When most people in California consider dangerous occupations, they often think of police officers and firefighters whose jobs require them to rush toward danger. While people in such professions face dangers, those who work in construction face the possibility of serious injuries due to construction accidents. Unfortunately, one person was seriously injured in a recent workplace accident in another state.
Reports indicate that the accident happened at approximately 10 a.m. one morning on a day in mid-December. Three workers were reportedly working on scaffolding at a shopping center. The project includes renovating a three-story building that is currently vacant.
Officials believe that wind may have caused the scaffolding to collapse. One worker was able to escape, uninjured, onto the roof, while another suffered minor injuries after escaping onto a ledge on the second story. Unfortunately, the third worker fell to the ground, suffering serious injuries. The exact extent of his injuries is unclear. Representative from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were at the scene, initiating an investigation.
Unfortunately, a fall can result in injuries requiring extensive medical treatment. Many workers injured in construction accidents such as this in California discover that they are never able to return to work in the same capacity. However, they are likely entitled to workers’ compensation insurance benefits. These benefits can help injured workers with medical expenses and the costs of retraining if injuries are severe enough to prevent the worker from returning to the same position. Because most people injured in such accidents are unaware of the processes involved in securing an adequate settlement, many seek the help of an attorney who can fight on their behalf.
Source: deseretnews.com, “Two injured in scaffolding collapse at The Gateway“, Pat Reavy, Dec. 15, 2016
