The Dalton Daily Citizen reports on the accidental death of a Shaw Plant worker. Shaw Industries had to shut down one of its Dalton, Georgia plants after a worker died in an accident on Monday, October 30th.
Jesus Pimentel died after “getting caught in a piece of machinery” according to the Dalton Police Department. They will not be investigating as it appears the incident was accidental in nature.
An autopsy will be performed, but Whitfield County Coroner Greg Bates said that Pimentel died of blunt force trauma after being caught between a moving part of a machine and a steel I-beam. Pimentel died at the scene of the accident.
Pimentel was reportedly trying to retrieve a piece of carpet or another item out of the machine. A coworker threw him a rope and when he bent over to retrieve it, he was caught in the machine.
The plant closed in the aftermath of the accident but reopened the following Wednesday.
It is not clear if the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be investigating.
Many workers are unfamiliar with their rights within the system in place under worker’s compensation laws in Georgia. For example, if a worker is injured in the workplace, they can receive compensation for medical rehabilitation as well as income benefits. If a worker receives a catastrophic injury, they are entitled to up to two-thirds of their weekly wage for as long as they are unable to work. In the case of an on-the-job death, the worker’s dependents may receive up to $7,500 in funeral expenses and up to two-thirds of the employee’s weekly wage.
Have you been injured in an accident? Let the experienced attorneys at the law offices of John Foy & Associates fight to get you the compensation you deserve. We can help. Call us today.
