on potential legal action against FedEx.
The attorney emphasized that Jackson loved her work at FedEx and the people she worked with.
This incident marks the fifth tragedy at the FedEx World Hub in the last six years. In February 2022, Jessica James lost her life during a late-night shift, leading her family to file a $3.5 million wrongful death lawsuit against FedEx.
The circumstances surrounding James’s death involved a forklift accident, and her family alleges negligence on the part of the company.
Rosenblum argues that safety precautions, such as audible warnings before vehicle movement, were not implemented during Jackson’s accident, making it “a completely preventable death.”
He highlights the availability of technology that could have alerted employees to the vehicle’s movement and potentially saved Jackson’s life.
The FedEx World Hub in Memphis is crucial for the company, managing freight for major airports across the country.
