An injury suffered at work can have devastating effects for a person. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, the injury can pose a threat to a person’s quality of life. In some situations, workplace injuries in New York can leave a person permanently disabled and unable to return to work. When employees become permanently disabled, those employees still need to be able to provide for their livelihood. Workers’ compensation is available to help those injured workers who are unable to work by paying for medical expenses and lost wages.
One Bloomfield, New York worker was injured in a workplace accident last March. The worker’s employer, Crossman Corp. is a gun manufacturer, producing archery products, rifles, scopes and air guns. According to reports, the worker was setting up a machine while at work when it suddenly turned on. The machines then reportedly amputated one of the worker’s fingers.
Following this injury, Crossman Corp. was investigated by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA officials claim that had the machine’s power source been locked out at the time of the accident, this workplace injury could have been avoided. A subsequent OSHA investigation found 23 serious safety violations at Crossman Corp, leading to fines totaling up to $148,000.
In this situation, the worker may be eligible for workers’ compensation for his injury. With the recent passing of new permanency guidelines, however, many are finding that acquiring benefits for permanent injury can be more complicated than ever. It is recommended that those attempting to claim such benefits speak to an attorney for more information about the new guidelines.
Source: Syracuse.com, “Ontario County firearms manufacturer cited after worker’s finger amputated by machine,” Douglass Dowty, Oct. 15, 2012