The accident occurred near midtown Atlanta, where the 2 men were working on a mobile lift in a 40-foot bucket. At some point, the lift became stuck. The men had been working on the exterior of an apartment building when the lift became stuck. As the workers attempted to move the lift, it collapsed on a concrete walkway. The 2 men were flung onto the ground, and sustained serious injuries. They were taken to the Grady Memorial Hospital, but succumbed to their injuries later. The victims included a 29-year-old man and a 42-year-old man. According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, the 2 men died from injuries they sustained in the fall. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun an investigation into the accident. The lift was at a height of 40 feet, but the 2 men were not crushed by the machinery when they fell. 

Heavy equipment accidents can include all types of heavy machinery, including cranes, forklifts, trucks, compactors, backhoes, and bulldozers. Many of these accidents are caused because workers have not been trained to use the equipment properly. Additionally, accidents can be avoided if workers are supervised during operations. 

Often, workers are at a risk of accidents because of defective equipment. A piece of equipment that has a defective component is more likely to malfunction, causing injuries. Besides, equipment also needs to be maintained regularly in order to avoid accidents. Machinery that requires repairs must be kept aside, or removed from service until it has been fixed. Employers who fail to do so could be placing their employees at risk of injuries. Equipment may also be a risk to workers if it has been heavily loaded or overloaded. For instance, overloaded cranes or forklifts can be a serious safety hazard to workers to workers nearby.

Equipment that has been placed in an unsafe area, like near high-tension power lines, or near holes and other obstacles, may also increase the risks of injuries to workers. In many of heavy equipment-related accidents, workers may suffer catastrophic injuries like brain injuries, amputations and crushing injuries.

The Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent workers who have been injured in industrial or workplace accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, speak with a workers’ compensation attorney at our firm.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found fall hazards during inspection of roofing work being performed at a site on Roosevelt Highway in Union City. The company had been constructing a recycling facility in Union City. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the inspection was part of a local program to protect workers in the construction industry from fall accidents. 

Inspectors found at least three willful violations, including exposure of the workers to fall hazards by allowing them to work at heights of 35 feet without requiring any fall protection, exceeding the load capacity of the aerial lift, and failure to provide for protection for all employees working on a steep roof.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the company Midsouth Steel Inc. knowingly exposed workers to fall hazards because they were more concerned with getting the job done faster than safety considerations. The company has been placed in the agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which means that the agency is likely to conduct follow-up inspections of the company’s sites to make sure the company is complying with the law. The company faces fines of approximately $184,800.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an average of 362 fall accident deaths occurred every year between 1995 and 1999. Fall deaths account for approximately one third of all fatalities in the construction sector. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has strict rules governing protections for construction workers, including those related to fall hazards.

Construction workers who have been injured in workplace accidents, including scaffolding collapses and accidents, trench collapses, electrocutions and fall accidents are eligible for compensation under Georgia's Workers Compensation laws. Workers do not have to prove that anybody was responsible for their injuries, in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if the injury was caused by a third-party, like the manufacturer of a defective tool or product, then the worker may be able to file a third-party lawsuit.

The man's employer, Vulcan Materials and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration are investigating the work accident. In the event there is a personal injury claim against a third-party in addition to any workers’ compensation claim, the reports from these investigations will be vitally important. to the personal injury lawyer handling the case.

Many occupations require workers to be in close contact with high-voltage power lines. These workers include construction workers, mining workers, truck drivers, people in the tree trimming and tree service industry, and agricultural workers. Electrical utility workers are also often in close contact with power lines. However, the difference between electrical workers and other types of workers is that electrical utility workers are generally trained to identify the dangers of electrocution in their work, and avoid these dangers. Other types of workers may not have the benefit of such training.

It's not just people on trucks or cranes who are at risk of coming in contact with a high-voltage overhead power line. People who are working on ladders, or standing on construction scaffolding, or using window washing equipment may also be at risk of contact with power lines. 

Employees must also be trained to maintain a safe working distance from all high tension power lines. Ideally, all materials and equipment should be at least 10 feet away from power lines, and a greater distance in the case of high-voltage power lines.

