Georgia Workers’ Death after Being Struck by Timber Highlights Dangers Highlights Dangers of Struck-By Accidents in the Workplace
A Georgia man was killed after he was struck by a piece of timber, and workers throughout the State of Georgia, and in Decatur, and their families, are wondering what kinds of rights and options injured workers and their families have under Georgia workers’ compensation laws. The deadly workplace accident occurred last year in early December. Local news reports covering the story indicate that the worker was “looking over a rail” while working at Southern Forest Industries in Monroe County, Georgia. The man was only described as “in his mid-to-late 40s.” Reports also indicate that the timber that struck the worker and killed him was “coming off of a conveyer.” There was no information about why the worker was looking over the rail while on the job. Monroe County Coroner Joey Proctor indicated that the man was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, and “they’re not sure why the man was looking over the rail, but whatever happened, he was.” The worker’s body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur. The terrible and fatal workplace accident that took the man’s life shows just how dangerous struck-by accidents can be in Decatur workplaces.
Struck-By Accidents – What are They and Why are They Dangerous to Decatur Workers?
According to the National Safety Council, “One of the leading causes of work-related deaths is contact with objects.” This includes, “struck against an object; struck by an object; caught in an object or equipment; and caught in collapsing material.” The NSC notes that “Objects that fall, roll, fly, slide, slip and swing can do serious damage to a person. Construction workers hit by building materials, vehicles slipping off of jacks, loggers struck by trees – all have a high fatality rate, but all are preventable.” Approximately 700 deaths occur in the workplace due to these types of serious and dangerous accidents every year, and “hundreds of thousands of injuries annually that involve days away from work.” The NSC also advises that dangerous struck-by accidents and other accidents involving contact with objects are preventable, and employers and employees can work to make workplaces safer.
Injured Decatur Workers Have Rights: Find Out About Georgia Workers’ Compensation Laws
Even the most prudent and careful worker may have the misfortune of suffering a serious workplace accident due to contact with an object. In these cases, it is important for Decatur workers to know that they have rights and options for compensation. Under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, most workers who have been seriously injured on the job are entitled to important workers’ compensation benefits to help them treat their workplace injury and get back to their jobs. In addition, Decatur families that have lost their loved ones to a serious and fatal workplace accident may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured on the job in Decatur, it is important to find out about your rights to Georgia workers’ compensation benefits. The experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm are here to help you. Contact the O’Connell Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
13wmaz.com/article/news/local/forsyth-monroe/man-killed-monroe-county-sawmill-workplace-accident-sheriffs-office-says/93-27ed1d9c-d06a-4ea5-baed-0616138e7956
