Employees Fatally Injured In A Workplace Accident
Two California employees recently lost their lives after being suffocated by slabs of stone, which trapped workers at a granite company. The stone slabs were not extremely thick; however, they were large and heavy. Firefighters and emergency personnel arrived at the worksite and discovered a supervisor and other employee stuck under large sheets of stone that fell from a shipping container.
At this time, Cal/OSHA is investigating the worksite in an effort to decipher what caused the workplace accident. According to one witness, the sheets of stone were supported by a-frames that were made of wood. The onlooker suspects that an a-frame moved as the sheets of stone were transported to the worksite.
Once employees began to unload the materials, the slabs of rock fell. Although this tragedy is the only serious accident in the store’s 29 years in business, investigators continue to look into the incident to ensure appropriate safety measures were in place.
Workplace accidents
A workplace accident can result in hefty financial and physical repercussions. The injured party or his or her family is forced to confront the challenges associated with an accident. For example, many victims must deal with medical bills and lost income.
The good news is that a person injured on the job is often entitled to workers’ compensation recovery. The purpose of the workers’ compensation system is to provide benefits to employees harmed in the course of employment. In exchange for compensation after a work injury, employees relinquish their right to file a personal injury case against their employers. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the accident involves negligent or reckless actions, an employee could potentially file a third-party suit against responsible individuals.
Workers’ compensation or a personal injury lawsuit will open the door to several monetary options as the employee attempts to recover from or adjust to injuries sustained from an accident. Depending on the situation, an injured worker might be entitled to compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.
Moreover, if an employee loses his or her life in an accident at the workplace (as in the aforementioned account), the victim’s surviving family may pursue recovery options.
If you or a loved one was injured in a workplace accident, the first step is to receive adequate medical attention. After medical issues are addressed, the next step is to speak to a lawyer. Work injuries can completely affect a person’s future. A lawyer can help an injured worker or his or her family move forward after a debilitating accident.