Whenever a worker is in proximity to a high tension power line, there must be another worker whose job is to identify electrical injury or electrocution risks. The operator of the vehicle on his own may not be able to identify risks.

In some cases, it's also possible for an employer to get in touch with a local utility company, and ask the company to de-energize the lines temporarily. In fact, it's a good idea to keep the utility company in the loop, and work with the utility company to minimize the risk of electrical hazards for employees.

The Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent persons injured in workplace accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, speak with the Workers’ Compensation lawyer at our firm to learn your rights.

According to the report, data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics may be inaccurate because it underestimates the actual number of construction workers who are injured every year. The data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not include self employed or federal construction workers injured in accidents every year. These workers constitute approximately 25% of the national construction workforce. Data that does not factor in construction accidents and injuries that involve a quarter of the national construction worker population, is likely to be inaccurate. Additionally, Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers often find that small construction companies are likely to under report injuries, or fail to report these injuries.

According to the report, recent changes made by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to record-keeping procedures could also likely have contributed to underreporting of construction injuries. Between 2001 and 1995, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration made changes to its procedures, and has probably inadvertently encouraged underreporting such injuries. 

Further, the Bureau of Labor Statistics data represents just a quarter of the injuries suffered by Hispanic construction workers in small companies. Approximately 42,000 of construction injuries that occur in small construction establishments are not reported annually. The researchers analyzed construction accident data at small establishments that employed 40% of Hispanic workers, and found that between 8% and 16% of the construction worker injuries at these companies were reported. In comparison, in establishments that employed up to 35% of white, non-Hispanic workers, between 21% and 25% of construction injuries were reported.

The authors of the study suggest that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration focus on construction injury prevention efforts at small construction firms. The authors also want a modification in employment recordkeeping standards, so that injuries suffered by independent contractors are also reflected in official records.

The Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent construction workers injured in accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you have been injured in a construction accident, speak with a Workers’ Compensation lawyer at our firm.

Data suggests that the number of persons actually killed as a result of workplace violence has stayed more or less consistent over the past 14 years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 500 people died in 2010 due to workplace violence. There has been a lot of focus on preventing specific types of injuries in the workplace, like fall accidents or accidents involving machinery. Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers find that there is little attention paid to the issue of workplace violence, and ways to prevent it.

Last month a workplace violence incident in California drew attention to this very serious safety issue. The incident occurred at the Lehigh Southwest Cement Permanente Plant, where an employee opened fire on coworkers at a meeting. They were about 15 people at the meeting. Three of them were killed. At least six other people sustained injuries. There is no information yet about what caused this rampage.

Experts warn that many companies have an ingrained culture that encourages employers to neglect any signs of potentially troubling behavior employee. This can be dangerous. Employers need to be aware of workers who may have any history of the psychological or mental health problems. 

Experts also recommend the establishment of a threat assessment team. The job of the team should be to identify workers who may have psychological issues, and to make efforts to reach out to them. This team must consist of attorneys, psychological health experts, security personnel and other professionals.

Employers must have a zero-tolerance policy towards violence in the workplace. Employers must also work to foster a workplace culture that encourages the reporting of incidents of violence. This includes making sure that any worker who reports incidents of violence, does suffer from any retaliatory behavior.

In most cases, stressed and anxious workers will deal with their frustrations and stresses in an acceptable and appropriate manner. In those few cases where workers are pressured to take out their frustrations in the workplace, employers must be prepared to act. 

The Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm help workers who have been injured in workplace accidents, recover compensation. If you have been injured in a workplace accident in Atlanta, contact a Workers’ Compensation lawyer at our firm.

The inspections were focused on identifying violations that increased the risk of workers suffering fall accidents in the construction industry. Overall, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Ganaway Contracting Co. Inc. for repeat violations that included worker exposure to fall hazards. These type of construction accidents often result in the most significant workers’ compensation claims due to the severe personal injuries involved. Workers’ compensation attorneys have always advocated for tough punishments of companies which repeatedly engage in unsafe practices.

