Industrial accident leaves worker with hand injuries in Kansas

An employee can suffer many kinds of injuries on the job. Sometimes the injury is due to a defective power tool, or other times it may be from the malfunctioning or misuse of a forklift or crane. The severity and costliness of the injuries vary, too. Some injuries result in lifelong debilitation, while others require simple, short-term treatment. Yet, regardless of how severe the injuries are considered to be, there are options available to employees who are injured on the job.

Kansas residents may have heard about a recent accident that occurred while an employee was performing his day-to-day tasks at his place of employment. The 21-year-old man was performing his duties as an industrial worker at a print and packaging company. The accident occurred when the man’s shirt was caught in a rotating roller, which resulted in his hand being pulled into the roller. According to a police sergeant, the industrial accident caused him to suffer a severe injury in his hand. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Treatment for a workplace injury in many cases can be costly. Even the transportation costs to hospitals are costs that need to be considered. Thankfully, the workers’ compensation system exits, which allows anyone injured on the job to pursue compensation for the injuries they have suffered. Regardless of whether the injury was caused by the employee himself, a negligent employer or a manufacturer’s defective product, workers’ compensation is an option worth considering — but there are other options for workers to consider as well. This is why it is important for employees to know all of the available options in order to ensure that their rights are protected.

Source: The Wichita Eagle, “Man injures hand in industrial accident,” Stan Finger, Jan. 4, 2014

Tyson Foods plant in Kansas fined by government agency

Maintaining a safe working environment should be a goal of all employers in the state of Kansas. Unfortunately, some companies fail to meet this goal, prompting action by government agencies.

A Tyson Foods plant in Kansas is facing a serious fine of up to $147,000 due to a series of safe workplace violations, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor. The fine came after an inspection by the agency revealed the plant has violated regulations seven times over the past 10 years, including some recent willful violations.

In addition, the inspection revealed that workers were not properly trained on lockout procedures to prevent the inadvertent operation of machinery, and the plant had removed guardrails, subjecting employees to the possibility of amputation. One man had his arm cut off at the elbow when his garments became caught in a machine while at work, pulling his arm into moving gears. Approximately 150 people work at the plant and may have been put at risk of harm.

OSHA is a government agency tasked with ensuring that workplaces meet a set of safety standards. Not only are workers who are exposed to potential workplace hazards entitled to precautions such as guardrails and protective clothing, but they are also entitled to be trained on how to avoid becoming hurt in a workplace accident. They can also request OSHA to inspect their workplace, which can be made confidentially. Workers cannot face retaliation or discrimination for making such a request.

Employers must provide workers with a safe workplace. By holding employers accountable through an OSHA investigation, employees can make sure their rights are upheld and that they are not subject to an unsafe working environment.

Source: The Kansas City Star, “OSHA cites Kansas Tyson Foods plant for violations, including one that led to severed hand,” Dec. 18

Construction site accident injures 2, kills 1

In some work environments, employees are at great risk of injury or death every day. OSHA regulations and requirements are set up to help protect employees by requiring, by law, that employers secure their work environments in certain ways. Unfortunately, OSHA regulations cannot prevent every kind of mishap and workplace accidents are still a tragic reality.

Kansas residents may be shocked and saddened to learn of a recent workplace accident that resulted in the loss of a life. Three construction workers were injured in an accident involving a partial wall collapse. The accident occurred late at night when the workers were demolishing a section of a Ruby Tuesday restaurant located in a mall. Falling concrete from the demolition struck three workers – two of whom had to be rushed to a nearby hospital. One of the men, a 25-year-old, died from his injuries. The two other men suffered minor injuries. The local police department, along with OSHA, are investigating the accident.

Construction sites can be hazardous environments. Given the amount of machinery and environmental hazards that are sometimes present at these sites, there is always going to be a risk of injury. Because of this, it is prudent for workers to learn of their legal rights to make sure they are protected should anything unfortunate occur.

Whether it is a scaffolding accident, defective tool or forklift accident, construction workers who experience an accident may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation offers an exclusive remedy for those hurt on the job and can help cover medical expenses, lost wages and other costs that result from the tragedy. In some cases, however, it may be more beneficial to file a third-party liability claim – which is why it is important for workers to be aware of all the options available.

Source: CBS Chicago, “Worker Dies From Injuries In Construction Collapse At Vernon Hills Mall,” Dec. 27, 2013

Mill worker killed in tragic accident

Kansas residents are hard workers. They know the challenges of a hard day’s work as well as the hazards of day-to-day life in a difficult working environment. Some workers risk their lives every day to get their jobs done, knowing full well that accidents and tragedies could occur at any time. Some Kansas residents may not be aware, however, of the options available for someone who is hurt while performing their duties in their work environment, as well as for the families of loved ones left to suffer with the tragedy of losing a loved one at work.

A man suffered fatal injuries at a mill that had employed him for more than three years. In a tragic turn of events, the man was called in to work on his day off. In the afternoon, while finishing his shift, the man was loading an extractor — a machine that dries fabric. The machine spins rapidly to dry the fabric and the man was pulled into the rapidly spinning machine. Family members are reportedly demanding answers for what caused the accident. The cause is currently under investigation.

Employees are protected by certain rights — rights that come into play when they anyone is involved in workplace accidents. Wage benefits and medical benefits may be owed to victims and families of victims who have been injured or killed on the job. This usually comes in the form of workers’ compensation, which offers a remedy for injured workers. Sometimes victims may also choose to pursue a product liability claim if the injury or death was caused by a faulty product or manufacturing error. There are options for workers and their families, and it is prudent for anyone in these situations to learn of these options and plan accordingly.

Source: Fox 8, “Randleman man dies in workplace accident,” Stephanie Ando, Dec. 16, 2013

Industrial accident results in fatal injuries for worker

Kansas residents know that some work environments are, unfortunately, more hazardous than others. Accidents can occur at any type of job, but some occupations put employees at an increased risk of danger than others. Industrial and construction jobs are examples of these types of high-risk work environments, and it is vital that employees in these types of professions, as well as loved ones of these workers, are aware of their legal rights in regards to work-related injuries and deaths.

Tragically, an industrial worker was killed recently at a plant on the east coast. Police pronounced the man dead on the scene after a steel beam weighing 12,000 pounds fell onto the man. The victim’s family was able to identify him following the accident. According to reports from a preliminary investigation, the fatal injury appeared to be caused by a work accident, with no foul play involved. This was the second accident in the area involving an industrial worker within just five days.

The frequency of accidents in these types of professions makes it vital for workers and their families to be aware of the options available should injury or death occur. Even in cases when the employer was not at fault, victims can pursue benefits in the form of workers’ compensation should a workplace injury occur.

This remedy is often sought by injured workers. By filing a workers’ compensation claim, the victim or their families may seek the vital financial resources they need during a troubled time in their lives. Knowing one’s legal rights can help victims pursue the best option available.

Source: boston.com, “Man killed in industrial accident in East Boston,” Derek J. Anderson, Dec. 9, 2013

Man suffers fatal injuries after quarry accident in Kansas

Tragedies that occur on the job involve unique laws. Any injury that is considered work related offers the potential for employees to claim benefits. In addition, any fatality that occurs on the job allows loved ones to apply for similar benefits. Though nothing can undo the physical and mental damages inflicted on victims and their families, compensation can help alleviate some of the financial strain.

A man passed away recently due to the fatal injuries he suffered while on the job. As a quarry worker in Kansas, the 63-year-old man was working for a local company helping to handle explosives being used to detonate rocks. Tragically, the man stood too near to the detonation area when a large limestone rock, along with other smaller rocks, struck him following the blast. After being discovered by fellow employees, emergency responders rushed to the scene where they found the man to be unresponsive. They pronounced him as dead. The investigation is ongoing, but a preliminary investigation is claiming that the fatality was the result of a work-related accident.

Fatalities resulting from workplace accidents are tragic affairs and can cause a victim’s loved ones great pain and suffering. As if this mental anguish was not painful enough, the families of victims often find themselves having to suffer costs from medical expenses, transportation, lost wages and other expenses.

Thankfully, the loved ones of victims have a chance to be compensated for their loss. When it comes to workers’ compensation, there are many laws involved, some of them complex. However, there are legal professionals available to help guide loved ones and victims through this process.

Source: The Topeka Capital-Journal, “Manhattan man killed in quarry blast,” Phil Anderson, Dec. 5, 2013

Report shows decrease in workplace injuries, increase in severity

According to a recent report, the rate in which non-fatal work injuries and illnesses occur across the U.S. has declined. The severity of these injuries, however, has increased.

In 2011, 117 cases per 10,000 full-time workers had to stay home from work as a result of a workplace injury or illness. This number decreased in 2012, as only 112 cases per 10,000 spent days away from work. Though this shows a decrease in the amount of serious workplace injuries — serious, in this case, defined as an injury that requires days away from work — other numbers show an increase in the severity of these injuries.

In the report, severity is measured by the average days a worker is required to spend away from work. The severity of injuries appears to be trending upwards, as a median of eight days was reported in 2011, while that number increased to nine in 2012.

