While many occupations can be dangerous, those based in manufacturing present situations that other jobs do not. This is due to a variety of things including the machinery that is often involved. Recently, a Pittsburgh area worker was hurt in a workplace accident. Following the incident, the 63-year-old man was transported to an area hospital in a helicopter.

The incident involved a machine with drill bits. At the time it occurred, the man was in the process of adjusting the drill bits. Something, possibly his clothing getting caught in the machinery, caused his arm to become stuck in a spindle. This led to his arm being severed at his elbow. The severity of his injuries is not clear and the details of the incident will likely be uncovered in an investigation.

It is clear that the worker’s life will never be the same. Among other things, if he recovers he probably will not be able to do the physical work he has been. While he is in the hospital recovering it is possible that he could seek workers’ compensation benefits. Beyond that, depending on the results of the investigation into the incident, it is possible that the man, or his family, could take legal action against the party responsible for maintaining the machine that injured him. To have a good chance of recovering in such a case, the injury, or in more serious situations the death, needs to be the result of negligence on the part of another.

What exactly will happen in this situation is not clear. In either of these situations, however, it is possible that a lawyer could be helpful.

Source: Observer-Reporter, “Worker’s arm severed at North Strabane manufacturing plant,” March 17, 2014