Agency inspectors found that the company allowed workers to work from heights of above 15 feet without requiring any kind of fall protection, used ladders with missing or broken parts, and used ladders that did not sufficiently extend beyond the landing surface of the roof. The company also did not require workers to wear eye protection when they were performing critical tasks, like using pneumatic nail guns and electric drills. Repeat violations are issued when a company has earlier been cited for the same violations or similar violations. In this case, Ganaway Contracting Co. Inc. had been cited for similar violations in Alabama as well as in Oakwood, Georgia.

The company was also cited for several serious violations. These also involved exposure of workers to dangerous fall hazards. Workers were allowed to work on a wooden platform supported by a forklift, even though the forklift manual expressly  forbids the use of the forklift for this purpose. The company also failed to provide workers personal fall protection gear and failed to require workers to use protective headgear in environments where they could be injured by falling materials. Serious violations are those where there is a substantial risk of personal injury or wrongful death from a hazard, of which the employer should have been aware.

Many of these violations are the kind that Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers find frequently in the construction sector. Fall accidents are some of the most frequent accident hazards on a construction site. These are also the most easily preventable. Most fall accidents can be prevented by the installation of guardrails, and providing employees working beyond a specific height with appropriate fall protection gear. Sometimes, fall accidents are caused because of defective or damaged ladders and other equipment. These accidents can be prevented when employers invest in safe, sturdy and well-maintained equipment.

The Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm help workers who have been injured in a workplace accident recover compensation for their injuries. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, contact an attorney at our firm for a free initial consultation.

Researchers with the Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention program used inspection data and workers’ compensation claims. The data came from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, and involved claims between 1998 and 2008. The researchers were pleasantly surprised to find that inspections by the Department of Labor and Industries automatically translated into a substantial reduction in Workers Compensation injury claims. There was also a reduction in the costs of claims after these inspection visits. These results were no surprise to workers’ compensation lawyers who have longed advocated for more frequent safety inspections.

That's not all. The researchers also found that the greatest decrease in workers’ Workers’ Compensation claims came after an inspection resulted in a citation. The researchers found that when the inspection resulted in citations for workplace safety, there was a reduction of as much as 20% in worker injury claims, compared to work sites that were not subjected to an inspection. What's more, the reduction in worker injury claims resulting from inspections also enhanced the company’s bottom line.

When inspections were conducted at fixed-site businesses, it resulted in a 4.3% decline in injury claims, compared to those sites where such inspections were not conducted. When these inspections were conducted at non-fixed-site businesses like construction sites, there was a 3.1% decline in workers compensation claims.

Under Georgia law's, every employer that has three or more workers is required to purchase Workers’ Compensation coverage for employees. Any employee who is injured in a workplace accident is eligible to file a Workers’ Compensation claim. When the employer has Workers’ Compensation coverage, employees are not eligible to file a separate injury claim against the employer.

Injured Georgia workers may be eligible for medical benefits, and disability benefits. In the case of a fatal accident, survivors may be eligible for death benefits. Medical costs can include hospitalization fees, medication costs and even rehabilitation treatment. However, all medical care must be provided by a panel-approved doctor or provider. Workers may also be eligible for disability benefits, depending on the type of injury and the extent of disability.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation claim after you have been injured should be simple and convenient. Unfortunately, it, very often, isn't. Employers often deny claims or delay paying out claims. In such cases, you may have the right to file an appeal with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. However, the time to file a Workers’ Compensation claim appeal is within one year from the date of injury.

The Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm help workers who have been injured in a workplace accident recover compensation for their injuries. 

The month of August also saw another fatal electrocution accident in Georgia. A Georgia Power Co. lineman was electrocuted when he came into contact with a power line near Brookfield. The worker and his colleagues were trying to restore power after a line was cut. At some point, the worker came in contact with a live line, and was electrocuted. These accidents are an ever present reminder of the need to increase the level of benefits provided to the family of workers killed by on-the-job accidents.

Almost every worker is exposed to some degree of electrical energy while working. However, some types of workers may be at a higher risk of electrical accidents and electrocutions, because of the nature of their work. For instance, electricians or lineman working for power companies are clearly exposed to greater electrical injury hazards that the average construction worker.   

There are a number of ways that workers may be exposed to electrical hazards in the workplace. Contact with a high tension power line or a live wire almost always leads to fatal electrocution. However, workers can also suffer an electrical shock while working with defective power tools, or suffer serious burns as a result of contact with a live wire. Sometimes, the impact of an electrical shock may throw a person several feet away, and lead to a fall. 

Many electrical accidents that Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers come across are the result of an employer’s failure to implement appropriate safety measures or to provide necessary safety training. Workers must be trained to use electrical tools properly and specific guidelines should be established by an employer to protect workers. Electrical accidents can also occur as a result of defective equipment. Defective power tools and machinery, power cables or even wires that are not properly grounded, can be a cause of electrical injuries. These tools or cables may be dangerous because they have not been maintained properly. Wires that are frayed and have worn out installation, or tools that have exposed wires, can pose a serious electrical injury hazard to a worker. 

Workers who have been seriously injured in an electrical accident in Georgia may be eligible for compensation for their injuries under the state's Workers’ Compensation laws. These workers are eligible for medical benefits that include medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. Workers who have been seriously injured in an electrical accident are also eligible for lost wages and other disability benefits.

The Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent workers injured in workplace and industrial accidents, helping them recover rightful compensation for their injuries.

According to The Business Journals, the poor economy may have more of an impact on the decrease of workplace fatalities than anything else. Ironically, what should be a victory for workers across the United States may have actually come at their expense.

In 1970, the United States Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The purpose of OSHA was to “ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.  Goal was to decrease the number of workplace fatalities and injuries.” In addition to the establishment of OSHA in 1970, several states have also instituted workers’ compensation laws that provide compensation to workers, or their families, who have either been injured or killed while on the job.

Over the past years, since the establishment of OSHA, there has indeed been a decline of workplace injuries. According to the Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, the number of workplace fatalities is down significantly from the 14,000 estimated deaths that occurred in 1970. In 2010 there were 4,547 fatal work injuries in the United States, almost 10,000 less than in 1970.

According to the Business Journals, the decrease in hours worked in high risk industries like construction, lead to the decrease in injuries in those fields.  In 2010, fatal work injuries in the construction industry dropped 10 percent, and are down nearly 40 percent since 2006. Seeing that the construction industry is one of the hardest hit by the declining economy, this decrease in workplace injuries and fatalities, which would normally be advantageous for workers’, actually came at their expense.

Despite the ominous explanation for the recent decrease in workplace injuries and fatalities in the United States, hopefully in the future, as the economy turns around, the decrease in workplace injuries will be on account of increased occupational health and safety standards, not because of the decrease in the amount of jobs or people in the field. However, until the mission of OSHA is completely achieved, and there are no more workplace injuries and fatalities, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, like myself, will continue to represent the interests of those injured while on the job.

The company, 2-Brothers Enterprises Inc was cited for several willful and serious violations related to the trench collapse. The collapse occurred in February at a worksite in Cumming. In the trench was a twenty-year-old worker who was trapped by the falling soil. Emergency crews managed to extricate the worker, but he died from his injuries.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration began an inspection after it found out about the cave-in. When OSHA inspectors arrived at the scene, they found that the trench had been excavated to install a sewer line. The trench was approximately 40 foot long and 9 feet deep. However, there were no safeguards in place for protecting workers inside the trench. The trench walls were vertical, and unstable. Large amounts of soil and dirt had simply been stacked on the edges of the trench. In fact, the collapse had been triggered by these mounds of dirt falling into the trench. 

The Occupational Safety And Health Administration now says that there were several willful and serious violations that contributed to this trench collapse. There were 2 willful violations. The willful violations involved placing soil within 2 feet of the edge of the trench and failure to provide cave-in protection to workers inside the trench. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a willful violation is one that is committed with intentional disregard for worker safety. 

