Terrifying Illinois steel plant explosion injures 9 employees

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Industrial Workers’ Accidents on Friday, March 15, 2013.

Firefighters report that they had been to the Illinois steel plant that had an explosion last week on previous occasions due to workplace accidents, but this was the worst they had responded to. The Occupational and Safety Health Administration is investigating the industrial accident that injured at least nine employees, but preliminary reports indicate it may have been an explosion of natural gas.

Explosions are a serious risk for injuring manufacturing workers. At least two victims had to be airlifted for immediate treatment of the burns that they sustained in this accident. The critically injured burn victims are now reported to be in stable condition, but what the recovery time looks like for these victims remains unknown.

The victims likely are worried about how these injuries will impact their lives long-term. Beyond possibly being disfigured from the accident, the employees could be unable to return to work. Most workers in Illinois cannot afford to lose their job. Particularly when an injured worker was the primary income earner, a workplace accident can be devastating.

It is for this reason that workers’ compensation is in place. Benefits from workers’ compensation can cover medical bills for the injury as well as supplement lost wages. Unfortunately, companies will at times fight against the employee by arguing the claim is not valid. In many instances, an injured worker in Illinois will need to retain an experienced attorney to receive their just benefits.

An experience attorney can also determine if there are additional factors of negligence at play so that the worker receives full compensation following the accident.

Source: Los Angeles Times, “Several injured, 2 critically, in explosion at Illinois steel plant,” Marisa Gerber, March 7, 2013