Most people in Illinois are aware of the dangers that tractor-trailer drivers face every day. In addition to facing long hours on the road, they must also worry about other drivers who are fatigued or careless. While hearing of a truck driver who is injured in a motor vehicle accident is not uncommon, most people are not as aware of the other potential workplace dangers a driver may face. For example, one out-of-state man was recently injured in a workplace accident while loading his truck.
The local fire department says it received a call near the end of a work day in early December. The worker had reportedly been securing PVC pipes onto his truck. Apparently, the pipes shifted causing three to fall on him. Combined, the pipes weighed over a ton.
The man was initially taken to a local hospital, but was later transferred to a university medical center. His condition and prognosis is unclear. In most cases, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will conduct an investigation following a serious or fatal accident in the workplace. If the investigation reveals that health or safety standards were violated leading up to the accident, the company could face a citation.
Regardless of the outcome of an OSHA investigation, the man injured in this workplace accident is likely focusing on his recovery from what could be serious injuries. His treatment may result in significant hospital bills and he may be unable to return to work for some time. Employees in Illinois who are injured in such an accident are likely eligible for benefits from the workers’ compensation coverage employers are required to provide. Because obtaining compensation is sometimes complicated and can easily become overwhelming for someone who is also trying to recover from injuries, many people in Illinois choose to seek additional guidance as they pursue the compensation to which they are likely entitled.
Source: beloitdailynews.com, “Semi-truck driver injured while loading pipes in Janesville”, Dec. 2, 2014
