Two workers hurt in backhoe accident, gas line explosion

Pittsburgh sits about 38 miles southwest of the tiny town of Worthington, a place probably best known for its rich deposits of coal and natural gas. WTAE recently reported on a high-pressure accident that left two workers with injuries. A backhoe operator suffered apparently serious burns when the heavy machinery struck a high-pressure gas line, which then exploded.

The fire spread to the backhoe with the operator caught in the blaze. He was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment of his burns. The other injured worker was transported to an area hospital with injuries described as minor.

Investigators are at work on trying to figure out what caused the incident, WTAE reported.

In many similar situations, some readers might jump to the conclusion that because a backhoe hit a gas line, the operator must be at fault. However, there are also circumstances in which the operator is told to dig in the wrong location, or a gas line is improperly identified on maps, or the depth of the line is improperly recorded.

Injured construction workers might well be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits that include medical care and a portion of the worker’s lost wages. If a negligent third party is responsible for a worksite accident resulting in serious injuries, experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys can negotiate effectively with insurers for full compensation or pursue a favorable outcome in litigation.

Personal injury lawyers can also help protect employees injured in on-the-job accidents appeal denied workers’ comp benefits. Those benefits can be an irreplaceable lifeline for not only the worker, but also his or her family dependent on their income.