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.

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.

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.

The Department Of Transportation has announced its annual National Work Zone Awareness Week which will last from 19 April to 23 April.

Every year, the federal administration declares a special week dedicated to highway work zone safety. This year, there are expected to be several active highway repair and construction projects in Georgia. That means Atlantans and Georgians will enjoy better designed, well constructed and safer roadways. It also means that there will be several active work zones across Georgia, increasing the risk of accidents to both motorists as well as construction workers. It’s these accident risks that National Work Zone Awareness Week is attempting to minimize.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is also drawing attention to the fact that highway work zone accidents kill more motorists than construction workers. In 2005, there were 61 work zone fatalities in Georgia. These were deaths that were entirely preventable.

Most work zone accidents can be traced to speeding motorists, but there are other factors like drunk, distracted and negligent driving that can cause accidents. Look out for posted speed limits as you near a work zone. Slow down accordingly. Switch off your cell phone when you enter a work zone. Follow the same steps when you travel through a work zone at night.

It’s important to remember that it may be just another stretch of congested road for you, but for the construction workers, this is their workplace.

The Atlanta car accident lawyers at the Katz Law Firm represent injured victims of automobile accidents in the metro Atlanta area, and throughout the state of Georgia.