A tree trimmer in Long Beach sustained critical injuries on the job after he made contact with some high-voltage power lines with his tree trimming tool, The Press Telegram reports. Long Beach Fire Department officials said the man was about 15 feet up in a cluster of trees when his trimmer became fused onto the wires, the afternoon of April 24, 2010. Witnesses told officials that the man was shocked about four to six times and went in and out of consciousness.

The job was apparently dangerous to begin with because the trees were located between two swimming pools with only a few feet to maneuver equipment on either side. The location also hampered the rescue operation. The power had to be shut down first and then firefighters got the man down the tree in about 30 minutes. The worker, said to be a man in his 20s, was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

My heart goes out to this man who got injured just trying to do his job. I hope he has not suffered any catastrophic injuries and pray for his speedy and complete recovery.

Tree Trimming Accident Statistics

According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, from 1992 to 2007, a total of 1,285 people were killed in tree-trimming accidents nationwide. Of these deaths, 42 percent occurred when a person was hit by a falling tree or branch. Another 34 percent were killed by a fall from a tree, while 14 percent were killed by electrocution.

Tree trimming in most cases is an extremely dangerous activity. It is tricky and hazardous because workers are operating at high elevations and trying to maneuver their way around thick branches. These workers face the risk of serious personal injuries or death from falling, getting electrocuted, or being crushed by falling trees or debris. Malfunctioning or defective equipment also, often lead to tree trimming accidents.

Claim for Compensation

In such cases, injured victims should be able to receive California workers compensation benefits. However, if the negligence of someone, other than the employer, caused or contributed to the accident, then, a third-party claim for compensation can be filed. Examples of third parties could be the manufacturer of a defective product, a homeowner or a contractor. Usually, third-party claims are worth much more to the victims than what workers compensation provides. Victims or their families would be well-advised to seek the counsel of a reputed Long Beach personal injury lawyer who has a successful track record filing third party claims on behalf of injured workers and/or their families.

What do you believe are the most serious challenges workers face after becoming injured on the job?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.