With the advent of spring, many states, including Missouri, are gearing up to begin repairs and new projects. Thousands of workers who were laid off have looked forward to a return to the job and the opportunity to provide income for their families. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when an accident can result in a construction worker suffering serious, even debilitating, injuries.
Just days after returning to work, one man was on the site of a planned bridge collapse when he was horribly injured. According to the report, the 42-year-old man was engaged in electrical work under an overpass that was scheduled for demolition. Another worker for the same subcontractor was moving a construction vehicle at the same time. For reasons that are yet unclear, the truck backed into the man, knocking him to the ground. The vehicle then ran over the victim before the driver was aware of what happened.
The injured man was transported to a local medical center. According to a family member, the man suffered a broken pelvis and ribs along with massive internal injuries. At the time of the report, he remained unconscious with doctors predicting a long and difficult recovery before he would be expected to regain at least limited mobility.
A family member has established a fundraiser to help the victim, who is raising three children on his own. Assuming he survives, it is possible that he may never fully recover enough to return to his occupation as a construction worker. Missouri workers who have suffered injuries while on the job are typically entitled to seek benefits from the state-regulated workers’ compensation insurance program. Those who are unsure of how to file a qualifying claim may benefit from the assistance of an attorney who is well-versed in successfully filing claims for maximum allowable benefits.