An explosion at a munitions plant has hurt several employees and killed another. Because initial reports seem to indicate that the accident happened during the course of the workday, the injured workers and their families might be able to benefit from workers’ compensation.
Explosion at Ammunition Plant Kills One, Injures Four
The incident happened on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at an ammunition factory in Independence, Missouri. The factory, which is owned by Orbital ATK, sits on nearly 4,000 acres in Independence, just to the east of Kansas City and 60 miles southeast of St. Joseph. It produces and tests munitions used for smaller weapons, including the rifles used by the U.S. Army. The Army had only recently finalized a $92 million contract with Orbital for 5.56 and 7.62 millimeter ammunition.
The blast from the explosion shook the building that is used to mix some of the chemicals that are included in the ammunition. By the time the factory’s own fire team had responded to the explosion, one of the workers had died from the blast, and four others had gotten hurt. The injured employees were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The building where the explosion occurred was shut down so investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) could find out what had happened.
Workers’ Compensation Was Made for Situations Like These
When you’re on the job, regardless of what that entails, you’re benefitting your employer. Because your boss is reaping the rewards of your time on the clock, it is only fair for you to get compensated by your employer if you get hurt while in the course of your daily work. This is especially true if your job puts you in harm’s way on a regular basis. After all, you would not be there and in harm’s way if it weren’t a part of your job.
This is where the workers’ compensation scheme in Missouri is meant to step in. By requiring employers in the state to carry workers’ compensation insurance, the law allows people who were hurt while on the job to get the compensation they need to overcome their workplace injuries. Even better, workers’ compensation does this in a non-adverse setting and without the need for a personal injury lawsuit against your employer, which could create conflict and tension over the long-term, making it difficult for you to return to work after your recovery.
St. Joseph Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at the Smith Law Office
Nevertheless, workers’ compensation claims are often fraught with difficulties. Insurance companies are heavily involved, and they all have a strong incentive to minimize any payments that they make. This can leave you undercompensated, which can prevent you from fully recovering from your injuries.
Having workers’ compensation attorneys, like the ones at the Smith Law Office in St. Joseph, can ensure that you get the full coverage you need to overcome your workplace injury and get back to your normal life. Contact us online or call our law office at (816) 875-9373 to get the legal help you need to get the compensation you deserve.