A landscaper suffered severe injuries after being shocked by a power line in Tustin. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, neighbors in La Limonar Road and Arroyo Avenue in unincorporated Tustin called 911 after they heard the landscapers up in a tree calling out for help. When firefighters arrived, they found the victim in the tree being supported by two co-workers.
An aerial ladder, attached to the top of a fire truck, was used to rescue the men. The worker was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, while the other two men were unharmed. The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Our thoughts and prayers are with this injured worker. We wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Tree Trimming Injuries and Fatalities
According to Cal/OSHA, tree workers are 56 times more likely to suffer a fatal occupational injury than workers in all industries combined. The major causes of tree worker injuries and fatalities include falls, electric shock, being struck by a tree branch, chainsaw lacerations, palm tree skirt collapses and ladder accidents.
The site TreeTriage.com analyzed 20 years of data from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) related to tree care and found that California had the highest number of tree-trimming injuries nationwide. Tree trimming injuries are more than 20 times more likely to occur in California than in any other state.
Compensation for Injured Workers
Tree trimmers injured on the job can seek workers’ compensation benefits from their employers, which typically cover medical expenses and a portion of the lost wages. Families of deceased victims may be eligible to receive death benefits if the worker was killed on the job.
However, these benefits are highly inadequate in California for compensating severely injured workers or families that have lost loved ones in work-related accidents.
In addition to workers’ compensation, injured victims and their families may be able to file a third-party claim against a party other than an employer.
This might include a negligent property owner who failed to keep the premises safe or the manufacturer of a defective product that caused or contributed to the worker’s injuries. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to guide workers and families through their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/07/23/landscaper-critically-injured-after-being-electrocuted-by-power-line-in-tustin/
