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Beam collapses, 3 workers may qualify for workers’ compensation

On Behalf of | Apr 6, 2016 | Industrial Workers' Accidents |

An out-of-state construction accident killed one worker while injuring three others on a recent Tuesday morning, officials said. The accident, which OSHA said was preventable, occurred when a beam weighing 45 tons fell at the construction site. When California workers are injured in similar accidents, they typically qualify for workers’ compensation.

The construction workers were in the process of removing the beam under an interstate around 3 a.m. at the time the beam collapsed, according to officials. One worker was rushed to a nearby general hospital, but was later pronounced dead. Three other workers were taken to other area hospitals to be treated for their injuries, the chief of a local fire department said.

Later that day, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration said in a news release that the incident was “preventable.” According to their release. OSHA has initiated an investigation with the corporation which employed both the deceased worker, as well as the site’s general contractor. According to OSHA, they have issued nine citations totaling $6,465 since 2006 to the corporation which employed the deceased worker. 

Accidents in the construction industry may be commonplace, but that does not diminish workers’ rights when such accidents result in their injuries. When this occurs, workers are fully within their legal rights to submit workers’ compensation claims. When successfully filed, these claims can help an injured worker with the costs typically associated with injuries in this sector, including lost pay, hospital bills and physical therapy. Injured workers in California typically choose to consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to assist them with this process.

Source: Chicago Tribune, “OSHA says fatal I-90 construction accident was ‘preventable’“, Megan Crepeau, Tony Briscoe and Lee V. Gaines, April 6, 2016

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