Workers who are injured on the job may fear precisely how the incident might affect their income. The injury could make it difficult or impossible for them to continue their duties, or require significant medical attention, all of which can cost an employee financially. Fortunately, workers’ compensation — commonly called workman’s comp — exists to help those employees make ends meet until they can resume working. A recent accident here in Colorado involving a pipe worker may serve as a reminder that employees have options if they’ve been hurt on the job.
The worker was repairing a pipe as part of his job with Colorado Pipe Services. Standing in a trench, he apparently became trapped by a cave-in and was unable to move. The sand and dirt reportedly went all the way up to his waist, and rescue workers said that the weight of it made it impossible for the man to budge. Two hours later, he was freed and taken to a local hospital.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the company may have been in violation of certain safety procedures designed to prevent cave-ins. The company was fined for violations of that nature around 7 years ago while operating under a different name. No one from Colorado Pipe Services has spoken publicly at this time in regard to the incident.
Employees who are hurt while performing their job duties, or the families who lose loved ones to workplace accidents, may decide to file a workman’s comp claim. These state regulated insurance benefits can be used to cover any medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages or other bills that may have arisen due to the event. It may help employees to educate themselves on the precise laws and procedures concerning workers’ compensation.
Source: thedenverchannel.com, “OSHA investigates possible safety violations after worker trapped in Aurora trench collapse”, Lindsay Watts, Alan Gathright, July 15, 2014