Severe workplace injuries can have devastating effects for an employee. They may require days — if not weeks, months or years — away for work, which oftentimes results in lost wages. Lost wages can have an enormous impact on the injured worker’s pocketbook, making it difficult to cover necessary expenses and the medical costs associated with workplace injuries.

Thankfully, employees injured as the result of a workplace accident have a chance to receive help covering medical costs and lost wages. Workers’ compensation allows workers in such situations to apply for compensation. This compensation provides workers with an exclusive remedy — but first, these employees must file a claim and follow guidelines which determine eligibility.

Source: Tire Business, “U.S. workplace injury rate declines but severity up,” Nov. 27, 2013

Kansas FedEx worker injured on the job, dies in hospital

A workplace accident can happen to anyone at any time. Even in the most unlikely scenarios, an unexpected fall or roof collapse can take someone by surprise and result in injuries — or, in the worst case scenario, rob a worker of their life.

A worker died recently in suburban Kansas. The man, a 62-year-old FedEx employee, was taken to a hospital after being pinned between a dock and a trailer. A trailer was pulling out of the FedEx lot when the man slipped under it. He died while being treated for his injuries. The accident is under investigation and the cause was not immediately known.

When a worker is killed or injured on the job, there can be many complications for both the victim and the victim’s family and loved ones. Of course, every accident — whether it results in mere cuts and bruises or a fatality — has the potential to be traumatic, and there is often lasting emotional pain and suffering.

But then there is the pain and suffering that can be costly in a more literal sense. In many cases, contracting an illness or suffering an injury at work will result in lost wages — something family members and victims often cannot afford. What’s more, victims and their families are often left with hefty medical expenses from hospitalization and the long-term treatments these injuries and illnesses can require.

Thankfully, there is a way for victims involved in such accidents and their families to claim benefits from their employers. Even when the employer is not at fault, workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits that offer employees the chance to receive an exclusive remedy to help ease the pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Source: The Kansas City Star, “FedEx worker dies after being pinned between dock and truck in Shawnee,” Nov. 20, 2013

Workplace accident in oilfield

Accidents are abrupt, unexpected interruptions to someone’s workday. Not only do they happen suddenly, they also sometimes pull in coworkers, police officers and medical helpers who come to the aid of the injured worker. These people often act in heroic ways and do much to help the worker in need, sometimes even saving a life.

An oilfield worker was injured recently in Kansas. After a pulley failed to stabilize the man who was suspended more the 50 feet in the air, a dispatcher at an energy company was called and a bucket truck was sent over to the scene of the accident. Men from the co-op risked their lives to recover the injured worker and in around ten minutes they were able to bring him to safety. A helicopter then flew the man to a hospital in Wichita.

With the help of brave and daring rescuers, workers involved in accidents are oftentimes able to walk away from potentially fatal situations. The workers are lucky to have survived, but they have still experienced damaging trauma and sometimes lasting injuries. Fall injuries, scaffolding accidents, chemical spills and other construction and workplace accidents can result in a variety of lasting and costly injuries and illnesses.

Thankfully, there exists a system known as workers’ compensation that allows anyone who has been injured in these kinds of accidents to apply for benefits. These benefits include compensation for lost wages, permanent injuries and medical care. Survivors of loved ones killed on the job are also eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Having an employee advocate, like the help of a legal professional, is useful when navigating through the filing of a workers’ compensation claim.

Source: ECT, “Kansas Co-op Helps in Oil Rig Rescue,” Victoria A. Rocha, Nov. 12, 2013

Accident fatally injures Kansas worker

Kansas residents whose jobs require them to work near highways or busy streets know how hazardous their work environments can be. Constant exposure to speeding cars and other construction site perils put them in danger daily. Because of this danger, it is important for workers to know their legal rights and the options available should anything unfortunate occur on the job.

Sadly, one worker was fatally injured on the job in south-central Kansas recently. The worker, a tow-truck operator, was struck by a vehicle while securing a disabled bus to his truck. He was completing a routine job of towing a tour bus away when a westbound vehicle crushed the worker when he was standing by the trailer of the bus.

When a worker is killed or injured on the job, the company the worker represented may be liable for the damages. If a company fails to provide a safe work environment, or violates any of OSHA’s many regulations, then that company is exhibiting negligence and recklessness. Any examples of recklessness can be used by victims and their families to build a case of employer negligence, allowing them to receive workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits help cover lost wages and medical expenses that have resulted from an accident on the job.

Victims and their families who have suffered as a result of a workplace accident will likely need to review their options. Oftentimes a strong argument can be formed that can ease the burden placed on victims and their families by allowing them to receive the compensation that they are owed by negligent employers.

Source: The Topeka Capital-Journal, “Worker killed in highway hit-and-run,” Phil Anderson, Nov. 6, 2013