Insurance lawyer falls to his death while inspecting roof for storm damage
Michael Andrew Sway, 44, fell through a roof and died Thursday while inspecting a vacant building Lancaster, Ohio, for structural damage, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
The industrial building’s owner sued various insurance companies, including Sway’s client, National Fire Insurance of Hartford, regarding a disputed storm damage claim. Sway fell between 22 and 23 feet, according to the Dispatch, and another lawyer was on the roof with him.
Sway, who went by Andy, was a partner with Smith, Rolfes & Skavdahl. According to the Supreme Court of Ohio’s attorney directory, he practiced in Columbus.
The death is being investigated by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation.
“It is not an industrial accident per se, but it is kind of classified as an industrial accident,” said Sgt. Kirk Kern of the Fairfield County sheriff’s office.
