We Just Had a Fatality/Catastrophe. What Now?

Essential Guidance for Safety and HR Professionals in the First Critical Hours

When a workplace fatality or catastrophic incident occurs, organizations are suddenly faced with one of the most challenging moments in their history. Beyond the emotional impact on employees, families, and leadership, these events trigger a complex series of legal, regulatory, operational, and communication responsibilities that must be handled correctly from the very beginning.

The first 24 to 72 hours can significantly influence the outcome of investigations, legal exposure, employee trust, and organizational recovery. Unfortunately, many companies are unprepared for the difficult decisions that follow such incidents.

To help Safety and HR professionals navigate these critical moments, People4People Community is hosting a special live webinar featuring renowned workplace safety and employment law expert John D. Surma, Partner at Fisher Phillips.

Why This Topic Matters

A serious workplace incident affects far more than compliance obligations. Organizations often find themselves simultaneously dealing with:

●      Employee and family communications

●      OSHA investigations

●      Civil litigation risks

●      Potential criminal inquiries

●      Internal fact-finding efforts

●      Media attention and public scrutiny

●      Business continuity challenges

Without a clear response strategy, well-intentioned actions can unintentionally create additional legal and operational risks.

This webinar is designed to help professionals understand what must happen immediately after a catastrophic event and how to avoid common mistakes that can have long-term consequences.

What You'll Learn

1. Immediate Response: The First 24–72 Hours

The initial response period is often the most critical.

John Surma will discuss:

●      Key actions organizations should take immediately following a fatality or catastrophe

●      How to establish a coordinated response plan

●      Preserving critical information and evidence

●      Understanding attorney-client privilege considerations from the start

●      Managing communications while protecting organizational interests

Participants will gain practical guidance for responding effectively during the most sensitive phase of an incident.

2. Managing Parallel Legal Exposure

After a serious workplace incident, organizations may face multiple investigations and legal proceedings at the same time.

Topics include:

●      OSHA investigations and enforcement actions

●      Civil liability exposure

●      Potential criminal implications

●      Coordination between legal, HR, and safety teams

●      Identifying hidden risks that many organizations overlook

Understanding how these processes interact can help leaders make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

3. Disciplined Documentation and Conduct

Documentation often becomes a key factor in investigations and legal proceedings.

This session will cover:

●      Creating defensible documentation practices

●      Protecting witnesses and maintaining credibility

●      Conducting internal investigations appropriately

●      Managing records, statements, and communications

●      Avoiding actions that could undermine future defenses

Strong documentation practices can make a significant difference in protecting both employees and the organization.

Meet the Speaker

John D. Surma

Partner | Fisher Phillips

John D. Surma is a highly respected attorney with extensive experience advising employers on workplace safety, OSHA compliance, investigations, and crisis management. His practical approach and deep legal expertise have helped organizations navigate some of the most challenging workplace incidents and regulatory matters.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn directly from his real-world experience and gain actionable insights they can apply within their own organizations.

Event Details

📅 Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST
 🎤 Guest Speaker: John D. Surma, Partner at Fisher Phillips
 🎟️ Cost: Free Live Webinar

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is ideal for:

●      Safety Professionals

●      HR Leaders

●      Risk Management Teams

●      Compliance Officers

●      Operations Leaders

●      Business Owners

●      Legal and Employment Professionals

●      Executive Leadership Teams

Whether your organization is large or small, understanding how to respond during a workplace crisis is an essential leadership skill.

 

Join the Conversation

Preparation is one of the most powerful tools organizations have when facing the unexpected. Learning how to respond effectively before a crisis occurs can help protect employees, support affected families, and reduce organizational risk.

Join the People4People Community for this timely and valuable discussion with John D. Surma and gain practical strategies for navigating the most challenging moments in workplace safety and compliance.

Reserve your spot today and strengthen your organization's readiness for critical incidents.

Next
Next

Outsourced HR Support for Mid-Sized Companies