Trench shoring is one of the ways that excavations can be made safer for workers. Working in a trench is often seen as being dangerous work, but it doesn't have to be. The walls of the trench can be shored to stabilize them and prevent the risk of a trench cave-in. Additionally, workers must only be allowed to enter the trench, when it has been found to be safe for them to use.

The Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent workers who have been injured in construction accidents, crane accidents, fires and explosions and other types of workplace and industrial accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia.

The hefty price tag that accompanied the violations is understandable in light of the offenses. Says reporter Rick Romell of the Journal Sentinel, among the violations are: an inadequate guardrail; battery cables hanging outside the running lines of two forklifts; failure to ensure that refrigeration mechanics wear tight-fitting, annually tested respirators; and a lack of clear instructions in operating procedures for handling emergencies with equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) requires that employers provide their employees with work and a workplace that is free from recognized, serious hazards. Some duties under the act include:

1. Making sure employees are aware of all safety procedures and drills.
2. Implementing preventive measures to protect employees.
3. Posting safety warning signs and labels on areas and equipment that may potentially be dangerous.
4. Informing employees of their rights, which may include posting posters and information regarding workers’ compensation in employment manuals.

Perhaps OSHA intends this ruling to serve as a warning to similar companies who fail to implement proper safety measures and whose employees are often called upon to work in hazardous conditions. The statistics say quite a bit. In 2009 the U.S. Department of Labor reported over 3,000,000 recordable cases of nonfatal injuries in the workplace and 4,551 fatalities. Of the nonfatal injuries, 212,760 involved falls, 195,150 involved injuries to the back and 379,340 resulted in sprains, strains, and tears. All are injuries that could have occurred at the Tyson’s plant absent correction of the infractions.

In the event that a worker suffers an injury while on the job, he/she must be aware of the options available to them. Workers’ compensation provides an invaluable protection to workers in such situations – in more ways than one. It provides qualifying injured workers with weekly payments to cover loss of earnings and payment of medical expenses. When the injury requires time away from work, workers’ compensation may also provide vocational rehabilitation expenses to assist workers with their transition back into the work environment. Finally, if the injury results in a temporary or permanent impairment, a worker is generally entitled to payment based upon their impairment rating.

While retaining an attorney is not required to file a workers’ compensation claim, it is best to have the advice of counsel when pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, especially if the injured worker fears retaliation or harassment from his employer. Click here to speak with an attorney who may be able to assist you with your claim.

According to authorities, the entire accident was triggered when a piece of metal pipe fell from the ceiling of the addition, and crashed into the lift which was holding the worker. The impact caused the lift to jerk, and the worker fell about 20 feet below onto the pavement. He sustained serious injuries, and died.

According to news reports, the victim worked for a subcontractor on the project. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun an investigation into the accident. In the meantime, the site has been temporarily shut down. See Worker Killed in Fall.

The construction sector is one of the most dangerous workplaces for workers in the United States.   Out of every three worker accident deaths every year, one occurs in the construction industry. There are a number of ways that a worker could be injured on a construction site. Workers may be injured in slip and fall accidents, or by falling debris. They may be injured in accidents involving construction equipment, like forklifts.  Construction workers are also at a higher risk of electrocution involving high-tension overhead and underground power lines. 

No matter how your construction fall accident occurs, you may be eligible for compensation under Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Workers’ Compensation laws do not require that your accident be the result of your employer’s negligence or the negligence of your coworkers for you to be eligible for compensation. Every injured worker is entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits.

However, it is important for you to begin the process of filing your Workers’ Compensation claim as quickly as possible. As soon as you have been injured, make sure that you receive proper medical care and attention for your injuries. Your injury must be treated by a doctor or physician who has been approved by your employer to treat injured workers. 

Make sure that the injury is reported to your supervisor immediately. If you fail to report the injury in a timely manner, you may not be eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits.After you have received medical care, complete the paperwork that is necessary to make a Workers’ Compensation claim and submit it. 

In addition to having a workers’ compensation claim, if a third party who is not your employer or someone employed by your employer caused the injury, you also have a right to sue that person or company. A “third-party” action will allow you to recover pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. If a co-worker or your employer caused the injury, you are only entitle to workers’ compensation benefits.

