California Injury Blog
Cal/OSHA officials have opened an investigation into a fatal Torrance industrial job injury involving an ExxonMobil worker, Nelson Tan, 50, who died April 26, 2009 after he suffered severe burn injuries in the company’s Torrance refinery. According to an article in the Daily Breeze, Tan was scalded by steam April 11, 2009 while working at the ExxonMobil refinery.
My heart goes out to the family of Nelson Tan for their tragic loss. Apparently, he was a long-time employee at that ExxonMobil refinery. I offer my deepest condolences to Tan’s family, friends and co-workers. Please keep them in your prayers.
According to the California Department of Industrial Relations’ 2005 industrial accident statistics, 14 people died on the job in California from burns.
Officials from the California Department of Industrial Relations say they are looking into exactly what occurred. They will be examining and analyzing the area the industrial accident to make sure that everything was operating properly and that the company and its workers were following proper guidelines. The last death at this refinery occurred April 2003 when a worker was electrocuted while working on an air conditioner.
I trust California officials will conduct a thorough investigation and get some answers for Tan’s family as to how and why this tragic on-the-job accident occurred. Tan’s family would be well-advised to retain the services of a California personal injury attorney, who has experience in “third party claims.”
What are third party claims? They are basically claims filed against parties other than the employer in a workplace accident. These parties can be a contractor that maintains equipment or the manufacturer of a defective product. These third party claims are worth 20 times more to injured workers and their families than California Workers Compensation benefits, which remain woefully inadequate. In cases where a worker is seriously injured and unable to work for months or in cases where a family has lost its primary breadwinner, California workers compensation benefits don’t cover even a fraction of the expenses these families face.
I’d bet ExxonMobil already has its lawyers and insurance people all over this incident conducting their investigation to protect their interests. Tan’s family needs a skilled personal injury attorney on their side protecting their interests and fighting for their rights. The best California personal injury attorneys will offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation.