Port of Los Angeles Accident Kills 1 & Injures Another
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An accident at the Port of Los Angeles has killed one worker and severely injured another. The industrial accident occurred early Wednesday morning at Fenix Marine Services on Pier 300. Initial reports indicate that a top loader container handler caused the deadly accident. The injured worker received treatment for injuries at UCLA Medical Center, and their current condition is unknown.
Tragically, the incident happened on the same day that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union held its annual First Blood event, an occasion that recognizes the first workers who were killed during the 1934 West Coast strikes that led to the ILWU’s creation.
"I am heartbroken to hear that this morning we lost one of our ILWU brothers in an industrial accident at the Port of Los Angeles while another has been seriously injured," Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino stated. "Please keep their families in your prayers and respect their privacy at this time."
What Are Top Loaders?
Top loaders are large machines that can lift and transport large seagoing containers. They resemble large forklifts and can lift as much as 41 tons of cargo and can stack as many as 5 containers. While top loaders are crucial to port operations, they represent significant dangers to workers. These machines must receive regular maintenance, and their operators must have proper safety training to prevent serious accidents.
The Law Protects Longshoremen
Labor laws in the United States protect longshoremen and harbor workers. The Longshore Act is a statute that was created in 1927 and provides temporary compensation benefits to workers while they are receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained while working. The Longshore Act has specific provisions involving forklift accidents or injuries sustained while loading and unloading cargo. This law acknowledges that employers are responsible for the safety of harbor workers and are accountable for compensating them when they're injured in accidents.
Our longshoreman injury attorneys will closely follow this story as officials release details about the cause of this accident.