Houston Personal Injury Lawyer - Workplace Injuries

Mover Sues Former Employer Over Neck Injury

Scott Kappes — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:25:52 GMT

A former employee of Burris Transfer and Storage Co. has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, claiming that he severely injured his neck while working for the company. Gary Crissman claims that on Dec. 19 he sustained a severe neck injury while lifting and carrying heavy pieces of furniture.

According to the complaint Crissman has suffered from severe physical pain and suffering, permanent impairment, and physical disfigurement due to the incident. Crissman has also incurred medical costs and lost wages as a result of the injury.

The suit claims that Burris transfer failed to properly train Crissman on how to properly perform the duties associated with his job. The suit also claims that Burris Transfer failed to provide Crissman with the proper tools to safely perform his job duties, failed to properly surpervise Crissman, and failed to provide an adequate number of co-workers to perform his duties.

Crissman is seeking actual damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Fatal Houston Crane Accident Raises Concern Over Lax Regulations

Scott Kappes — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:34:55 GMT

As many will already know a massive crane collapse on Friday left four workers dead. Yet another to add to the growing list of fatal crane accidents that have occurred over the last several months. The accident happened when the massive 30–story crane collapsed at the Lyondell oil refinery, in SE Houston. The terrible accident took four lives and left seven more injured. Federal investigators began their investigation of the accident on Saturday.

The crane owners, Deep South Crane and Rigging of Baton Rouge, has expressed sympathy and sorrow over the loss, and has said that they are committed to making sure that this type of terrible tragedy never happens again.

The company has released the names of those workers that were killed in the accident. The four workers who lost their lives were Marion "Scooter" Hubert Odom III, 41, of Highlands; John D. Henry, 33, of Dayton; Daniel "DJ" Lee Johnson, 30, of Dayton; and Rocky Dale Strength, 30, of Santa Fe, Texas.

This tragic accident should strengthen the case for greater regulations for crane operators and general crane safety. Scrutiny of crane safety has been on the rise in the recent months following the catastrophic crane collapse in Manhattan that claimed seven lives. Fatal accidents have also recently taken place in Miami and Las Vegas.

Although many states regulate crane operation, Texas does not. Texas lead the nation in crane-related fatalities, with 26, in 2005 and 2006, and despite these shocking numbers does not require crane operators to even be licensed. This is an issue that must be addressed. The lack of local and state regulations leaves crane safety up to federal regulations that have not kept up with technological advances, to say the least.

Hopefully this heartbreaking tragedy will help to create the awareness that is needed to enact long overdue crane regulations to ensure that these types of tragedies are avoided in the future.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Rice University Wall Collapse Claims One Life and Injures Seven Others

Scott Kappes — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:52:56 GMT

As anyone who lives or works in the Houston area probably already knows, the area was hit with powerful thunderstorms yesterday afternoon. The evidence of high wind and torrential downpour were seen all across the city. At a dormitory under construction at Rice University the fierce winds may have caused four cinder block walls to come crashing down, injuring seven workers and taking the life of another.

The falling debris trapped five workers; four were transported to local hospitals and one was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other workers were treated at the scene for minor injuries suffered while trying to dig their trapped coworkers out of the rubble.

The condition of those hospitalized was not immediately available. Rescue crews excavated the accident site finding no other victims.

OSHA will conduct an investigation of the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Another Accident at New Cowboys Stadium Kills One Worker

Scott Kappes — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:46:35 GMT

The second major accident in less than a week at the site the new Dallas Cowboys stadium took the life of one worker over the weekend. The worker died Saturday when he inadvertently touched a high voltage wire while performing an electrical test.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Web site identified the man as Timothy Mackinnon, 45, of Arlington. He worked for JMEG Electric, a subcontractor hired by the stadium's general contractor, Manhattan Construction.

Efforts to revive the victim at the scene were unsuccessful despite a speedy response from firefighters and paramedics.

This is second accident at the job site in the less than a week. Just three days prior three men were injured when a crane cable snapped and they had to leap from a crane cab to avoid being crushed by falling debris. Two of the men were treated for minor injuries and released, but the third injured worker was still in serious condition as of Saturday.

OSHA inspectors were on site investigating Thursday’s crane accident at the time of the Saturday’s fatal mishap.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Another Crane Accident Injures 3 Workers At New Cowboys Stadium

Scott Kappes — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:16:21 GMT

A crane accident at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium Thursday left tree men injured after they were force to jump from a crane cab to avoid equipment and cables falling from another crane. One worker was taken by CareFlite helicopter to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and the other two were transported to the same location by ambulance. This accident comes just one day after a crane accident near downtown Dallas killed one worker.

Thursday's accident happened about 2 p.m. between the stadium's dual arches just outside the northeast end zone. The workers were assembling a crane when a cable connector "failed" on the erecting crane, which allowed the cables and some other parts to fall, according to a written statement from Manhattan Construction.

Highly publicized crane accidents in New York and Miami claimed nine lives earlier this year and this is the second crane accident in the Dallas area in as many days. This is simply unacceptable. Something must be done to ensure that crane safety improves drastically in the near future.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Dallas Crane Accident Kills Worker

Scott Kappes — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:41:42 GMT

A crane accident near downtown Dallas Wednesday left one worker dead. The victim, 37 year-old Omar Wray, was killed the when a cable snapped causing a large hook to come crashing down on the victim. News images showed other workers examining what appeared to be a damaged cable that dangled from the top of the crane. The victim was employed by TXI of Dallas and had just delivered a load of concrete to the worksite. OSHA officials have begun an investigation of the accident.

Turner Construction Co. is overseeing the project, but the victim worked for a subcontractor, said Matt Papenfus, Turner's general manager.

Turner officials recently gave the construction crew, including subcontractors a safety seminar on cranes, Mr. Papenfus said.

Over the past several month crane accident have been all too common. Highly publicized crane accidents in New York and Miami claimed nine lives earlier this year. Officials nationwide have expressed concerns over crane safety. OSHA is currently the only group to have oversight of crane operations.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes