Modesto Worker Compensation Law Blog

Construction workers' accidents: Man suffers fatal injury

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in construction workers' accidents on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

Construction and expansion throughout California often provide work and income to skilled workers, but, unfortunately, all construction sites maintain some risk to workers. When construction workers' accidents occur, workers and their families are at risk of losing much-needed income. When a worker suffers a fatal injury, families may struggle to cope emotionally and financially. Fortunately, many families are qualified to file for worker's compensation death benefits to assist in the financial transition. Sadly, one family in another state is experiencing the shocking grief of a loved one following a tragic accident on a building site.

The accident occurred on a new building site for a large plumbing distributor. Details of the accident have not been reported, but initial reports indicate that a worker may have been trapped under a steel beam. Two workers were injured in the morning accident.

Construction workers' accidents: Crane crash kills 4

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in construction workers' accidents on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

Accidents in the California construction industry are all too common. Unfortunately, construction workers' accidents can result in serious injuries and death. Injured workers may be overwhelmed with filing workers' compensation claims to cover medical and expenses and lost income. And surviving families of those workers killed on the job have their hands full struggling to come to terms with their losses. A recent crash on a construction site in another state resulted in the deaths of four people and injured others.

The accident occurred near a busy intersection. A large construction crane was being used to facilitate work on a nearby building when it crashed for unknown reasons. Unfortunately, it crashed into traffic, striking cars, damaging the roadway and the nearby building.

Workplace injuries: Company fined after man loses fingers

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in Workplace Injuries on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

Fingers and other extremities are important for the daily function and work of most people. Losing any part or all of an extremity can be life-changing. Unfortunately, one California worker lost two fingers last fall in a work-related accident. Workplace injuries like his are most often covered by workers' compensation insurance.

The employee was hired by a staffing agency and assigned to work for the company where the accident occurred. During his time at the assigned company, he was tasked to clean a dough-rolling machine. In the process, his fingers were pinched and pulled into the machine. Sadly, two of his fingers were amputated.

Industrial workers' accidents: Man loses arm

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in Industrial Workers' Accidents on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.

Time is of the essence when arteries are damaged or severed during an injury. Car and industrial workers' accidents are just two types of accidents that may result in artery damage. Workers in California and across the country who suffer a life-threatening injury at work typically qualify for workers' compensation insurance. One worker in another state will likely file a claim following the loss of his arm while at work.

Reportedly, a factory worker was injured early in the morning. The reports state that the 66-year-worker's arm became entangled in some machinery, which resulted in the loss of his arm. Emergency services were notified and two police officers arrived at the scene first in response to the call.

Woman says workplace injuries continue to cause her pain

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in Workplace Injuries on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

The internet has changed the way many people shop and obtain goods. In the process, retailers like Amazon have grown and thrived. In order to deliver goods on a quick schedule as promised to buyers, Amazon has workers and distribution centers all over the country. Some workers are claiming that the work environment is not always safe, and sometimes, quick delivery to buyers is prioritized over worker safety. One young California woman claims she is a victim of workplace injuries, and the injuries continue to affect her daily life.

The 27-year-old worker took a job at Amazon while attending college. She was not new to retail and warehouse work, and she felt the distribution center job was a good fit while completing her degree. The woman was required to hunt down products to be shipped, and lift and place them on conveyor belts. She reports that she lifted as many as 100 items an hour up to 29 pounds.

Construction workers' accidents: Teenager run over by forkift

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in construction workers' accidents on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

Several California construction workers recently witnessed a tragic and horrific accident of another co-worker while completing construction on an apartment building. Sadly, it is a reminder that construction workers' accidents are not uncommon and can result in fatal injuries for workers. State laws require most employers to provide workers' compensation insurance for all types of construction workers' accidents, including fatal ones. Employees may be interested in the details of the recent construction accident that took the life of a teenage employee.

Construction was being completed on a future apartment complex when the accident occurred. A 19-year-old employee was providing guidance to a driver of a large forklift. The forklift was carrying a wide, heavy load of roof trusses as it backed up. The forklift driver reported losing sight of the teenage employee and backed into him.

Even office injuries can be serious

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

You work in an office, so you don't typically worry about getting hurt on the job. Unfortunately, the last few days proved you wrong. First, a coworker tripped on edging as she walked into the room and ended up in the hospital for stitches to her forehead. Now, you wound up falling on the same area. Unlike your coworker, you didn't hit your head, but you did break your wrist when you tried to catch yourself.

Uneven or unsafe flooring is dangerous. It can be hard to notice, especially if the reason the area is unsafe is due to flooring that shifts or moves only when you step on it. There are many situations in which uneven or sloping floors, slick flooring and damage can lead to injuries.

Industrial workers' accidents: Man dies at refrigerator company

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in Industrial Workers' Accidents on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

Union representatives for manufacture workers report that it is a dangerous industry. The large equipment and chemicals required to complete necessary tasks are likely just some of the dangers that face workers on a routine basis. Industrial workers' accidents are not uncommon in California and across the United States, resulting in minor and serious injuries. California workers may be sad to learn of one man's fatal injuries that occurred at a manufacturing facility for General Electric refrigerators.

The injured victim was no stranger to the manufacturing industry. Reportedly, the man was a well-liked employee of the factory that employed him for 24 years. Many of the details of the accident are under investigation, but the company reports that the victim became trapped by a machine that installs foam in refrigerators.

Preventing workplace accidents involving tractors

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in Workplace Accidents on Monday, February 4, 2019.

There are many types of farms in California, and many of them employ the use of tractors in various ways. Due to the large agricultural industry in the state, tractor safety should be high on employers' lists of priorities for the men and women who work there. Failure to have standards in place can lead to preventable and devastating workplace accidents involving tractors.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released a guide for farm workers and employers to help people who work with and near tractors safely. According to OSHA, there are about 130 fatal tractor accidents every year. One of the most significant ways employers can protect their workers is to add a cage frame or roll bar on every tractor they use.

Fatal workplace injuries from malfunctioning wind machine

On behalf of Gary Nelson of The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson posted in Workplace Injuries on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

A California family is grieving the loss of a loved one after a fatal accident on a citrus farm. The Wonderful Citrus orchard, located in Tulare County, employs the use of wind machines to bring in warmer air into their facilities on nights when the temperatures drop. In a seemingly random incident, a 600-pound blade came off one of these huge machines, striking the worker and leaving him with serious workplace injuries that eventually resulted in his death.

The worker was attempting to turn off the machine at the time the accident happened. According to the brother of the deceased, the machine vibrated strongly, then a blade came loose. The worker tried to avoid being struck, but he was hit with significant force. Others found him conscious on the ground after the accident, and it appeared he had no external injuries. He later died from blunt force trauma.