John Lacayanga (Full Name: John Brandon Lacayanga), Employee for Dubai National Air Travel Agency, Died in Accident With Cargo Pallet at San Francisco International Airport
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (January 21, 2026) – A 28-year-old man identified as John Lacayanga has tragically died in an accident at the San Francisco International Airport.
San Francisco authorities are saying that the incident took place around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18. John Lacayanga was working on a vehicle service road near terminal three at the International Terminal Boarding Area.
He was towing some type of cargo pallet when an accident occurred. Authorities later discovered him injured under the cargo pallet.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help John Lacayanga. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time. You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe.
According to the online fundraiser, “With heavy hearts, we are raising funds to help cover the funeral and memorial expenses for John Brandon Lacayanga. This tragic loss was unexpected, and we hope to ease the financial burden on his parents during this incredibly difficult time. Any contribution, no matter the amount, will be deeply appreciated and will help us honor Brandon’s life and legacy.”
Liability for Accidents at the San Francisco International Airport
Employers have a legal obligation to maintain worksites in a reasonably safe condition to protect their workers. According to 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1), “each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Airports should take certain measures to keep their workers safe.
- Distance: Airports should ensure that aircraft only operate in clearly marked zones to prevent accidents with pedestrians.
- Certifications: Workers at airports should have the proper certifications for all of the equipment that they are using. This includes baggage tugs and fuel trucks.
- Fall Protection: Workers should be provided with fall protection if they are working on surfaces of six feet or higher.
- Maintenance: All equipment at an airport should be periodically inspected and well maintained.
- Training: Workers should receive extensive safety training for all of the actions that they would be performing.
When a worker is injured or killed during the course of their job duties, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation operates through a no-fault insurance scheme. In addition to workers’ compensation, the victims of workplace accidents may be able to pursue damages through a third-party liability claim. A third-party claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident.
Third-Party Liability for Airport Accidents
Many people are injured in the airline industry every year in the United States. According to MCR Safety, “In 2020, there were 16,900 Total air transportation injuries. Interestingly, a vast number of these injuries occur during passenger air transportation activities that take place at the gate stop area.” There could be numerous sources of third-party liability for any accident at an airport.
- Equipment Manufacturer: The company that manufactured a piece of equipment used at an airport could be liable for an accident through a product liability claim.
- General Contractor: A general contractor could be liable for an accident if they failed to maintain a worksite in a reasonably safe condition.
- Subcontractor: Airports are typically made up of a blend of subcontractors that all must work together. If an employee from one of the subcontractors acted negligently, their employer could be liable for an incident.
It could be hard to know where to begin after any accident at an airport. Many of these accidents are the results of clear safety lapses. Workers may be asked to perform tasks that they are untrained for. Another major problem is that cargo may be loaded in an unsafe manner thereby putting transportation workers at risk. The family of any person who died in an airport accident may be able to pursue damages through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Accidents at the San Francisco International Airport
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of John Lacayanga. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be averted. So many questions have yet to be answered. What is the safety record for workers at this location? Were all OSHA regulations being followed?
Do you need more information about an accident at the San Francisco International Airport? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get the information and resources that they are owed under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
