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Construction accident kills one worker in tunnel

On Behalf of | Jun 21, 2012 | Construction Workers' Accidents, Firm News

One worker was killed and another injured in a tunnel at an out-of-state construction site on June 11. The construction accident occurred while employees of a water authority agency were working on a mining operation when they were struck by a high-pressure release of grout. The project is intended to allow authorities to draw water from the Colorado River.

One worker died from the impact of the pressure release and was pronounced dead on the scene. The other worker was transported to the hospital with unspecified injuries, and there was no word on the extent of his injuries or his updated medical condition. No other workers were said to have been injured. Also, nobody was exposed to any harmful gases as a result of the pressure release. The company says no workers remained in the tunnel.

The project where the accident occurred is known as Intake No. 3. The Southern Nevada Water Authority, a cooperative public agency originally formed in 1991, began this particular project to help protect against water quality issues associated with decreasing lake levels by drawing water from the Colorado River. The construction is part of a $2.9 billion capital improvement program which is intended to last over 15 years.

The deceased worker’s family is likely entitled to receive workers’ compensation death benefits as a result of the fatal accident. The other worker who survived the construction accident may also qualify for workers’ compensation benefits for medical and other costs related to the work injury, as well as for lost income during his recovery period. This may also include ongoing treatment, including pain medications, depending upon the severity of the injuries suffered.

The company has yet to announce what measures they plan to take in order ensure the project is safe to continue, and there will no doubt be an official investigation to determine exactly what happened and what can be done to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Source: CNN, “Tunnel accident near Las Vegas kills one worker, injures another,” June 11, 2012

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