Worker Pinned By Steel Coil At Springfield Plant
Recently, an employee at a steel production company, Martinrea Fabco, was injured in an industrial accident in Springfield, Tennessee. Springfield Fire Chief Jimmy Hamill stated that an unnamed employee had been pinned down between a pallet and steel material with a large steel coil on top. Reports from the scene indicated that the steel coil weighed over two tons.
It is not clear how the employee became trapped, but emergency workers were able to free him after 45 minutes. The employee was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by Life Flight helicopter. He is reported to be in stable condition. Officials with Martinrea Fabco are now investigating the accident.
Tennessee Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Accidents
Under current workers’ compensation law, it does not matter whether a workplace accident that occurred was the fault of the employees, another employee’s, or the employer’s. Workers’ compensation is simply a form of insurance offered by one’s employer that provides wage replacement and medical benefits if you are injured at work, while carrying out the duties of your job.
The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Act requires that employers in the state of Tennessee to pay for the medical treatment needed and for wage replacement while the employee is out of work, recuperating. Employees injured on the job may be eligible for disability benefits, medical benefits and permanent disability benefits. The law also covers the death of an employee for families who have lost their primary provider.
While workers’ compensation is typically provided in exchange for an employee’s promise not to sue, there are exceptions to the rule. Injuries caused by defective products, toxic substances, or egregious conduct by the employer give rise to personal injury claims beyond what workers’ compensation can provide. It is important to note that workers’ compensation also does not compensate for things like pain and suffering, nor punitive damages if the injury was caused by an employer’s negligence. Additionally, compensation benefits typically last only a year, and the effects of injuries may stay far beyond that.
Responsibilities of an Employee
Both employees and employers must fulfill certain obligations under the state workers’ compensation statute. Employees have the responsibility to formally report their injury, preferably in writing, within 30 days of the injury. The employee must also choose from a list of physicians provided by his or her employer, and follow the protocols recommended by medical providers.
Maximize Compensation After an Injury: Contact Our Nashville Personal Injury Lawyers
At the law firm of Calhoun Law, PLC in Nashville, we understand how frustrating workplace accidents and workplace injuries can be. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be entitled to present and future medical expenses, lost wages, disability compensation, and compensation for reduced earning ability. Contact us today so that we can ensure that you are properly compensated for you injuries. Consultations are free and confidential.
