Some jobs are inherently more risky than others, but that does not mean that they have to be dangerous. In every field, safety procedures can be adopted to help prevent workplace injuries. By adopting these regulations, New York employers are not only ensuring that their employees are going to be safer, but they are also keeping their costs down and, in many cases, complying with legal requirements. When safety regulations are not adopted or are not respected, workplace accidents can occur that have devastating effects for workers and their families.
In a recent workplace accident, a 24-year-old woman was killed on the job. The woman was working as an intern at a private exotic animal park that houses 28 big cats. These animals include lions, tigers and other more exotic species. The woman had been working for the group since the beginning of the year. While the exact details of the accident are still under investigation, the woman was found inside a male lion’s enclosure. This particular animal had been living at the park since it was a cub.
When police arrived on scene, the woman was still alive inside the lion’s enclosure. Other workers at the facility unsuccessfully tried to lure the lion away from the woman and into a pen. However, police were forced to shoot the animal. Unfortunately, the woman died on the scene.
The park is regulated by both state and federal agencies. However, experts have said that this employee should never have been allowed inside the lion’s enclosure. At this time, it is not known whether entering the cage was a regular part of her employment.
When workers are killed on the job, their families may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation can help replace lost wages that the worker would have been making had they not been killed. Furthermore, workers’ compensation can help pay for other expenses arising out of a workplace accident including medical expenses, funeral costs and pain and suffering.
Source: York Dispatch, “Lion kills intern at Calif. exotic animal park” Gosia Wozniacka and Tracie Cone, March 7, 2013