Several workers suffered injuries on the job the afternoon of August 9, 2011 in a Sylmar building after a powerful explosion tore open the roof. News reports identify the two critically injured victims of this explosion as off-duty Los Angeles firefighter Timothy Larson and Tyson Larson. It is not clear if they were related. Officials say the explosion occurred in a 7,400-square-foot facility at 12349 Gladstone Avenue.

Powerful Explosion

Fire officials say the building housed an alternative fuel business that involved the extraction of hydrogen from water. The process apparently involves two pressure vehicles with 20-inch diameters that are 8 feet tall. Investigators are still looking into whether these large vessels were related to the explosion. The explosion was so powerful that it blew a hole through the roof. The two critically injured victims were thrown from the building into an alley. Several others suffered relatively minor injuries. Timothy Larson sustained major injuries to his arms and legs and was undergoing surgery. Tyson Larson's condition is unknown at this time.

My heart goes out to everyone who was injured in this industrial accident, particularly Timothy and Tyson Larson, who were critically injured. I pray for their speedy and complete recovery.

Statistics for Industrial Explosions

According to the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health's (CAL/OSHA) industrial accident statistics for 2005, 14 workers died that year in fires and explosions at their workplace or manufacturing facilities. Totally, 253 deaths relating to industrial accidents were reported in California in the year 2005.

What Caused This Industrial Accident?

There are still several unanswered questions here. Were there workers in this alternative fuel facility trained adequately to perform their jobs? Were they following all the required safety procedures? Did they have knowledge of those safety procedures? Was a dangerous or defective product involved? I trust an investigation by local authorities as well as the CAL/OSHA will provide some answers, although it could take months before we find out precisely what occurred, and why.

Compensation Issues

Injured workers in such cases will be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits to cover some of the medical expenses and lost wages. However, it is important to remember that California workers' compensation benefits are extremely inadequate especially considering the tremendous loss these workers and their families have suffered and may continue to suffer.

Injured victims would be well-advised to contact a reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who has experience in filing "third-party claims." These are claims that are usually filed against someone other than an employer whose negligence may have caused the accident and injuries. Examples of such third parties could include contractors, sub-contractors or the manufacturer of a defective product. A third party claim would be much more valuable to these injured workers than what they will receive from workers compensation. Above all, these injured workers need a skilled and dedicated injury lawyer on their side who will fight hard for their rights and protect their best interests.

Los Angeles Explosion Severely Injures Two Workers is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A worker suffered job injuries in an explosion at Cargill Milling in San Bernardino. According to a news report in The San Bernardino County Sun, the workplace accident occurred on West Cajon Boulevard in San Bernardino the morning of April 19, 2011. It is unclear at this time what may have caused the explosion. The resulting fire was out before firefighters arrived at the scene of the incident. The report does not state the extent of the worker's injuries following the explosion, but the person has been transported to a local hospital. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victim injured in this workplace accident. I wish the worker a complete and speedy recovery.

What Caused This Workplace Injury?

It is unclear from the report what may have caused this workplace explosion. I trust Cal-OSHA investigators are out at the mill looking into whether the required safety standards were being adhered to, or if there were any violations. There are also other questions here. Did the worker receive adequate job training and safety training? Was the worker given protective gear? Did the employer maintain a safe workplace? Was the accident caused by a defective product or malfunctioning equipment?

Compensation Issues

In this particular case, the worker and his family will be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits from the employer. However, California workers compensation benefits are typically insufficient if required to cover a major work-related injury where the worker has been permanently disabled or where the worker has died as a result of his injuries.

In such cases injured victims and their families would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer who will look into the existence of a third-party claim. A third party claim is one that is filed by the injured worker or a deceased worker's family against a party other than the employer. Examples of third parties include a general contractor, sub-contractor, or the manufacturer of a defective product. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive claim evaluation to injured workers and their families.

Seriously injured in a San Bernardino County on-the-job accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a San Bernardino industrial accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE San Bernardino personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

Worker Injured in San Bernardino Mill Explosion is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A worker sustained fatal job injuries while washing windows at a three-story medical building in Huntington Beach using a power washer. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the electrocution occurred when his equipment came in contact with a power line. Officials say the fatal work injury accident occurred at Beach Boulevard and Newman Street in Huntington Beach the morning of March 29, 2011. The man was walking around a tree with an aluminum extension rod to clean the windows of the third story when the rod touched a 12,000-volt power line. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the man tragically killed in this on-the-job accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Job-Related Electrocution

According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, between the years of 1993 and 2003, 1,715 people were killed in workplace electrical accidents. Electrical workers accounted for 34 percent of all workplace electrocution fatalities. While 58 percent of fatal electrocution accidents involve electrical wiring and equipment, 34 percent involved contact with an overhead power line.

What Caused This Fatal Accident?

According to the report, the worker killed in this accident made contact with an overhead power line. It is unclear if the worker was aware of how close his aluminum rod was to the power line or if he knew of the dangers he faced. It is the obligation of an employer to provide adequate training and supervision to employees. It is also the obligation of property owners to provide safe workplace conditions. It is important in these types of cases to determine how the accident could have been prevented and if someone else's negligence led to the fatal injury.

Liability Issues

In such cases families of deceased victims would be eligible to receive workers compensation benefits. However, California workers compensation benefits are extremely inadequate when it comes to compensating a family for the loss of its primary wage earner. It would be in the family's best interests to look into whether there is a third-party claim here.

These are claims that involve negligence or wrongdoing on the part of a "third party" such as a contactor, sub-contractor or the manufacturer of a defective product. Third-party claims are worth a lot more to severely injured workers or families of deceased workers. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.

Lost a family member in an Orange County accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Huntington Beach on-the-job accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Orange County wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

Man Fatally Electrocuted while On-the-job in Huntington Beach is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Dirk Vamoorot, 65, suffered fatal job injuries in San Bernardino after he was crushed by a falling K-rail the morning of November 1, 2010. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, Vamoorot was the member of a crew doing street repairs in the 400 block of East Washington Street in Colton, when a concrete barrier toppled and pinned him underneath. Vamoorot was taken to a local hospital where he died shortly after the accident. The San Bernardino District Attorney's office and Cal-OSHA are investigating this fatal on-the-job accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to everybody who knew and loved Dirk Vamoorot for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Construction Accident Statistics

According to the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health's (DOSH) 2008 fatality statistics, there were 67 deaths relating to construction site accidents in California. Of those 15 fatalities occurred as a result of workers coming in contact with objects and equipment. Falling objects at a construction site are an extreme hazard and often result in serious injuries or death.

What Caused This Tragic Accident?

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear how or why the K-rail fell and crushed the worker. There are several questions here. Was someone else's negligence responsible for this accident? Did the supervisors involved make sure that the area was safe before allowing crew members to come in? Was this accident caused by any equipment defects or malfunctions? Both, the district attorney and DOSH officials should no doubt be looking into these and other factors in order to determine who was responsible for this tragic workplace accident.

Compensation Issues

In such cases, families of deceased workers will be eligible to receive California workers compensation benefits. However, these benefits are woefully inadequate and cannot compensate a family for the loss of a primary wage-earner. It would be in the family's best interests to look into whether there is a third-party claim here. Such claims involve negligence or wrongdoing on the part of a "third party" such as a contactor, sub-contractor or the manufacturer of a defective product. Third-party claims are worth a lot more to severely injured workers or families of deceased workers.

Families in these types of accidents would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

Lost a family member in a San Bernardino County accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Colton on-the-job accident. Call 1-800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE San Bernardino wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges faced by workers and their families in the aftermath of an on-the-job accident?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Worker Killed in San Bernardino Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A worker sustained fatal job injuries after being crushed by equipment at a Long Beach rail facility. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the fatal workplace accident occurred in the 2400 block of East Sepulveda Boulevard the morning of September 18, 2010. The worker was standing under a crane and doing repair work when the accident occurred, a fellow worker told the Times. The victim died instantly. Another worker, who was in the area, was also pinned under the crane and sustained injuries. But, the extent of his injuries is not known. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of this deceased worker for their tragic loss. My heart also goes out to the injured worker. I wish this worker the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep these victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Crane Safety

Moving large, heavy loads is a part of everyday operations in manufacturing facilities and at construction sites. There are a number of federal and state safety standards, which govern the operation of cranes at work sites. Workers must undergo extensive training both to operate the crane and to understand safety procedures. There are significant safety issues to be considered both for crane operators and for those working in proximity to the cranes. Failure to follow proper safety procedures can result in catastrophic injuries or even death.

