Tree Worker Injury Accidents

Tree trimming and tree removal can be a dangerous occupation with hundreds of tree workers killed or injured every year. According to the Tree Care Industry Association, tree worker injury accidents data spanning several years suggests that tree worker injuries and fatalities are more of a result of complacency rather than ignorance.

In support of this claim, the association notes that the typical fall victim was unsecured, the typical struck-by victim remained in the drop zone, and the typical electrocution victim violated minimum approach distance (MAD) and made contact with an electrified power source through a tool, a boom, a vehicle or other object.

The consistently high number of incidents in tree care industry in the last few years has caught The United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) attention.  OSHA seeks to raise awareness of tree trimming and removal safety hazards to which tree trimmers and tree care industry workers are exposed to on a daily basis in order to reduce the number of avoidable injuries and to reduce tree worker fatal injury accidents.

Employers have been put on notice to properly assess work sites to identify potential hazards such as live power lines, clearly demarcate drop zones to prevent struck by injuries, and require employees to wear full safety protection regardless of whether the workers are on the ground only or climb or they are lifted in aerial lifts and buckets. Furthermore, tree workers should be aware of safety hazards and receive ongoing safety training to promote safe practices to reduce preventable tree worker injuries.

Tree Worker Injury Accidents Lawyers

If you were injured in tree worker injury accident and your employer’s work comp insurance company denied your claim for work comp benefits or your work comp benefits do not fully cover your recovery, then your employee rights may have been violated. It is important to seek the assistance of an experienced Iowa workers’ compensation benefits attorney to secure the income and reimbursement you need to fully recover from your work injury. Call 515-283-2116 to schedule a free initial consultation with John T. Hemminger.