Company faces fines for workplace injuries after amputation

A Pennsylvania company has been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a worker suffered a serious injury while on the job. The manufacturer faces a fine of $74,000 for serious citations, which were discovered after a serious injury to a worker’s leg. The inspection from OSHA came after the company reported that an employee was hospitalized due to workplace injuries. 

The worker’s leg was crushed in a stationary trash compactor while loading card board into the machine. Ultimately, the worker’s leg had to be amputated. One of the main citations given to the company was related to failure to provide a workplace free of major hazards. It was found that there was no emergency stop button for the machine. 

OSHA found that the worker’s injury and the eventual amputation was unnecessary. This life-changing injury could have been prevented if the employer had provided the necessary safety precautions and if certain hazards had been addressed. This accident will have a permanent impact on the worker and his or her family, likely resulting in ongoing medical care, loss of ability to work and various accident-related expenses. 

Fortunately, this worker and others who have suffered from workplace injuries have the right to seek compensation for financial losses. Workers’ compensation exists to support workers who suffered injuries at work, but the system is complex, and it can be difficult to get the benefits that are needed. With the help of a lawyer, a victim and his or her family has a better chance of a successful claim or appeal. A Pennsylvania victim can seek a full understanding of legal rights with a complete case evaluation.

Source:  businessinsurance.com, “Worker’s leg amputation leads to OSHA fine for metal parts maker“, Gloria Gonzalez, Nov. 18, 2015