What Caused This Accident?

In this particular case, it is not clear how or why the fatal accident occurred. There are many questions to be answered here. Who was operating the crane? What was the worker repairing? Was there any equipment malfunction or failure involved? How many others were working in the area? Was the crane malfunctioning? What caused the crane collapse? Who was responsible for the crane's maintenance? I trust investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are examining the circumstances of the accident and what caused it.

Third Party Claims

In such cases, families of deceased workers as well as injured workers can receive workers compensation benefits. However, these benefits are sadly inadequate especially when it comes to compensating a seriously injured worker who has suffered permanent disabilities and cannot return to work, or a family that has suffered the loss of its primary wage earner.

An experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer will be able to determine whether there is a "third-party claim" here. Such claims are usually filed against an individual or an entity other than an employer whose negligence may have caused or contributed to the accident. Examples of third parties include contactors, sub-contractors, equipment maintenance contractors or manufacturers of defective products. Such claims are usually worth much more to workers and their families than workers compensation benefits.

Have you suffered a work-related injury? Do you believe you were fairly compensated?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Worker Fatally Injured in Long Beach Crane Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A worker sustained critical job injuries the morning of June 19, 2010 after he fell into a multi-blade grinder and lost both his legs. According to an ABC News report, the major injury accident occurred at the Jobbers Meat Packing Company at Fruitland Avenue and Downey Road in Vernon. The worker's leg was amputated above the knee by the machine, which is described as a type of meat grinder. The worker was transported to an area hospital in serious condition. Officials are looking into how this horrific accident occurred.

View Larger Map

I sympathize deeply with this injured worker and his family. I wish him the very best for a speedy recovery. He probably won't be able to return to work because of the leg amputations. He and his family will be in my prayers.

Worker Injury Statistics

According to Cal-OSHA's 2005 statistics, 76 workers died in construction and industrial accidents in California as a result of contact with equipment. Totally, 453 California workers were killed in 2005 in industrial accidents. On-the-job accidents also lead to a number of catastrophic injuries each year.

Cause of the Accident

Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why the worker fell into the meat grinder. There are several questions to be answered here. Was the worker trained for the job? Was he advised by his employer of all safety procedures to be followed while operating the machinery? And did he follow those procedures? Was there a dangerous or unsafe condition that led to the accident? Was this accident the result of malfunctioning equipment, which had not been properly maintained? Was the equipment defective? These are all important questions that must be answered in order determine the cause and liability.

Claim for Compensation

In cases where workers have sustained catastrophic injuries, they will no doubt receive California workers compensation from their employers. However, in California, workers compensation benefits prove inadequate and may not fully cover medical expenses and lost wages faced by seriously hurt workers and their families.

Injured workers should consider filing a "third-party claim," which seeks compensation from a negligent party other than an employer. For example, if a defective product caused the accident, then the manufacturer of the defective product could also be held liable. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer experienced in handling third-party claims will be able to advise injured workers and their families about their legal rights and options.

What are the biggest challenges faced by injured workers and their families in the aftermath of a workplace accident?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Worker Suffers Major Injures On-the-Job is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Three workers sustained serious job injuries after a scissor lift they were working on 20 feet in the air fell onto the street in Glendale. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the accident occurred on the north side of the Glendale Galleria the morning of June 14, 2010. The men were doing work on an exterior planter box outside a second floor window at the corner of Broadway and Orange Street. The lift suddenly became unstable and fell onto Broadway. The workers, who are believed to be part of the maintenance crew at the Glendale Galleria, were transported to local hospitals.

View Larger Map

My heart goes out to these injured workers. I hope they have not sustained catastrophic injuries. I wish them all a speedy and complete recovery, and will keep them in my prayers.

Fall Statistics

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2008, fatal work injuries involving falls decreased 20 percent in 2008 after a sharp increase in 2007. The 847 fatal falls reported in 2007 was an all-time high. Fatal falls to a lower level, which accounted for 85 percent of all falls, had decreased by 23 percent in 2008. Fatal falls from roofs were down 26 percent and falls from ladders decreased by 14 percent.

Seeking Compensation

These numbers are no doubt good news. However, serious and catastrophic injuries frequently result from falls. For workers who make a living doing what they do, and for their families, a serious injury can cause tremendous emotional and financial strain. Injured workers are covered under California workers compensation benefits, but these benefits are extremely inadequate when it comes to helping cover medical expenses or lost wages.

