Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyer - Worksite Injuries

As Workplace Inspections Decrease, Workplace Danger Increases

Michael Chandler — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:28:20 GMT

"Poultry processors face few consequences when they ignore hazards that can kill and injure workers" begins a Charlotte Observer article in a series dealing with the dangers faced by poultry workers in North Carolina. The series of in-depth articles reveals the high price that is frequently paid by North Carolina poultry workers while the very people that are suppose to protect those worker's seemingly turn a blind eye to their plight.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports safety in poultry plants is at a all time high despite the fact safety inspections are at an all time low, fines for serious violations have been decreased and OSHA has not fined a poultry processor for hazards likely to cause carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in over a decade. OSHA says the plants are safer and points to a decade of declining injury rates.

In reality, the injury statistics are not accurate because OSHA has made easier for companies to hide injuries. Many employers strongly discourage their employees from reporting injuries and OSHA's lack of oversight makes it easier for this practice to continue. Many of the workers are Hispanic and are often intimidated into not bringing claims.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Chandler

Construction Accident Claims Life of Indianapolis Man

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:51:21 GMT

A construction worker was killed in a worksite accident in Westfield on Wednesday. The 36-year-old man was from Indianapolis. He was installing windows on a new home that was being built near the intersection of 169th Street and Carey Road.

The victim

was standing on scaffolding that was perched on a forklift.
"The scaffolding tipped," Marlow said. "He fell, approximately 10 feet, and the scaffolding fell on him."

The victim worked for Bates Enterprises Inc. He died at the scene of the accident. There were no other injuries reported. The investigation was turned over to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Worker Killed in Queens Construction Accident

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:34:58 GMT

A construction accident in Queens killed a Department of Transportation worker last night. The worker was standing outside of his vehicle reattaching a trailer when he killed.

Police said two DOT workers were towing a construction light tower when it dislodged from their pick-up truck at around 9:20 p.m. on the westbound Grand Central Parkway near exit 22 in Hollis Hills.
The workers were re-attaching the tower when another car hit them.

The other worker was seriously injured. There were two people in the other vehicle. They were both hurt and taken to a local hospital for treatment. The police are still investigating the accident.

For more information on this matter, please refer to our section on Worksite Injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Man Dies in Trench Collapse

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:41:57 GMT

A 42-year-old construction worker died in a trench collapse on a worksite in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this month. He was working on a new movie theater going in at a mall. The trench was around 6 feet deep.

The worker fell in as the trench collapsed about 3 p.m. and was partially covered by dirt and concrete. He was pronounced dead at the scene, said Sgt. Joel Tranter, a Phoenix police spokesman.
Tranter said a homicide investigator made an initial review of the scene and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified.

The worksite death came just days after another one in the Phoenix area. A 20-year-old construction worker was killed in that accident. OSHA is investigating.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Michigan Man Killed in Worksite Accident

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:50:47 GMT

A man from Corunna, Michigan was killed while driving a truck on a worksite in Lansing. Fill dirt was being brought to a site that is being prepared for sale. The worksite accident happened on Wednesday.

"It appears to be an accident but we don't know what created this accident," said Township Police Chief Kay Hoffman.
Authorities believe a dump truck owned by Burns trucking in Eaton Rapids had a mechanical failure. A hydrolic system may have malfunctioned causing the structure to bend.
"It caused the load to shift and go on to the other vehicle," Hoffman said.

Another worker suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital. The police are still investigating the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Construction Worker Dies in Fall From Roof

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:30:25 GMT

A man died after falling from a roof and landing on his back in Placida, Florida. The Sarasota County Medical Examiner ruled he died of bleeding from internal injuries.

Emilio Diaz, age 31, was originally from Mexico and was living in Arcadia. The owners of ABC Construction, the company that employed Diaz, was unsure why he was on the roof because work had been completed there the day before. His coworkers' suspect he must have tripped and fell. No criminal wrongdoing is suspected by the police.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

N.C. Workplace Fatalities Continue at Last Year's Pace

Staff Writer — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 09:24:01 GMT

According to a report from the North Carolina Department of Labor, called the Occupational Fatality Investigation Review, there have been 48 on-the-job deaths in the state during the 2006 fiscal year, which ends in September. In 2005, there were 72 workers who were killed while on the job in North Carolina, and there were 90 fatal work injuries in 2004.

The report details all fatal work accidents in the state, and includes such information as the number of deaths by industry type, type of accident, race of the worker, and weekday. It further analyzes worker deaths in construction accidents which make up nearly a third of all job-related deaths on the state. The Department of Labor's website contains a wealth of information for employees and their families, includign information on how to report work site deaths and injuries involving multiple employees.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Great Tip For Workers Injured On The Job

Staff Writer — Thu, 25 May 2006 09:02:36 GMT

Tony Rosasco at The Disabled Worker Law blog is compiling a Top 10 List for workers injured on the job. While many of Tony's tips focus on the state of New York, tip number three applies to all states: Don't Talk to the Insurance Company and Don't Sign Authorizations.

Tony offers a strongly worded warning:

Within a few days of learning of your work related accident, the insurance company claims adjusters will pounce on you. These people are NOT your friends. They are employed by the workers' compensation insurance company to save money on your claim.

An important point to remember is that insurance companies aren't necessarily looking out for your best interests. You may need to contact an attorney to protect your legal rights as an injured worker.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer