Earlier this year in October, a pipeline explosion in Shelby County, Alabama claimed one man’s life and injured several others. In a recent news update, one of the men injured in the explosion has died from his injuries, increasing the death toll to two.
Evidently, the explosion occurred when an excavator for a Georgia-based construction company struck an underground transmission pipeline when using a backhoe. The pipeline, which was carrying gasoline, burst and began to leak. The gas ignited, causing a small fire. At the time, one man was pronounced dead and five others taken to area hospitals. One of the five injured men was hospitalized until recently, when he passed away from the injuries he sustained in the explosion.
A local ABC affiliate reported that the construction company has been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) eight times between the years of 2009 and 2013. These violations all occurred on job sites in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. In fact, five of those violations were considered “serious” by OSHA, and three directly involved the company’s excavation work.
The October explosion is still under investigation by OSHA and other federal agencies. Several U.S. lawmakers have also asked for an investigation into the company and its policies.
Fatal Workplace Accidents in Georgia
Workplace accidents happen, especially in dangerous professions such as construction, agriculture, and factory work. To help injured workers recover from their injuries and continue to support themselves and their families, Georgia lawmakers have passed the Workers’ Compensation Act, which allows for injured workers to obtain compensation while they recover. Workers’ compensation benefits may be long- or short-term, depending on the nature of the injuries sustained and the expected recovery time. In addition, the families of workers who have been killed on the job due to a workplace accident may also be eligible for long-term workers’ compensation benefits to help offset the loss of income caused by their loss.
Generally speaking, workers’ compensation claims do not require that the injured party establish that their injury was the fault of the employer. However, too often, the insurance companies that underwrite workers’ compensation policies view claims with an eye toward denying them. It is therefore suggested that anyone who has sustained a workplace injury contact a dedicated Georgia workers’ compensation attorney to discuss their case.
Have You Been Injured in a Georgia Workplace Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured while on the job, you may be entitled to monetary compensation while you recover. If you are not able to return to your line of work due to the nature of your injuries, you may be entitled to long-term benefit subsidies to help compensate you for taking a lower-paying position. The skilled workers’ compensation attorneys at the Georgia law firm of J. Franklin Burns & Associates have decades of experience helping injured workers and their families file workers’ compensation claims. Call 404-920-4708 to set up a free consultation with an attorney today.
