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Workplace Accidents on TV and Movie Sets More Common that Most Realize

On Behalf of | Nov 23, 2016 | Georgia Work Accidents, Georgia Workers' Compensation |

Workplace accidents are not limited to just a few industries. While most people think of workplace accidents occurring on construction sites and in other inherently dangerous occupations, the reality is that workplace accidents happen across the board. In fact, according to a recent article by the Associated Press, workplace accidents occurring on TV and movie sets are fairly common and grossly unreported.

The article discusses several accidents that occurred on TV and movie sets across the country in recent years, including a 2014 accident that claimed the life of a young woman working as a camera assistant here in Georgia. Evidently, the woman was working on the set of “Midnight Rider,” a bio-pic about the rock-n-roll legend Gregg Allman, when the set supervisor failed to obtain the necessary permits to film on active train tracks. As a result, the county did not let the railroad company know about the project, and a train came crashing through the set, killing the young woman.

This is hardly the only workplace accident in the TV and movie industry. In fact, OSHA estimates that over the past two decades, 43 people have died on various sets, and another 150 have suffered lifelong injuries, such as amputation. However, the article notes that several well-known accidents – such as the shooting death of Brandon Lee during the filming of the movie “The Crow” – have been left out of the statistics.

 

Workers’ Compensation May Be Available to Injured Workers and Their Families in Georgia

The Workers’ Compensation Law in Georgia allows injured workers to receive compensation for injuries they sustained at work. If a worker dies as a result of a workplace injury, the surviving spouse or dependent family members may then receive benefits in the alternative.

The Georgia Worker’s Compensation Law is a “no fault” program, meaning that an injured worker does not need to establish that another party was responsible for his or her injuries. However, if a party other than the worker’s employer was responsible for the accident, a third-party lawsuit may be appropriate. Third-party lawsuits are more similar to traditional personal injury lawsuits in that they are not limited to medical damages and time spent away from work. Plaintiffs in third-party lawsuits may seek compensation for their pain and suffering as well as for their medical expenses.

Have You Been Injured in a Georgia Workplace Accident?

If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any kind of workplace accident, you may be entitled to consistent payments while you recover through the workers’ compensation program. The skilled workers’ compensation attorneys at J. Franklin Burns, PC have decades of combined experience filing claims for their injured clients. Call 404-920-4708 to set up a free consultation today. Calling is free and will not result in any obligation on your part unless we can help you obtain the benefits you deserve.