Accidents that occur in the workplace or are due to an unsafe working environment can sometimes result in serious injury or even a fatality. A workplace accident can suddenly reduce the income of an injured worker or, in the case of a fatal accident, not only emotionally devastate a family but also deprive it of a valuable source of income. It may sometimes be difficult to for accident victims and their families obtain the workers' compensation benefits needed to help deal with workplace injuries.

Readers in El Paso may have heard about a tragic accident that occurred in a Texas-based seatbelt manufacturing plant on Jan. 28. At around 9 a.m., a 40-year-old worker at the factory reportedly fell into an industrial press in the factory. Reports indicate that he was crushed by the press, and despite the efforts of emergency workers, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both the police and the company are currently doing their own investigations into what may have caused the incident. The plant was shut down for the remainder of the day on Jan. 28. The identity of the victim of this accident was not immediately released.

After any workplace accident, it is important that injured workers get the benefits that they are entitled to under Texas law. In the tragic case of a fatal accident, it is important that families are able to obtain compensation for funeral expenses and lost wages. Workers who operate in workplaces where there is risk of injury need to be aware of their legal rights and responsibilities to ensure that, should an incident occur, they or their families would not be faced with the prospect of burdensome expenses.

Source: KHOU.com, "Seat belt factory worker crushed by industrial press," Jan. 28, 2013