Ashkan Moghaddam, 37, from Berkeley, Died at Sacramento Costco on Expo Boulevard While Cleaning Underground Gas Tank —> GoFundMe Created to Support Victim’s Family
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (October 20, 2025) – A 37-year-old father of two identified as Ashkan Moghaddam has tragically died in a Sacramento gas tank accident at Costco.
Sacramento County officials are saying that the incident occurred around 10:45 a.m. on Monday. Ashkan Moghaddam was a crew member from Ponder Environmental.
They were brought in by Costco to clean the company’s underground holding tanks. The worker made his way down into the tank and fainted.
Investigators suspect that he may have become overwhelmed by gas fumes. After Ashkan Moghaddam collapsed, coworkers were unable to immediately pull him out of the confined space.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the Costco to help the victim. He was given CPR and transported to a nearby hospital.
Sadly, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A full investigation by Cal/OSHA remains ongoing at this time. Ashkan Moghaddam was remembered as a loving father who earned a black belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe. According to the online fundraiser, “It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we share the sudden passing of Ashkan “Ash” Moghaddam due to a workplace accident. His loss was unexpected and has left his family, friends, and community devastated. […] On behalf of Ana, their daughters, and Ash’s extended family at Ralph Gracie Berkeley, thank you for your compassion, your prayers, and your generosity during this incredibly difficult time. Together, we can honor Ash’s memory and stand beside the family he loved so fiercely.”
Liability for Sacramento Workplace Accidents
As a general rule, workers in California are barred from bringing negligence claims against their employers if they are injured on the job. Instead, workers and surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to help injured workers regardless of fault. There are, however, a few exceptions worth considering where employers can be held directly liable for injuries.
- Intentional Harm: An employer intentionally and deliberately caused harm to one of their workers.
- Gross Negligence: An employer’s conduct showed a reckless disregard for the safety of their workers, far beyond ordinary negligence.
- Lack of Coverage: An employer failed to carry the required workers’ compensation coverage that they needed.
- Misclassification: If an employee is misclassified and actually an independent contractor, they may be able to pursue direct negligence claims against employers.
Employers in California are legally required to protect their workers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This requires that companies comply with Cal/OSHA regulations and provide continuous monitoring in any area where a worker may be exposed to noxious gases. Workers may also need supplied air for certain tasks. It is also possible a third party could bear some legal responsibility for any workplace accident. A third-party may be liable if an entity separate from a worker’s employer was negligent.
Third-Party Liability for Sacramento Workplace Accidents
Many workers are seriously injured or killed every year after being exposed to dangerous gases or chemical vapors. According to OSHA, “workers suffer more than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths annually related to chemical exposures. Workplace chemical exposures have been linked to cancers, and other lung, kidney, skin, heart, stomach, brain, nerve, and reproductive diseases.” There could be numerous sources of third-party liability for any accident where a worker is injured or killed after exposure to dangerous gases.
- Property Owner: The company that owned or controlled the location where work was being performed could be liable for an accident through a premises liability claim. According to California Civil Code 1714, “Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.”
- General Contractor: A general contractor could also be liable for a workplace accident if they failed to properly supervise or enforce safety rules for hazardous locations.
- Equipment Manufacturer: The company that manufactured a piece of equipment used by a worker could potentially be liable for an accident through a product liability claim. For example, a piece of safety equipment may have malfunctioned or otherwise failed to alert a worker of danger.
Workplace accidents are often highly complex events. Factors that contribute to any accident could take place hours, days, or even weeks beforehand. They also tend to be highly preventable and the result of clear safety lapses. This is particularly true when any worker is exposed to dangerous substances. It is crucial that areas that may contain dangerous gases are thoroughly tested before workers are allowed to enter. The family of any worker who died during the course of their work may be able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through a civil action.
Investigating Sacramento Workplace Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ashkan Moghaddam. Any person who may have more information about this incident should reach out to OSHA. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents down the road. There are so many questions that still need to be answered.
Do you need more information about a Sacramento County workplace accident? Our team of workers’ rights advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and protecting those rights through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular accident, we are here to support you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
