Teen Worker Participating in Work Learning Program Loses Both Legs after Horrific Workplace Accident with Trencher

Workplace accidents that lead to amputation injuries are undoubtedly some of the most serious, disabling, and horrific workplace accidents that a worker can endure. Indeed, losing an arm or a leg, or both, is extremely disabling to a person and limits not only their ability to work and earn a living, but also to do activities of daily living like they did before. However, the truth of the matter is that terrible workplace accidents happen throughout the United States every year that require the amputation of workers’ limbs. Such an unfortunate accident happened just this year in Washington State, involving a teenage worker. To demonstrate just how quickly a regular workday can turn into an amputation accident, we discuss that news story here, as well as what Louisiana workers can do if they are injured on the job and need legal assistance obtaining Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits.

Teen Worker Severely Injured by Trencher, Both Legs Amputated as a Result of Workplace Accident

According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, on January 23, 2024, a 16-year-old boy who was working for a Vancouver, Washington, construction company through a work-based learning program was injured in a serious workplace accident involving a trencher. The teen was using the trencher to dig a channel at a worksite in La Center, Washington, for making fence posts. However, he became stuck and was dragged underneath the trencher blade, causing him to sustain severe injuries to his legs that required amputation of both legs. Rotschy, LLC, the company that employed the young teen worker had obtained an exemption to have the teen worker on site, but using the trencher was not part of the exemption. Accordingly, the company now faces finds related to health and safety violations. Craig Blackwood, the assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health said of the terrible accident, “This tragedy should have never happened, and this young man’s life will never be the same…Employers with young workers should look after our children as they would their own. When they fail to keep a young worker safe, it’s a violation of the community’s trust.”

Legal Help for Louisiana Workers Seriously Injured in Workplace Accidents

In Louisiana, when a worker is injured in a workplace accident, and is disabled from working as a result, they may be entitled to important money compensation in order to help them heal from their injury and get back on their feet. These benefits are called Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits, and they are available to most workers who have suffered serious workplace injuries in Louisiana. In order to determine whether you may be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits in Louisiana for your workplace injury, it is best to speak with an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible about your case.

The experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC help Louisiana workers get workers’ compensation benefits due to them. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak to a lawyer about your case.

Source:

lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/24-01