Third-Party Claims

In such cases, workers and their families might want to look into whether they have a third-party claim, which is a claim filed against a party other than the employer. Examples of third parties are contractors, sub-contractors, defective product manufacturers or firms in charge of maintaining the equipment used for the work. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to advise workers about whether they have a valid third-party claim. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured workers and their families.

Have you or someone you know suffered an injury on-the-job? What were some of the toughest challenges you faced on the road to receiving compensation?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Maintenance Workers Seriously Injured at Glendale Galleria is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Max Martinez, a 26-year-old PG&E worker, sustained fatal job injuries after he was electrocuted while working in an underground vault in Benicia, California. According to a KGO-TV news report, the accident occurred the morning of March 17, 2010, when Martinez, a lineman, was installing a new transformer in the 12,000-volt vault. Three other workers were in the vault, but no one else was injured. California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA) officials are investigating this incident.

My prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Max Martinez. Apparently he worked for PG&E for the last five years. Please keep this deceased worker's family in your thoughts and prayers.

PG&E Accidents

Cal-OSHA reports that they investigated 16 incidents involving PG&E workers over the last five years. The most recent fatal incident occurred in March 2009 when a PG&E worker, also a lineman, fell 30 feet from a utility pole, in the Sierra foothills.

At this point, it is not clear what exactly caused this fatal on-the-job accident. Investigators are likely to be looking into whether the workers had been trained properly for the job they were doing, and if all safety standards and procedures were being followed at the time. I trust OSHA investigators will conduct a thorough investigation and obtain some answers for Max Martinez's family. This must truly, be a devastating blow for them.

Possibility of Third Party Claims

Martinez's family would be well-advised to seek the counsel of a reputed San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record with "third-party claims." These are claims filed against parties other than the employer in a workplace accident. Examples of third parties are contractors, sub-contractors, or the manufacturers of defective and malfunctioning products.

Third-party claims are typically worth a lot more than workers compensation, to the families of deceased victims, or workers who have sustained serious injuries. California workers compensation benefits, which are usually available to injured workers or their families through employers, are woefully inadequate, especially in fatal accidents or incidents that result in catastrophic injuries. A large company such as PG&E will already have its attorneys and insurance people working on this case to primarily safeguard their interests. There is no question that Martinez's family needs a skilled and knowledgeable injury lawyer on their side, fighting for them and protecting their legal rights.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Worker Electrocuted in Accident on the Job is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Artemio Hernandez, 40, a tree trimmer, sustained fatal job injuries while trimming a palm tree in a Pasadena backyard, the morning of February 13, 2010. According to a news report in the Pasadena Star News, Hernandez was working behind a house in the 500 block of South Oak Knoll Avenue. The man was suspended at a height of about 50 feet on the palm tree when a ring of fronds struck him, Pasadena fire officials said. A gardener heard Hernandez shout out initially, but did not hear anything from him afterward. Firefighters had to cut through the fronds to free the man from the tree.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Artemio Hernandez for their tragic and devastating loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

Tree-trimming Fatality Statistics

Tree-trimming can seem like a simple activity. But in reality, it can be tricky and extremely dangerous because these workers are operating from high elevations. There is the possibility of catastrophic injuries or death. There is the possibility of tree trimmers falling, getting electrocuted, becoming victim to defective or malfunctioning equipment, or being crushed by falling trees or debris. According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, from 1992 to 2007, a total of 1,285 people were killed in tree-trimming accidents. Of these deaths, 42 percent occurred when a person was hit by a falling tree or branch. Another 34 percent were killed by a fall from a tree and 14 percent were killed by electrocution.

Third Party Claims

In such cases, if a tree trimmer works for a company, his family will be entitled to receive California workers compensation benefits. Sometimes, in these types of accidents, families may be able to file a third-party claim against someone other than an employer, who allowed a dangerous condition to exist, which caused the accident. Examples of such third parties include a homeowner, contractor, sub-contractor or the manufacturer of a defective product.

Families of deceased workers, in such fatal injury accidents, would be well-advised to consult with a reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who is experienced and has a successful track record filing third party claims on behalf of injured workers and their families. The best personal injury lawyers will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Tree Trimmer Fatally Injured On the Job in Pasadena is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers