In early May, it was reported that a North Carolina man was injured while on the job. The workplace accident is said to have left him with significant injuries. According to state laws, he may be entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits. He may also be entitled to file a third-party claim against the individual responsible.
What happened?
According to reports, on May 4, the victim — a 33-year-old male — who works for Ruston Paving Company, was working on the brakes of a dump truck. For reasons that are unclear at this time, another employee got in the truck while the victim was still underneath and started driving it off the company lot. The dump truck was connected to a trailer, and the trailer struck the victim. He was promptly transported to an area hospital with injuries only identified as life-threatening. His current condition is unknown.
Investigation
Police were called to the scene to investigate the matter. Their report has not been released to the public. As this did happen at a place of business, the Labor Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will also likely be called to review what happened.
Workers’ compensation
When a person suffers injuries in a workplace accident, he or she has the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits to cover any resulting losses — such as lost wages and medical expenses. If disability results from the injury, the individual may be entitled to further compensation and assistance. Achieving maximum compensation for one’s losses can prove a challenging feat, but thankfully, North Carolina residents do not have to fight the system alone. Legal counsel can assist in filing and, if necessary, appealing workers’ compensation claims. If appropriate, further assistance can be provided in pursuing third-party legal claims in civil court.