train from Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

An MBTA conductor had to have his left leg amputated below the knee after a train crushed a part of his leg. According to a news report, the man lost his footing and fell off a moving locomotive while performing a safety check of the platform at. His family started a fundraising page that says, “Even the best insurance does not cover the cost of everyday living.” It goes on to explain how recovering an injury such as this could require weeks of hospitalization, months of rehabilitation, not to mention the potential for other surgeries and setbacks. These are the types of injuries an experienced Providence workers’ compensation lawyer can help you obtain compensation for.

The Devastation of Amputations

MBTA Conductor

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) describes amputations as one of the most severe and crippling types of injuries one can suffer in the workplace. Needless to say, amputations result in permanent disability and disfigurement. We see the occurrence of amputations in many different types of industries involving a wide range of activities and equipment. Roughly half of all amputations occur in the manufacturing sector while the remaining amputations tend to occur in construction, trade, retail and other areas. Railway workers are also at significant risk.

Are Workplace Injuries of This Magnitude Common?

More than 200,000 U.S. workers suffer amputations and lacerations as a result of working with machinery. OSHA investigators who look into these matters tend to discover that a lot of these machines lack proper safety mechanisms. OSHA also requires employers to report amputations within 24 hours of the incident occurring. Since this reporting practice started, we have gotten a much better picture of the number of injuries in the U.S. that result in amputations.

man in physical therapy after a leg amputation at work

An amputation poses challenges on many levels including physical, emotional, financial, and social. It could also affect one’s ability to think clearly and solve problems. The way a person who has suffered an amputation responds to it may vary depending on that person’s personality, values and attitudes. Their support system, be it family, friends, religious organization or community, can also make a huge difference in the individual’s recovery and rehabilitation.

Contact Us Today!

Providence workers’ compensation lawyerIn addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits, injured workers may also be able to file a third-party claim against a party other than the employer, whose negligence might have caused or contributed to the worker’s injuries. The experienced Rhode Island personal injury lawyers at d’Oliveira & Associates can help injured workers and their families seek and obtain maximum compensation for their losses. Call us at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form online, for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

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Paul d’Oliveira

Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.

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