Unfortunately, disagreements over Workers’ Compensation arise far more frequently than workers know. That's why it can help to seek the counsel of an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyer before you begin filing your claim.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of injured older workers in the workforce increased from 12 % in 2003 to 17% in the latest estimates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that much of the reason for this increase has been the fact that there are more older workers in the workforce now than ever before. During these troubled economic times, many seniors who had been looking forward to retirement, have been forced to re-enter the workforce instead. In many cases, these older workers are entering a work environment that has simply not taken their specific safety issues into consideration.

For instance, older workers may be at a high risk of certain types of accidents, like slip and fall accidents. They may also be at a high risk of fall accidents from elevated surfaces, or from ladders and stairways. These falls can leave an older worker with serious injuries, like fractures, hip fractures, broken ribs and other injuries. A hip fracture, for instance, can mean the end of an older worker’s ability to earn a livelihood. In fact, studies show that older persons who suffer a hip fracture, have a much higher risk of dying within a year after suffering the injury, than those who have not suffered a hip injury.

If you have been injured in a workplace accident, contact an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation attorney to understand your rights.

A worker at a wastewater treatment plant in Hall County has suffered serious burn injuries in an electrical accident this week. This type of accident generally results in a complex workers compensation claim. The workers compensation insurance company often launches an immediate investigation to determine if there is any basis to deny the claim. The insurance company will then work hard to direct the person’s care to limit their financial exposure in the matter. As Atlanta workers compensation attorneys are well aware, it is important for workers injured in severe accidents to obtain counsel as soon as reasonably possible.

Also, this type of accident often results in a personal injury claim against a third party. For instance, the injuries may have resulted from a defective product or the negligence of a third party who previously worked on the device. Accordingly, a worker should make certain that the incident is thoroughly investigated for any potential third party personal injury claim.

The man, an electrician, was apparently the employee of a subcontractor, and was working at the County- owned Spout Springs Water Reclamation Facility when the electrical panel he was working on, exploded. The man suffered serious burn injuries, and was rushed to the Grady Memorial Hospital, one of the premier burn treatment facilities in the country.

According to the Hall County Fire Department, the worker was trying to locate some blown fuses, when the electrical accident caused a flash fire. As a result of the flash fire, the worker sustained second-degree burns to his arms and hands. The man was an employee of MacArthur Electric.

Burn injuries are some of the most common injuries sustained in an electrical accident. Electrical burn injuries may have deeper surface penetration, and may be much more serious than other kinds of burns in the workplace. The risk of serious electrical accidents and burn injuries may exist everywhere-from the workplace to your home. Burns may be caused due to the use of defective electrical tools, appliances or other electrical products. If these products have exposed or loose wiring or malfunctioning components, a user may be at a high risk of an electrical shock. 

Burn injuries in the workplace typically involve workers who work in close proximity to power lines and sources of electricity, like electricians. Construction workers may also be at a high risk of electrical accidents, because of malfunctioning tools. Besides, crane operators may be at a high risk of electrocution from contact with high-voltage overhead power lines.

The Atlanta Workers Compensation lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent victims injured in workplace accidents across Georgia.

The accident occurred on March 25, 1911, as workers, mainly tailors and seamstresses, at the factory were about to head home for the day. Many of them never made it out. The building was already on fire, and most of the women, mainly young immigrants, were trapped inside the building. 

Shockingly, the doors had been locked, and many of the victims died trying to force them open. Some had no choice, but to jump out of the windows. The horrors inside the building were only matched by the incompetence outside. Firefighters rushed to the scene, but quickly found that their hoses would reach only the sixth floor of the Asch Building, which housed the factory on the 8^th, 9^th and 10^th floors. Firefighters were left with no other choice, but to form human chains to reach the higher floors, and use nets to catch those who desperately jumped out the windows. Most of these efforts were unsuccessful. After the tragedy, the factory owners were indicted for manslaughter, but were soon acquitted.

