An Anheuser-Busch brewery worked was seriously injured when he fell into a vat of hot mash at the Van Nuys bottling plant on Feb. 8. The accident occurred just before 1 p.m., according to authorities.
A representative with the Los Angeles Fire Department said the injured man, who is in his 40s, was trying to funnel mash sediments into a tanker truck at the facility on Roscoe Boulevard when he somehow fell into the mixture, which was 180 degrees. He was able to pull himself out of the mash vat before rescuers arrived.
Responding paramedics transported the victim to the Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills. He suffered first- and second-degree burns to 30 percent of his body, including his thighs.
Burns are very serious injuries that can require weeks or months of medical care and recovery time, during which an injured individual may not be able to work. Most California workers are covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance and may file a benefits claim if they are injured on the job. These benefits can help cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and a portion of any wages lost during recovery.
Unfortunately, employers and insurance companies sometimes attempt to deny or delay rightful workers’ compensation claims. Anyone who has been injured on the job may wish to enlist the aid of an attorney when filing their claim. A lawyer could help their client prepare the proper paperwork and ensure all necessary requirements and deadlines are met. If someone has already been denied benefits, an attorney may be able to successfully appeal the decision and obtain the funds an injured worker needs.
Source: CBSLA.com, “Van Nuys Brewery Worker Suffers Serious Burns In Accident,” Feb. 8, 2015
Source: Contra Costa Times, “Brewery worker injured after falling into mash vat,” Feb. 8, 2015
