Some experts are aggravated by the conditions that workers of the world are exposed to through no fault of their own. Each day, millions of individuals are required to head into a workplace that does not abide by adequate safety precautions. While many of these people are located in nations outside of the U.S., some are located on domestic soil, some even in Texas. Work-related injuries happen on a regular basis to people in Texas and many people want to see the number of preventable accidents decline to avoid unnecessary injuries and deaths.
More than 1,100 factory workers were killed in a single building collapse that occurred in Bangladesh during April. Another 120 individuals died during a factory fire in China two months later. According to reports, the workers discovered that the emergency exits were locked. Two days after the factory fire, six people were killed while a building was being demolished in Pennsylvania. A negligent contractor is reportedly to blame for the deaths. According to allegations, the crane operator was under the influence of drugs and may be facing manslaughter charges and life behind bars because the individuals who lost their lives were not workers.
But what about the massive numbers of people who were killed in Bangladesh and China? Will the employers face manslaughter charges for that? It isn't likely, especially since companies in the U.S. who are found negligent in fatal workplace accidents are only subject to a maximum sentence of six months. This disconnect has called the value of human life in the workplace into question and many are upset that employers - especially those on U.S. soil - cannot be held more liable. Attempts to reform regulations within Congress have failed, possibly due to business interests.
As unfair as this may seem, it is still possible to hold an employer responsible for some injuries or deaths that have occurred in the workplace. If you or someone you know has been a victim of these things, speak to an attorney as soon as possible.
Source: The Epoch Times, "Paid to Die: The Workplace Death Toll Marches On" Phoebe Ryles, Jun. 17, 2013
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