Serious workplace accidents happen all the time. It’s an unfortunate reality, but it is our reality nonetheless. When these workplace accidents occur, there are a lot of questions that need to be asked by investigators. Did the workplace have previous violations for safety? Was a worker at fault for the accident? If it was due to a worker, had the worker been properly trained to perform whatever task that eventually led to the accident?
These are just a few of the questions that need to be asked in the wake of a workplace accident, and the answers could result in the company taking quite a bit of flak. Even more important than that though is the fate of the workers who are injured by the accident.
Their lives could forever be changed, and regardless of whether negligence is a part of the incident, they could be entitled to Social Security disability benefits to help them move past this traumatizing and life-altering experience.
However, these workers will likely find the Social Security disability process frustrating and difficult. It is common for people with legitimate SSD claims to be denied the benefits that they need, simply because the system is inefficient. In such a case, the applicant needs to consult an experienced attorney so that they can go about appealing the decision.
This could be what happens to a number of workers at a chrome polishing business, after an explosion rocked their workplace due to lint and dust blockage in their vents. 11 workers were hurt, some of them critically. The workplace was previously cited for safety violations.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “Eleven hurt in blast at La Habra chrome polishing plant,” Adolfo Flores, April 29, 2014