It was this tragedy that set the tone for compensation for workers after an accident, and ultimately workers’ compensation, as we know it. Unions demanded change and more safety regulations. The Factory Investigation Commission was set up, and soon after, the New York legislature enacted 36 statutes to regulate workplace safety, paving the way for the Workers’ Compensation Act.

A worker was killed earlier this week in a trench collapse in Augusta, Georgia. The 37 -year-old worker and another man were in the trench, working on pipes. The trench was about 6-feet deep. According to news reports, water began to seep into the trench, and one wall collapsed. The two men were quickly buried under the sand. Firefighters were able to pull one worker out of the sand, digging frantically with their shovels and hands. However, they could do nothing to reach Augusta-resident Jimmy Roubles, who likely asphyxiated just a few minutes after being buried by the sand. He was declared dead just after noon. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified about his death. 

Recovering Roubles’ body proved to be a challenge to the firefighters, with only one firefighter being allowed into the trench at a time to avoid another collapse. The body was recovered at about 3 PM. That delay in recovering the worker’s body should give Atlanta construction accident lawyers a sense of the instability of the trench. 

Families of workers killed on the job in Georgia may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation death benefits that work out to approximately two-thirds of the deceased worker’s weekly wage at the time of the accident. The spouse and dependent minor children of the worker may be eligible for these benefits. Besides, a surviving spouse of a worker may also be eligible for burial expenses. Dependent minor children of the deceased worker may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation payments until they reach 18 years of age.

The Atlanta Workers’ Compensation attorneys at the Katz Law Firm help injured workers recover the Workers’ Compensation payments that are due to them.

                Jan W. Braunstein, the Owner of OnSite Rehab Physical Therapy, decided to incorporate large screen televisions into the company’s gym when they opened a new location. She understood that therapists in other parts of the country who incorporated Wii into the workout routine saw some positive results. She sees the Wii as an excellent way to motivate injured workers to perform their regular exercises. Ms. Braunstein points out that if more employees worked out regularly with Wii, they would likely strengthen their muscles resulting in a decrease in on-the-job injuries.

                If you are an injured worker and believe that using Wii in your exercise routine would be helpful, you will likely need to prepare for a  fight to get the device in your home. Workers compensation insurers and employers will be very weary of authorizing payment for the devices. To fight this battle as well as all the other battles that generally arise when you are trying to get the care you need to return to work, you should consider hiring a qualified workers compensation attorney. If you would like to have a free consultation regarding your workers compensation claim, click here to contact the law office of Robert N. Katz.

Sugar Refinery Explosion Report Says Fire Entirely Preventable

At the time, it was one of the worst industrial disasters in the country, and the most devastating Georgia Workers' Compensation lawyers had seen in decades. When combustible sugar dust at a refinery near Savannah ignited and exploded last year, it set off a blazing fire that razed much of the facility. Fourteen 14 workers at the Imperial Sugar Refinery were killed and 36 injured, many of them severely burnt. Now, the Chemical Safety Board has issued its report on the accident, and the agency's findings are a damning indictment of the plant's managers and owners.

According to the report, there were several factors that were to blame for the explosion, and all of them were entirely preventable. Poor maintenance, improper equipment design and substandard housekeeping were at the root of the explosion and fire. Worse, according to the report, managers were aware about the dangers of an explosion from combustible sugar dust, but failed to take measures to prevent the tragedy. In fact, the sugar industry had been aware of the dangers of sugar dust igniting and setting off an explosion and fire, as far back as 1925.

The Chemical Safety Board report says the Savannah explosion most likely occurred inside a conveyor that had been enclosed. The enclosed conveyer created a small confined space where sugar dust accumulated, generating conditions that were ripe for a dangerous explosion. When Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials conducted an inspection after the tragedy, they found that in some places, sugar dust accumulation was up to four feet deep.

In July, last year OSHA proposed that a fine of $8.7 million be imposed on Imperial Sugar, which has appealed the fine.

