A recent accident at Cardinal Aluminum claimed the life of a young man who was working at the plant. The employee was struck and killed by a piece of machinery while he was working. Officials from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and other agencies are investigating the incident. This tragic accident illustrates the danger of machinery in the workplace.
Machinery plays a large role in many workplaces, especially in fields like manufacturing and construction. Some of the machines that are found in workplaces are mobile, like cranes and forklifts, while others are stationery, like saws, drill presses, and grinders. When machinery is used safely, it enables workers to complete jobs effectively and efficiently. Unfortunately, machines do pose a risk to everyone in the workplace, including their operators.
Some workplace accidents that involve machinery are caused by defective machines, improperly maintained machines, or machines that do not have the proper guards or other safety features in place. Other workplace accidents are attributable to workers who have not been properly trained to operate the machines that they are using. Workers sometimes do not have access to equipment like protective clothing and footwear that they need in order to operate the machines in their work environment safely.
Injuries that are caused by machinery in the workplace vary, depending upon the nature of the machinery involved. Cuts, broken bones, and amputated fingers, toes, or limbs are just some of the types of injuries that can occur in a workplace where machinery is used. Machinery accidents can also cause full or partial disability. Some machinery accidents are fatal, such as those that can occur when heavy equipment runs over a worker in its path, or when a worker falls into a machine and is killed by its moving parts before the machine can be stopped.
Employees who are injured by machinery in the workplace are usually aware that they can seek compensation for their injuries though workers' compensation. This is certainly true, but in some cases, it is not the only avenue by which an injured worker can recover. If the accident that injured you was caused by dangerous conditions in the workplace or some other failure on the part of your employer, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them for things like pain and suffering, which are not generally covered by worker's compensation.
If you were injured or a family member was killed in a workplace accident involving any type of machinery, it is important that you call a Kentucky Workplace Injury Attorney right away. Workplace accident cases can be complicated, because multiple parties could possibly be responsible for the injury or loss that you or your family have sustained. The experienced Kentucky Workplace Injury Attorneys at Goeing Goeing and McQuinn, PLLC can help you navigate the Workman's Compensation process and determine whether there are other avenues that you could to pursue to obtain the recovery that you deserve. Call us today, or visit our website to learn more about how we can help you.