Family seeks answers after worker dies following incident at Hillsborough County Water Department

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A family is in mourning and desperately seeking answers after their loved one died while working at the Hillsborough County Wastewater Department.

According to his family, Paul Hardy was working at the Hillsborough County Wastewater Department on Feb. 7 when a machine fell on him and broke his right leg. He had to undergo surgery immediately. One month later, on March 12, Hardy died.

The healthy 49-year-old was a mentor, coach and family man, his relatives said.

“Paul loved his family, mother and children. He lived a life that supported a character, his children would grow to acknowledge as upstanding. I was, and still am very proud of my son, and I miss him dearly,” said his mother, Denise Allen.

According to Allen, Hillsborough County has remained tight lipped about Hardy’s death at the county’s water department site.

“This is currently a workers’ compensation case pending matter, and we will not be able to answer questions at this time,” José Patiño, a county spokesman said when reached for comment.

Per Risk Management’s policy, Patiño said the county does not answer questions involving pending workers’ compensation cases, adding that this was lawful and prudent, falling within the exemptions in the public records law.

Patiño said the incident report is not available since the medical examiner has not determined a cause of death.

As each day passes, Hardy’s family has continued grieving while seeking answers. They told 8 On Your Side the only thing keeping them going is their faith.

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