Many people in Illinois report to work each day in order to support themselves and their families. Unfortunately, completing their job responsibilities may actually inhibit their ability to earn money if they become a victim of a workplace injury. One out-of-state man recently had to be airlifted for medical care after he became injured while at work.
According to a representative for the fire department, emergency personnel were contacted at approximately 3 a.m. one morning in mid-October with a request for assistance. Apparently, a barrel of concrete weighing about 3 tons become dislodged from a forklift. As a result, it pinned a man against another front-end loader, approximately 10 feet from the ground.
First responders had to use hydraulic tools and airbags to stabilize the concrete while they worked to free the man. It took approximately one hour. Although he was transported to the hospital by helicopter, he is expected to survive.
It is fortunate that the man will survive the accident that could have ended very differently, though a workplace injury can be devastating to an employee and his or her family. In addition to medical expenses, they may also experience lost wages. In some instances, an injured employee may never be able to return to a job in the same capacity. As a result, states such as Illinois require employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance benefits to protect their employees financially in such an a scenario. However, many people have found the insurance companies complicated to work with, prompting them to seek assistance as they navigate the compensation process.
Source: htrnews.com, “Man airlifted following Valders industrial accident”, Oct. 17, 2014
