One might expect an injury at a scene of a demolition as opposed to a day at the standard office, for example. However, standards and regulations in place even at the site of a demolition should keep all parties involved safe and free from a work accident. Unfortunately, this was not the case at a recent demolition in California. Authorities are investigating after several people were wounded.
An implosion took place around six in the morning in August. Unfortunately, shrapnel traveled over a road and critically injured one man and caused injuries to several others. The incident is being investigated by both OSHA and the California Public Utilities Commission. Experts in the demolition field, unrelated to this particular incident, list several different mistakes that could have been made to cause the flying shrapnel.
Unfortunately, this month’s incident isn’t the first injury related to this particular building’s demolition. Last year, a 51-year-old man was working on a lift when he fell to his death. A fine of over $20,000 was levied by OSHA against the company responsible at that time.
Such injuries sustained in this most recent incident can create unexpected financial setbacks. If any of the injured people were employees of the company, they are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Most states, including California, require employers to provide such coverage in order protect the financial well-being of their employees in the event of a work accident by providing proper compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Even the surviving dependents of the man killed in the previous accident likely qualify for such benefits. Oftentimes, people will look for options to ensure that they receive all the compensation they are entitled to in a timely manner.