Georgia Ditch Cave-In that Killed 1 Worker, Injured Another Underscored the Dangers of Utility Work in Georgia

A tragic accident that left one Georgia utility worker dead and a second utility worker injured left the community of Perry, Georgia, shaken just several weeks ago on August 10. According to local reports, the utility accident occurred on Thursday morning, on Massee Lane and Cater Avenue in Perry. The accident happened when 20-year-old Caleb Smith of Knoxville and a second worker were working at the utility worksite when a ditch at the worksite caved in. Of the accident, Perry Police news stated, “Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that an individual had been trapped in the ditch and efforts were being made to extract him from the fallen debris…While on the scene, there was an active gas leak from a broken gas main that was later capped off by ESG. Perry Fire and Perry Police Department assisted the injured victims on the scene.”

While, tragically, young Caleb Smith was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene of the horrific workplace accident, the second worker who was injured was taken to Atrium Health Navicent hospital for immediate treatment. According to the Perry Police, the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been made aware of the harrowing workplace accident and is currently investigating the incident. There is no doubt that the community of Perry mourns the loss of Caleb Smith and hopes for the other injured worker to pull through.

The Dangers of Utility Work in Georgia Explained

Unfortunately, utility work can be extremely hazardous work for Georgia workers, as the recent case of Caleb Smith and the other injured worker demonstrates. In addition to potential cave-ins, due to the nature of their work, utility workers are at risk for workplace accidents involving electrocution, extreme temperatures, fires and explosions, falling from heights, being trapped in confined spaces, and injuring the body by strain, sprain, and fracture injuries. While there are a number of OSHA regulations that require certain safety procedures and protocols to be followed in utility work, it is a harsh reality that utility work accidents can and do happen. Utility workers must be extremely cautious and diligent in following safety rules on the job.

Help with Your Workplace Injury Case in Decatur, Georgia – Decatur Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

As careful as a worker may be, workplace accidents still happen, and workers may become disabled from work in any industry. While nothing can bring back the loss of a loved one or make up for a horrific workplace injury, fortunately, most Decatur workers who are injured on the job and rendered disabled from work are entitled to important benefits to help them recover from a workplace injury and return to work. In addition, under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, certain family members of Decatur workers who are tragically killed on the job may be entitled to Georgia workers’ compensation death benefits. To find out if you qualify, it is best to speak with an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible.

The experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm are here to help fight for you in your Decatur workers’ compensation case. Contact the O’Connell Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation and learn about your rights and options to workers’ compensation benefits in Decatur.

Source:

41nbc.com/utility-worker-dies-ditch-cave-in-perry/