Georgia Maintenance Worker Killed at Kumho Tire Plant by “Wig-Wag” Equipment
The terrible and horrific news of the death of a worker at the Kumho Tire plant in South Bibb County, Georgia leaves Decatur workers wondering what rights and options they have under Georgia laws if they are injured or killed on the job. According to local news reports, 13WMAZ, a Kumho Tire worker identified as 57-year-old Steven Brookins was killed on Wednesday morning, April 13 at the South Bibb manufacturing plant. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigators believe that Brookins was doing maintenance work on a type of equipment called a “wig-wag” when the accident occurred. The “wig-wag” must be “locked and tagged out”, a safety measure that prevents “unexpected energization, start-up or release of stored energy in order to prevent injury to employees” in order for any repairs to be performed. As a result of not being locked and tagged out, investigators believe that Brookins was effectively sucked into the machine and died as a result of the injuries that he sustained.
Prior Workplace Accidents at Kumho Tire Plant Remembered
Prior serious and fatal workplace accidents at the South Bibb Kumho Tire plant are being recalled by safety advocates and the media in the wake of Steven Brookins untimely and unexpected death. According to 13WMAZ news, the South Bibb Kumho Tire plant has paid out more than half a million dollars in safety-related fines since opening in 2016. One worker fell to their death at the Kumho Tire plant as it was being constructed. The plant has received nearly four dozen safety violations since it opened. In 2023, safety inspectors cited Kumho Tire for not performing required safety inspections and for exposing Kumho Tire workers to “the risk of being struck by a crane”.
Rights and Options of Workers Injured on the Job in Decatur
In Decatur, most workers who are seriously injured on the job (without regard to fault of the worker or the employer), and who are unable to return to regular work while they heal from their workplace injury, are entitled to Georgia workers’ compensation benefits to help them get back on their feet. Under Georgia Workers’ Compensation laws, injured workers may be entitled to wage replacement compensation, medical expense reimbursement, vocational rehabilitation training and more. Importantly, certain deadlines may apply in your particular Decatur workers’ compensation case, so it is important to speak with an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible about your rights and options after a serious workplace accident occurs.
Legal Help for Injured Workers in Decatur
If you were injured on the job in Decatur, contact the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm. The experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your workplace accident case and to see if they can help you get worker’s compensation benefits due to you. Contact the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm today and speak to an experienced lawyer about your rights and options for free.
Source:
13wmaz.com/article/news/local/victim-industrial-accident-kumho-tire-identified/93-1b1e27be-f9b4-46ea-9ebf-3bbad8077dc4
