Category Archives: Industrial Workers’ Accidents

Forty-three-year-old man killed in industrial accident

Johnson County, Kansas residents are aware that certain professions involve working in a setting where there is always some element of risk. These positions are, in many cases, well compensated, given the additional risk. This does not take away from the fact that the normal discharge of a person’s duty at such jobs could result in serious injury, and even death. There are, however, laws in place guaranteeing that the workplace is as safe as possible; if not, the negligent employer might be liable for prosecution. Such laws come under the purview of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA.

In a recent accident at an oil well, a 43-year-old man from a nearby state was struck by a piece of equipment and killed. The oil and gas company operating the well later identified the man as a worker for a sub-contractor, adding in a statement that the incident was the first of its kind at their site and that the safety of all employees, whether directly employed or otherwise, was a “top priority.” One investigating official said it was “an unforeseen accident.” The cause of the accident is as yet undetermined.

Although the victim’s family may not find much succor in receiving compensation, OSHA laws mandate that employers be suitably insured and thereby pay death benefits, including lost wages, as applicable, following such industrial accidents.

In Kansas, for instance, if employers pay out over $20,000 annually as wages, carrying workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory. The state also appoints an ombudsman to mediate between the victim or his family, the employer and the insurance provider. Most employers are eager to avoid any embarrassment in terms of treating employees fairly and are quick to process payment of such benefits. If the claim becomes disputed in court, the judge could award damages as well, an eventuality employers like to avoid. The victim’s family can seek advice and legal representation in such cases.

Source: WTOV9.com, “Accident at well site claims life of Texas man“, April 7, 2014

Industrial accident causes worker fatal injuries

Many Kansas residents likely received some form of safety training when they start working. Most jobs require employees to partake in such training. Yet even with safety training and an understanding of the dangers in a work environment, no one expects an accident to occur. When a worker is injured or killed in an accident, victims and their families may be left wondering what options are available to them.

In what must have been and unexpected and tragic occurrence, a worker was killed in an industrial accident recently. He was a contract worker doing a job at a castings plant that was under construction. While he was installing heating and air conditioning in the castings plant, a pipe exploded and fatally injured the man. An investigation into the castings plant revealed that the company had been cited for two prior violations, both of which were considered severe. Authorities are continuing to investigate the accident.

Accidents of this nature — that is, industrial accidents — are usually thoroughly investigated. Investigators hope to uncover who was at fault in the accident. Workers are protected by certain rights and can use investigation results to help determine what legal action may be appropriate. In many cases, a workers’ compensation may be worth pursuing in order to protect an injury victim and a family from the medical expenses, lost wages and other financial shocks that can come in the wake of an accident.

Each situation is unique and requires a thorough analysis that puts the evidence together to help determine what a victim may be entitled to. With diligence and a thorough understanding of the legalities involved, victims can often pursue full and fair compensation.

Source: WSOCTV, “Officials: Man dies after pipe explodes at plant,” Jan. 31, 2014

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

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

Kansas ties for 4th among states most dangerous for workers

A recent Allsup study offers some interesting food for thought. For example, based on data gathered from 2011, Kansas came in fourth, tying with six other states, for being the most dangerous for workers.

Data was not available for 9 of the 50 states, but the study did find that, per 100 employees, Kansas had a rate of 0.9 workers who suffered injuries or illnesses that required either a job transfer or a restriction of job duties. To put those numbers in perspective, consider that the national average is 0.7 for such injuries per 100 workers.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the study is that workers with the same types of jobs — oil rigging, auto manufacturing and farming, for instance — were shown to be more likely to get injured in certain states than in others. So how can this be explained?

One reason may simply be environment. For example, a truck driver may be less likely to suffer work-related injuries on the flat and straight highways of Kansas than a truck driver on the curvy and mountainous roads of Virginia.

That isn’t to say that transport industry workers in Kansas don’t suffer their fair share of work-related injuries, but environment may be one reason as to why there is so much variance in injury rates within the same types of work.

Another reason for the disparity may have to do with how different states report work-related injuries.

In any case, Kansas workers who have been injured on the job should be aware of the appropriate course of legal action for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Compensation is not automatic after a work-related injury, and employees may encounter major obstacles in receiving the benefits they need and deserve.

Our Kansas City work accident site is a good resource for learning more about workers’ compensation in our state.

Source: business.time.com, “The Most Dangerous States To Work In America — And The Most Dangerous Jobs To Have In Them,” Gary Belsky, July 23, 2013