Baltimore County officials have reported that a roof collapse in Sparrows Point, at the former Bethlehem Steel plant, injured nine workers.
This type of work accident may not be common, but can happen from time to time in the construction industry. A member of the Baltimore County Fire Department said that a crew was demolishing the building when the roof collapsed. Fortunately, all of the workers were able to escape the building, due in large part to the assistance of other employees.
It was first believed that five people were injured in the work accident; however, this number was later increased to nine. Five of the workers were taken to a local hospital in serious condition, while the other four were transported in critical condition to Shock Trauma.
A Baltimore County Fire Department spokesperson said, “cantilever collapse is when the roof will fail in the middle and fall like this, where with a pancake collapse, the whole roof is on top of them. So this way it gave them areas to escape from, where otherwise it would have been — they probably would not have had a place to escape.”
It is fortunate that the roof collapsed in a manner that allowed the workers to escape; however, this does not change the fact that these people were still injured and are now in need of medical attention. Workers’ compensation benefits can provide relief for lost wages, medical expenses and other damages that result from such an accident. However, in some cases, a workers’ compensation claim may denied. When that happens, an appeal may be necessary for a worker to receive the benefits he or she deserves.
Source: WBAL TV, “9 injured in Bethlehem Steel building collapse” Katie Lange, May. 06, 2014