Work was suspended on the California High-Speed Rail project on a recent Saturday. This followed one of those workplace accidents that could have been much worse. A report by the California Highway Patrol indicates that two construction workers suffered moderate injuries when a tower collapsed onto a work crew.
CHP says three fire engines and two ambulances rushed to the scene of the viaduct construction site. Reportedly, the accident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. when a rebar tower fell over. That tower struck another tower, causing it to fall onto a crew of about 12 workers. Miraculously, none of the workers had to be extracted from beneath the fallen tower.
Only the two injured workers needed medical treatment. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health launched an inquiry to determine what led to the accident. However, the California High-Speed Rail Authority reported that it planned to initiate an independent investigation. A spokesperson for the company says the safety of employees is the primary concern.
Victims of workplace accidents in California are entitled to seek financial support to help them cope with medical bills and lost wages. Those who are not able to return to work immediately may be concerned about the lack of income. Fortunately, the workers’ compensation insurance system allows injured workers to file benefits claims to cover those financial losses. Wage replacement packages are typically based on a percentage of the injured worker’s average weekly wage. Many injured employees choose to retain the services of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to help them navigate their benefits claims properly and in a timely manner.
Source: fresnobee.com, “2 high-speed rail construction workers injured in accident near Highway 99 and river”, Ashleigh Panoo, Nov. 18, 2017
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