A Rensselaer man and long-time worker with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) lost his life in a construction accident recently when a truck driven by another employee backed over him, according to a recent article in the NWI Times. At the time of his death, the man was 54 years old and had worked for INDOT since 1977.
The man was part of a team working on a project in DeMotte, Indiana when the accident occurred. He was working on construction at the corner of 1400 North and U.S. 231. Around 10 a.m. that morning, a truck that was also being used at the scene backed into the man, knocking him to the ground. Rescue workers rushed the man to Franciscan St. Anthony Health Crown Point, a nearby hospital, but they were unable to save his life. He died approximately one hour after the accident occurred.
Investigators from the Indiana State Police, INDOT, and the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Department (IOSHA) are all looking into what caused the accident.
Most people think of car accidents as a risk of getting to and from work, not a risk while one is working. Yet, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), car accidents and pedestrian accidents are one of the biggest causes of workplace injuries and deaths in the United States. Workers who drive as part of their job or who work near roads, driveways, or parking lots may suffer a car-related accident as part of their work. These accidents may be covered by workers’ compensation, a driver’s insurance, or other funds. An experienced Indiana construction accident lawyer can help you figure out who is responsible for an accident and what compensation you deserve.
An Indiana workplace accident has left one contractor dead and another seriously injured, according to a recent article in The Star Press.
Both workers were contractors from Ohio who were doing repair work at the Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp. when the construction accident occurred. The two men were on a scissor lift when it suddenly tipped or collapsed, throwing the workers to the floor and severely injuring them both. One of the men was pronounced dead upon his arrival at Henry County Hospital after suffering a severe head injury. The other man had severe damage to his chest as well as his head. Rescue crews pulled him out from underneath the scissor lift, which had pinned him to the floor. He was flown to Methodist Hospital Indianapolis for treatment of his Indiana workplace accident injuries.
Investigators are still uncertain whether the scissor lift tipped or collapsed, as well as what caused it to do so. The scene is currently being inspected by a team from the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) as well as the federal U.S. OSHA.
Every day in Indiana, workers on construction sites face the risk that they will be seriously injured at work. While employers and workers can minimize the risks by following safety rules, not every workplace accident can be prevented. Workers who have been injured while at work should seriously consider talking to an experienced Indiana construction accident attorney, who can help them understand their legal rights and options after an injury.
The construction profession is one of the most dangerous vocations that a person can work in. With various hazards present on a daily basis, from heavy machinery, electrical wiring, and the necessity to work high off the ground on roofs and scaffolding, in addition to other dangers, construction workers face a higher risk of being involved in an Indiana construction accident and sustaining serious injury than those in other industries.
Falls are the most common cause of fatal injury that construction workers suffer. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), in 2007, over 37 percent of fatal falls were from high elevations. Additionally, 30 percent of all construction accidents involve a fall, whether it is from holes in walls or floors, down elevator shafts, or off of roofs. Another cause of construction injuries in Indiana and across the United States involves environmental hazards. Exposure to toxins such as asbestos, as well as chemicals from paint, emulsifiers, and dust can cause lung conditions to develop such as mesothelioma, as well as eye damage and even neurological disorders. The third common cause of Indiana construction accidents is heavy objects. Cranes, wrecking balls, steel girders and other pieces of heavy equipment can collapse, causing a worker to be pinned or even crushed under the massive weight.
OSHA concludes that nearly 1,000 people die each year in construction accidents in the U.S. Additionally, over 150,000 construction site injuries occur annually, which affects about 10 percent of the industry’s employees.
If you have been involved in a construction accident in Indiana, contact experienced Indiana construction accident injury attorney Randy Sevenish at the Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. Mr. Sevenish has successfully handled an abundance of construction accident cases in Indiana and can help you understand your legal rights and options. Mr. Sevenish will examine every detail of your case and ensure that all negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. To schedule a free consultation, call the Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. at 1-800-347-4611.