A fire at the Equinox Chemical Plant in Albany has left one person severely burnt. The flash fire occurred on April 15^th. 37-year-old Jason Pate suffered second and third degree burn injuries over up to 70% of his body. He was taken to the Augusta Burn Center where his condition has been listed as critical.

According to preliminary investigations, Pate was operating chemical machinery when two gas kit seals suddenly ruptured, due to pressure. That caused the manifold system to blow off the Acetylene, igniting and sparking a fire. The company has shut down production, pending an investigation of the accident. Firefighters remained at the plant all night to ensure that all Acetylene tanks were empty, and there was no danger of fire. 

Fire safety is imperative in a chemical plant where the risk of fire and explosions is always present. Burns that result from a chemical fire are severe, leaving long term scars. These burns are extremely painful, and cause significant tissue damage. In cases that are as severe as Pate's case here, skin grafting may be necessary. All this means many days away from work while the body heals enough to allow for skin graft surgery, as well as a long healing period later.

Second and third degree burns are the most serious levels of burn injuries. While in a first degree burn, only the first layer of skin is damaged, in a second degree burn, two layers of the skin are burned. Blisters form, and the skin has a shiny, wet looking appearance. The skin also has a deep red color, and is painful. In a third degree burn, all layers of the skin are damaged, and there is damage to tissues too. Here, the burnt areas will be red and swollen, and the person will be in severe pain. A patient can quickly go into shock, and skin will be charred or white. These burns take a longer time to heal. Even with skin grafts and treatment, these burns may leave behind permanent scaring.  The skin in the burnt area may not recover its normal function ever.

The recovery period involved in a burn injury increases with the percentage of the body that has been burnt. A person with more than 50% burns on his body has a higher risk of fatality, and if he survives, has a much longer road to recovery.

Georgia Worker Compensation Attorney

Georgia’s Worker Compensation laws allow for compensation to an injured worker which can cover the cost of his medical expenses, including expenses that may come up in future. For instance, in burn injuries, as the skin continues to heal and change in appearance, there may be the need for more reconstructive surgeries to restore the appearance of the skin. This will involve additional costs.

If you have questions about Worker's Compensation rights, an experienced Georgia Worker's Compensation attorney can help you find the answers you need.

Construction sites are some of the most dangerous work places, with the industry occupying 3^rd place in the number of work-related fatalities every year. Most of these accidents are completely preventable, if only employers make provisions for proper training of workers and adequate safety measures. In one such preventable accident, a construction foreman in Cartersville, Georgia was killed earlier this month in a trench collapse accident.

James Hilbish was working in the trench as part of a sewer line installation on the 4^th of February when the cave in occurred. The trench was reportedly 30 feet in depth, and at least 25 to 30 feet in length His body was found more than 3 hours later.  Hilbish worked for an Alabama company which had subcontracted the job from the Bartow County Water Department. No other injuries were reported in the accident.

A trench collapse is one of the most dangerous of all accidents on a construction site. The process of heaping mounds of soil on top of the trench walls can lead to the wall becoming weak and unstable.  Besides, the soil that's piled high on the walls can quickly shift under provocation, and began to pour into the trench within seconds. When this happens, any workers inside the trench are at risk for death by suffocation. In most cases, attempts to rescue workers can be extremely difficult because of the speed with which such collapses occur. Rescue attempts are also made more dangerous by the fact that disturbing the soil further can trigger off more cave-ins. That’s why these accidents so often result in fatalities.

Atlanta Worker's Compensation Attorney

Although trench work is dangerous in nature, employers can take steps to prevent a collapse. Precautions must be taken to stock the excavated soil away from the mouth of the trench, so that the soil, which can weigh tons, does not pose a hazard to the workers in the trench. Workers must also be provided ladders or some other protection systems through which they can make their way out of the trench in the early signs of a cave-in.  Unfortunately, very often, employers fail to take adequate safety precautions in an effort to cut costs. Injured workers may seek the help of an Atlanta Workers Compensation attorney to help recover damages for their injuries. In case of a worker's death, his family can file a lawsuit with the help of a Georgia wrongful death lawyer to recover funeral costs, lost wages etc.