UW–Madison employee dies from injuries sustained in a fall

A University of Wisconsin–Madison employee has died from injuries sustained from a fall while working on campus on Nov. 30.

The employee, Roberto Vergara, began working at the university in September of 2009. He was employed in custodial services for the university’s Division of Facilities Planning & Management.

The incident occurred early Saturday morning. Vergara fell when leaving a building and hit his head on the sidewalk in the 200 block of Bernard Court. A fellow employee called 911, and Vergara was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. He died from his injuries on Dec. 2.

“We are all saddened to learn that Roberto passed away. We are keeping his family, friends and campus colleagues in our thoughts during this difficult time,” says David Darling, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and management.

The university is conducting an investigation into the incident in coordination with the state Department of Safety and Professional Services.

The Employee Assistance Office has been in contact with Facilities Planning & Management to provide counseling and support to employees there.

Staff and faculty who would like to talk to someone in response to this or any other incident may contact the Employee Assistance Office at (608) 263-2987 or visit eao.wisc.edu.

If you are a student in need of counseling or crisis support as a result of this incident or any other situation, call University Health Services Counseling and Consultation Services at (608) 265-5600 or drop-in between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you need immediate assistance after hours or on weekends, please call the UHS Crisis Line at (608) 265-5600, option 9. For more information, visit uhs.wisc.edu.