Public Works Employee Killed by Garbage Truck
Recently, a 19-year-old Metro Public Works employee tragically died when he was crushed by a garbage truck in downtown Nashville. Chandler Harris of Timberside Drive was standing on the back of a garbage truck with a co-worker as another Public Works employee backed the truck into an alley near the intersection of 5th Avenue North and Commerce Street. Mr. Harris became pinned between the garbage truck and the alley wall and then fell underneath the rear tires of the truck. The truck backed over Mr. Harris before his co-worker could alert the driver and the teenager was run over again when the driver pulled forward. Unfortunately, Mr. Harris succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Reports suggest there is no evidence that drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident and the City has called Mr. Harris’ death a tragedy.
Work-Related Accidents, Injuries, and Death
Tennessee state law provides that you or your loved ones may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you are injured or killed while at work. If your job is covered by the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act and you get hurt on the job, your employer may be required to pay for the medical treatment you need to get back to work.
Important Employee Responsibilities
In the case of an on-the-job injury, the first and most important thing an individual should do is seek emergency medical attention, if needed. It is also extremely important to give your employer written notice of your injury within thirty days of the injury. If you do not report your injury to your employer properly, you may not be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Available Benefits
If you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you have the right to receive those benefits promptly and on a regular basis. Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-205 provides that your employer must issue you your first workers’ compensation payment within fifteen days after they have knowledge of your injury. These payments are supposed to be paid directly to you (or to your dependents) on a monthly basis. Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102 further defines the “maximum total benefit” you may be entitled to, depending on when your injury occurred, as well as the maximum amount of compensation payable to you each week.
Call a Tennessee Workplace Injury Lawyer Today
Tennessee’s Workers’ Compensation Act is a complex statute and requires injured parties to take specific actions in order to claim benefits. If you have been hurt on the job, you need an lawyer who can help you preserve your rights and build your case for benefits.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an on-the-job accident, let the experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC help. Contact our Nashville office today for a free and private consultation of your claims. We will work with you to investigate your claim, identify all responsible parties, and pursue the full compensation to which you are entitled.