All Louisiana construction workers face dangers at work every day. However, road construction crews have the added hazard of speeding vehicles that pass close to them continuously. This puts each of them at the risk of suffering a workplace injury caused by a third party who failed to slow down and pay attention in the construction zone.
Many road construction projects are done after dark in order to take advantage of lesser traffic. The dangers are evident enough during the daylight hours, but when crews work at night, the risk of injury increases exponentially. Even with the use of lights, reflective vests and other safety measures, it can be difficult to see workers — especially at a high rate of speed.
Two recent accidents on Louisiana 30 prompted the Louisiana State Police to remind drivers that reduced speeds in construction zones are not there to inconvenience them, but instead, they are necessary in order to help protect the people who work in the area. In one accident, a hit-and-run driver seriously injured a man. Authorities were still searching for the vehicle and its driver at last report. The second accident involved a head-on collision that killed a worker.
The injured worker and the family of a deceased worker may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits as a result of a workplace injury. However, it may also be possible to file third-party claims against the drivers responsible for the accidents in which these men were involved. Successfully litigated claims could result in an award of damages if the negligence of the party or parties deemed responsible is established to the satisfaction of the court.
Workplace Injury
2 Men Suffer a Fatal Workplace Injury in Louisiana
Workers out in the field in the oil and gas industry understand the potential dangers of their jobs. The volatile liquids and gases they work with could ignite at any time. Two men recently suffered a fatal workplace injury at a gas well in Louisiana.
The two men were focused on a pressure test of the well. For some reason, the high pressure involved in the test caused a component of the well to break free. The two workers suffered fatal injuries to which they succumbed at the job site. A third person suffered injuries for which he was treated at a local hospital. The hospital released him the same day.
No further details concerning the cause of the accident were reported. An investigation is underway by investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, along with state and local officials. The victims were both from Texas, but the gas well they were working on is located in Lincoln Parish.
Apparently, Wildhorse Operations has no known history with OSHA in Louisiana. Of the nearly 50 wells that Wildhorse has received permission to drill, about half are near the production stage. It could be some time before any information is available regarding the details of the accident.
When a workplace injury occurs, determining its cause may prevent similar incidents in the future. In the meantime, the families of the two deceased men may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits to cover the expense of burying their loved ones. It may also be possible for covered dependents to receive a compensation package for the loss of income. Moreover, the injured worker may also be entitled to benefits — at least to cover any medical attention necessary and time off from work as he struggles to recover.
Workplace Injury a Concern at Louisiana Chemical Plants
In a time when the economy is still recovering from a recession, many people are grateful to find work — even if its dangerous. As more chemical plants open up in Louisiana, the risk of workplace injury may also increase. In the wake of several chemical plant explosions, the focus on workplace safety in chemical plants has increased.
These plants are in a period of rapid expansion, and there is concern that worker safety may be compromised. This is part of the reason that a new oversight group has been created and agencies are encouraged to share information in an effort to improve the handling and storage of dangerous chemicals. Even though the American Chemical Council reports that there has been a 58 percent drop in chemical plant accidents, there is still room for improvement.
Recently, a plant located in the town of Geismar that is nestled between Baton Rouge and New Orleans had an explosion that killed two workers and injured over 100 more. The next day, a fertilizer plant on the other side of the river in Donaldsonville had an explosion that led to the death of one worker and the injury of eight workers. These are just two of many plants that make up what has been called a “chemical corridor” where nearly one-fourth of the petrochemicals in the United States are processed.
Anyone in Louisiana that works at a chemical plant may understand that there are certain dangers that accompany the job. However, that does not mean that employers should not be held responsible for doing everything possible to prevent a workplace injury. Unfortunately, even when an employer is diligent and focuses on worker safety, the possibility of injury or death still exists. In those cases, workers or their families may receive workers’ compensation benefits designed to assist with the financial difficulties associated with recovery or the loss of a loved one.
Louisiana Man Files Lawsuit After Workplace Injury
Back in February of this year, a construction worker was assigned to a project at a Louisiana hospital. While working at the site, he suffered a serious workplace injury. Recently, he filed a lawsuit against the construction company he was working for at the time he was injured.
While working in the engineering building at the job site, the injured man was tasked with pumping water from the tunnel. As he was doing so, he noticed an electrical cord on the ground. He picked it up and got shocked. According to court documents, he wasn’t sure he was being shocked at first, but knew that he was somehow unable to move.
He then reached out to steady himself and grabbed a ring near the entrance of the tunnel that was made of metal. His hands were allegedly burned when he grabbed the ring. He somehow managed to get outside where he ended up falling to the ground.
People rushed to help the man. His claims indicate that when his gloves were removed, his hands appeared to have “melted” and looked blackened. He was taken to the hospital and remained there while he recovered from his injuries.
Now, the man has accused the Louisiana construction company of not ensuring that any and all known hazards were removed from the work site prior to sending him into the tunnel. The cord was attached to a generator that the worker had not been given any training on, and he claims that his employer failed to warn him of the potential hazard that led to his workplace injury. If the court agrees with the man, then he may be awarded the damages he is seeking including but not limited to lost wages, pain and suffering and medical bills associated with his injury.