A printing press worker was hospitalized with serious personal injuries after his arm got stuck in a machine while on-the-job. Firefighters who responded to the call had to use hydraulic equipment to free the worker's arm from the machine, which apparently took 53 minutes, according to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News. The worker's identity and age were not released, but he was said to have been working at Apperson Print Resources in Cerritos, California, the night of October 21, 2009 when this accident occurred.
I can only imagine the agony this worker must have gone through with his arm stuck in a machine and crushed for more than 50 minutes. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this man in your prayers.
Workplace Accident Causes
The details of this job injury are not very clear. Based on this news report, we don't know how or why this man's arm became stuck in the machine. There are many questions here. What was the worker doing in the press? Was he working with a machine or fixing a malfunctioning machine? Were there any product defects or malfunctions that caused this serious accident? Was this mishap the result of someone else's negligence? Was the worker trained enough to work on this machinery? The answers to these questions will help determine the cause of the accident and who, if anyone, should be held responsible for the worker's serious personal injuries.
Claims to Compensation
There is no question that this man will be out of work for a while. Based on the report, I wonder if his arm will ever be the same again. Will he be able to return to work? Will he regain the use of his arm? We don't know. This injured worker will very likely receive California worker's compensation benefits, but such benefits are woefully inadequate, especially in cases were workers suffer serious injuries or death or are out of work for a lengthy period of time.
The worker would be well-advised to consult an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney to find out whether he has a third-party claim here. It is basically a claim that is filed against a party other than his employer. For example, if this accident was a result of a defective product, the worker can file a third party claim against the manufacturer of the defective product. A skilled injury attorney will be able to advise the worker about his legal rights and options and help him secure fair compensation for his injuries and loss. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.
We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
