Many Oklahoma workers rely on their employers to provide safe work environments that will allow them to return home safely after every shift. However, not all company owners comply with the strict safety regulations that are prescribed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is not uncommon for investigators to find that a workplace injury could have been avoided had safety protocols been in place.
Emergency workers in another state were recently called to an industrial site at which a worker suffered a serious injury. An accident report indicated that a male worker’s hand came into contact with the working parts of a machine. His hand got pulled in, causing a partial amputation.
The injured worker was rushed to a hospital for treatment. It was not reported whether the worker was exposed to working machine parts or whether proper lockout/tagout procedures were in place. The accident will likely be investigated by OSHA to determine whether the injury resulted from safety violations.
Understandably, a workplace injury that causes an amputation can have life-changing consequences. Losing a part of one hand can jeopardize a worker’s ability to earn an income. Financial relief is available through the Oklahoma workers’ compensation insurance program in the form of benefits for which injured workers may apply. The benefits typically cover medical expenses and lost income, and in cases in which permanent disabilities are caused, additional compensation and vocational training to equip the injured worker with new skills may be considered. Many workers facing these issues consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to represent their interests in pursuing the maximum benefits obtainable.
Source: Cartersville, Ga. Patch, “Man Suffers Partial Amputation in Workplace Accident“, Kristal Dixon, Dec. 14, 2015