Many visitors from various locations, including Raleigh, travel to Charlotte for a day of fun at Carowinds, an amusement park on the state line between South and North Carolina. The safety of all the rides is crucial, but few fun seekers pause to spare a thought for the workers who risk their safety to do maintenance on the equipment to ensure safe operation. The state-regulated workers’ compensation system has dealt with many benefits claims from injured workers throughout the years.
The latest incident caused a catastrophic injury to a worker who had to be rescued from one of the tallest rides at the park. Reportedly, the man was inspecting the Windseeker as a part of the preparation for the facility’s imminent re-opening for the new season. A Carowinds worker at ground level heard the distressed worker calling for help from where he was working at a height of about 300 feet. The worker’s hand was severed, apparently because the ride was tripped while he was inspecting a pulley.
Fire crews rushed to the scene soon after receiving a 911 call at about 9 a.m. on a recent Wednesday. They lowered the injured victim to ground level and rushed him to a medical facility. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation to determine the cause of this tragic incident.
Victims of work-related injuries are typically eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which usually cover medical expenses and lost wages. Those who suffer catastrophic injuries, such as amputations, usually qualify for additional benefits such as vocational rehabilitation. In a case such as this one, in which the worker was a third-party contractor, an experienced North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney can determine eligibility for insurance benefits, and assist with proceedings to recover all applicable financial relief.
