Construction workers in New Jersey typically face a host of hazards during any workday, and each task has its own risks. Employers must ensure that workers are aware of any potential dangers and how to prevent injuries. Furthermore, their safety training must include the steps to take in the event of an emergency. When a construction worker recently suffered a life-threatening leg injury, it was a responding police officer who carried out first aid that might have saved the worker’s life.
The incident happened on a construction site at which a crew was demolishing a house. Under the circumstances which are yet to be determined, a trackhoe ran over a workers’ leg. Police officers were the first to arrive at the scene after receiving an emergency call. Reportedly, an officer assessed the situation and applied a tourniquet to the man’s injured leg.
A rescue squad, firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene, and the 58-year-old employee was flown to a trauma center for treatment. The police chief said the officer’s first-aid knowledge might have saved the employee’s life. A co-worker could have achieved the same had the construction crew received basic first-aid training. It can be invaluable in circumstances such as these to stabilize an injured worker and stop bleeding while awaiting the arrival of emergency workers.
When a construction worker in New Jersey suffers a leg injury — or any other on-the-job injury — he or she may be entitled to claim benefits from the workers’ compensation insurance system. This process could be challenging if the victim suffered critical injuries and remains hospitalized for an extended period. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can get the ball rolling by filing the benefits claim on behalf of the victim. This may provide the employee with benefits that will cover medical expenses and a portion of his or her lost wages.
Source: nj.com, “Construction worker’s leg runover by equipment“, Sophie Nieto-Munoz, Dec. 15, 2017