Tacoma Personal Injury Lawyer - Workplace Injuries

Falling Wall Injures Construction Workers in Bremerton

Ryan Nute — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 09:58:01 GMT

An 8-foot wall at a residential construction site fell last Monday, injuring two workers. The second-story wall apparently fell when the supporting jacks slipped.

The accident occurred in the 10200 block of Central Valley Road NW at about 10 a.m. Two workers crawled out from under the wall and a third was pulled out by fire crews. The injured workers were transported to Harrison Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The injured workers have claims under the workers' compensation system. Many people don't know that workers' compensation--which, for the most part, only applies to claims relating to the injured worker's employer-- is not necessarily the only source of recovery in construction accident cases. For example, a worker employed by a subcontractor may have claims against a general contractor if the general fails to ensure a safe worksite.

US Airways Sued By Union Over Wages

Shannon Weidemann — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:44:44 GMT

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has filed a lawsuit against the US Airways Group Inc. over wages. According to the union some of their workers are not getting the higher wages that they should have received when US Airways and America West merged. They said they had an agreement with the airline in the case that it was bought.

The company, which was in bankruptcy prior to the merger, says the transaction did not constitute a change in control, according to court documents.
US Airways last week filed a complaint in bankruptcy court asking a judge to block the arbitration scheduled to begin on Monday, the union said.
"US Airways is attempting to use the bankruptcy court to shield itself from its contractual obligations," said union Vice President Robert Roach Jr.

The dispute has been ongoing since October 2005. The airline states that raising wages would add a huge expense to their operating costs.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Tacoma Power Utility Worker Fatally Injured by Downed Pole

Ryan Nute — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:02:59 GMT

Barry Kensrud was severely injured in an accident that happened while he was attempting to cut through a downed power pole in order to get to a tree felled in the recent storms. Sadly, he died of his injuries Tuesday.

It is not entirely clear how the accident happened. The Department of Labor & Industries is investigating. Apparently Mr. Kensrud was cutting through the pole to access the tree when communication cables under the pole slackened and caused the pole to strike him.

Donations to assist the Kensrud family can be made at Columbia Bank under the name "IBEW Barry Kensrud Donation Account c/o Alice Phillips."

Injured workers' legal remedies are not necessarily limited to workers' compensation benefits for injury or death. Sometimes workers have "third-party" claims against persons or companies who do not employ the worker but whose negligent acts contributed to the accident. It is not clear whether such claims exist in this particular case, but it is something to be kept in mind when evaluating claims arising from construction accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ryan Nute

Fatality in Boston's Big Dig

Michael Myers — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:47:17 GMT

On Monday, a thirty - eight year old woman was killed in one of Boston's "big dig" tunnels. According to the Washington Post, at least 12 tons of concrete fell on the woman's car. Her husband was driving and survived with minor injuries. The woman was seated on the passenger side and was crushed when the concrete collapsed. The couple had been on the way to the airport to pick up family members.

According to the Washington Post,

BOSTON -- The head of the agency overseeing Boston's Big Dig highway project ordered a review of the entire highway system Wednesday after inspectors looking into the fatal collapse of concrete ceiling slabs found 60 more questionable areas in the tunnel's ceiling.
Initial inspections revealed dozens of signs of bolts loosening and other potential failures in the same connector tunnel, part of the main route to Boston's Logan Airport, Turnpike Authority officials and the Big Dig project manager said.

Who is responsible when an accident like this happens? The attorney general in Boston stated that he will be treating the accident as potentially criminal, and looking into charges of criminal negligence.

In addition, there is speculation that the contractor did not provide the city with the services that were contracted for. The woman's family also has a civil claim against the parties who are responsible for the failure. The woman's family should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney will help them to determine which government entities as well as private contractors may be at fault for this horrific accident. The woman's family can recover funds for the loss of their loved one. The woman's children should be able to recover for the loss of their mother.

If you have been injured in a public area or by a construction company, you may have a civil claim against the entity. Contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation to see what your rights are.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Working Together for Workplace Safety

Michael Myers — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 09:59:17 GMT

According to the Tacoma Daily Index, an organized group of small business owners will be working with government regulators to create a safer workplace. The business owners will have a chance to correct any violations within thirty days with no penalties.

Participating businesses will work with NFIB/Washington state to create a written safety plan, then they will have to conduct a self-audit that identifies specific steps required to bring their companies in compliance with WISHA. After completing their audit, businesses will have to complete their training and worksite changes identified in the audit. At the end of that process, they will receive their 'Certificate of Completion,' and for a 12-month period if WISHA conducts an inspection and violations are still found, businesses will have their penalties reduced if they make a correction or an abatement of the violation within 30 days.

Given the number of construction accidents reported lately, this type of arrangement seems like a step in the right direction. Small business owners are taking positive steps towards increasing workplace safety.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Construction Scaffolding Fails, Kills Three

Michael Myers — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 09:46:09 GMT

According to the Tacoma News Tribune,

A 10-ton construction platform collapsed and crashed 13 stories onto a busy downtown street Monday, killing three people and crushing cars stopped in midday traffic.
Witnesses described hearing a rumble, then the crash of scaffolding that kicked up metal, dust and boards on Boylston Street, which runs along the south side of Boston Common.

Construction accidents are more common than the average person realizes. Usually, the victims are the people doing the construction work. Sometimes, the victims are simply people going about their business that day. These accidents are frightening and costly.

If you have been injured in a construction accident, as a worker or a bystander, you have legal rights. You should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to preserve them.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Crane topples on Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Michael Myers — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 12:43:56 GMT

According to The News Tribune of Tacoma, Washington, a large crane toppled over on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge this morning. See the details surrounding this construction accident.

Unfortunately, construction accidents are a way of life for the American worker. Luckily, no one was injured in the Tacoma crane incident. Cranes, lifts, ladders, and scaffolding all present hazards to construction workers daily. It is important that training is provided and that safety warnings are prominent. These machines and materials should be carefully maintained for the safest work environment possible.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a construction accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. You may have legal rights to assert.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Construction Accidents Up In Arizona

Michael Myers — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 12:34:50 GMT

Andrew Defusco in Phoenix has a great post about the state of Arizona surpassing their previous record for construction site deaths in 2005. Andrew offers an astute observation about the state's rise in construction accidents:

We are still in a boom market for the construction industry, with everything from residential, commercial and industrial construction projects on the rise. With increased demand, there is additional pressure on construction companies to either increase employee workload, hire and quickly train inexperienced workers, or a combination of the two. Combining productivity pressure with insufficient or inadequate safety programs creates an unsafe environment and a recipe for disaster.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers