It was a routine day on the job for CenterPoint Energy workers doing maintenance work when an electrical fire broke out.
Five Houston workers were seriously harmed in an on-the-job accident involving a fire caused by an electrical malfunction. Eyewitness reported that they witnessed an electrical arc which caused a flash fire while five utility workers were in a building in the downtown core.
The vault the CenterPoint Energy workers were in was in the basement of the Southwestern Bell building. The vault was a repository for stored equipment to maintain underground power lines in the downtown area. The men were there to carry out routine maintenance.
In the middle of their work, something happened to cause an electrical accident, which triggered a flash fire in the underground room. The one-two combination of electrical shock and a fire critically injured one man. The other four were deemed in stable condition when they arrived at the hospital. All the men were expected to remain in the hospital for an extended period of time to be treated for their burn and smoke inhalation injuries.
There are a number of questions inherent in this scenario, not the least of which is whether or not a safety protocol was breached while the five were underground in a small, enclosed vault, working with electricity. An investigation would provide details on what caused the precursor electrical accident, which started the flash fire. Whether or not the lines were improperly maintained in the first place, or a worker was careless will be of importance in determining fault in this accident.
On-the-job injuries caused by the conduct of others, either by another worker or the employer, should be discussed with a competent Austin injury lawyer. Not all Texas companies offer workers’ compensation and how the case may proceed to obtain compensation is affected by the facts.
Injuries that occur on-the-job that were the result of negligence, either by another worker or the employer, should be discussed with a competent Austin injury lawyer. Not all Texas companies offer workers’ compensation and how the case may proceed to obtain compensation is affected by the facts.
If you have been injured on the job, make it a point to discuss your situation with an experienced injury lawyer. You may need long-term care and face enormous medical bills. It is the lawyer’s job to assist you in obtaining fair and equitable compensation to assist you in moving forward with your life and deal with your financial obligations.
Perlmutter & Schuelke, LLP is one of the premier trial firms in Austin Texas. Contact a wrongful death attorney by calling 512-476-4944 or learn more at http://www.civtrial.com/.
