Of all the hazards facing construction workers here in Colorado and around the country, falling is often touted as being one of the most common dangers that leads to injury or death. Sometimes, when work is being done at an existing business, the business’ employees could be victims of the same hazards. For example, five people on the West Coast recently plunged 20 feet at a construction site at a casino. Reports do not indicate whether the injured workers were construction company employees or casino employees.
The casino is undergoing renovations. At approximately 3:15 p.m., local firefighters were called to the scene. They found five people who had suffered a wide variety of injuries, which ranged from minor to moderate. All of them were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Few details regarding the circumstances that led to the accident are currently available, along with the identity of the victims.
The workers’ compensation system in California — where the accident took place — should cover the medical expenses of the five injured workers. If it becomes necessary for any of them to be out of work while under a doctor’s care, additional benefits such as temporary disability may be available. Even a moderate injury can affect whether a worker is able to perform the duties of his or her job, and sometimes temporary disability may become permanent.
As is the case here in Colorado, these are not necessarily the only benefits the more seriously injured workers may receive. To be sure that an employee receives all of the benefits to which he or she is entitled, it may be beneficial to consult with someone familiar with how the workers’ compensation system works. Otherwise, the process could prove frustrating and time-consuming, which could affect not only a person’s finances, but his or her recovery as well.
Source: ktla.com, “5 Workers Injured in Fall at Construction Site in City of Commerce“, John A. Moreno, Jan. 3, 2015
