When industrial workers are performing their duties at dangerous heights, usually occurring on the top of buildings or equipment, it’s common and advisable for them to attach themselves to a safety line so that if they should fall, they will not free-fall to the ground. While it’s clear that these safety lines have saved many lives, they can also cause injuries if they are not properly handled during the job. Unfortunately, a man in Florida severely injured his back because of his safety line, but the crane on which he was working was used to lower him to safety and to allow him to begin his recovery process.
According to News 4 in Jacksonville:
“A Jacksonville Port Authority employee injured while working on an 110-foot tall crane Monday night is recovering after he was lowered to the ground by Jacksonville Fire-Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue unit using a rescue basket and ropes.
Port officials said the man suffered a severe back injury in an industrial accident during routine maintenance on the crane used to move containerized freight on and off ships at the Talleyrand marine terminal.Channel 4 learned that something bumped his safety line while a crew of six were working on the crane. While he was injured, the safety line prevented him from falling to the ground.It took nearly 90 minutes for rescuers to get him safely to the ground.”
While no one is yet sure how the safety line was bumped, what is clear is that the man is lucky to have survived. He will likely also need to pursue worker’s compensation benefits at the least, and depending on the facts, he could have a valid civil legal claim. If you have been injured while on the job, contact the work injury lawyers at the Phillips National Injury Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Thu, Aug 20, 2009
Work Injury