Workers’ compensation for Maryland worker buried to chest in dirt

Workplace accidents and injuries can have a serious impact on an employee and his or her family. Medical bills can pile up, and the loss of income due to the inability to work during the recovery period can lead to financial stresses for the injured and their loved ones. With the aid of the Maryland workers’ compensation program, workers who have suffered an injury while on the job may be eligible for financial compensation.

Around 2:30 a.m. on a recent Wednesday, dirt that was stacked at a construction site collapsed, trapping a male employee. When authorities arrived on the scene, the worker was buried chest deep and struggling to get out. It had appeared to the rescue team that the man’s co-workers had attempted to dig the man out themselves but were unsuccessful. With the appropriate gear, firefighters were able to secure the area and pull the man to safety.

The injured worker was transported to a local shock trauma facility for treatment and recovery. Firefighters say his injuries are not life-threatening and this incident could have had a devastating outcome. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was called to the scene, and they are continuing to investigate the incident.

For employees who have been involved in a workplace accident, states such as Maryland require employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Benefits provided by the insurance program can help with medical bills and lost wages that result from a workplace injury. The path to receiving these benefits can be complicated and frustrating, often requiring the assistance of an experienced attorney.

Source: baltimore.cbslocal.com, “Construction Worker Recovering After Baltimore Trench Collapse“, Meg McNamara, Oct. 25, 2017