Massachusetts workplace injury: Pinned by a rolling work cart

A country club employee was recently injured in an on-the-job accident involving a work cart. The Massachusetts workplace injury occurred at about 8:30 a.m. when the worker got out of the cart. As he did so, it was said to have rolled backwards on a hill. He apparently tried to stop the movement of the cart but fell when he tried to get back into it. Consequently, the front wheel of the cart rolled over one of his legs, pinning it in a position from which he was unable to free himself.

The worker was said to have been stuck for nearly a half hour before he was discovered and 911 was alerted. Local firefighters responded. Shortly before they arrived, others at the country club were able to lift the cart from the injured man. Though conscious, he was said to be in pain.

Rescue workers applied a medical splint. It was noted that the device used was intended for circumstances where a bone had been broken. Once placed on a backboard, he was transferred to Salem Hospital for treatment. No further word on his condition was immediately available.

A workplace injury is potentially devastating on several levels. First, there is the concern for the safety and well-being of the worker. Second, the employee faces medical costs and likely lost income from employment during any recovery period. Fortunately, Massachusetts workers’ compensation benefits typical apply in these circumstances to both assist with the costs involved and to cover the employee for lost income so that the injured employee may concentrate on getting better and returning to the job.

Source: Swampscott, MA Patch, “Tedesco Worker Injured in Cart Incident,” Terry Date, Aug. 20, 2012