Georgia Logging & Tree Cutting Work Injuries: A Story Every Logger Needs To Hear

Georgia Logging & Tree Cutting Work Injuries: A Story Every Logger Needs To Hear

It’s early morning, deep into a tall forest in Georgia. Ted, a third generation logger is hard at work cutting down trees. This life is all Ted has ever known. His father and grandfather were loggers like him. With a very strong work ethic and a respect for those loggers who came before him, he is making an honorable living and supporting a family. Yet, much like the trees he works hard to harvest, Ted’s world is about to come crashing down.

 

Ted has his hard hat on, a saw, a file, gas, oil, and wedges. He knows how to fell the trees in a way that causes no harm to others and the least damage to the surrounding trees. As he continues working, a younger logger, new to the site and with little training, fells a tree in Ted’s direction. With saws buzzing all around, Ted never even heard it coming. Within seconds his life is forever changed. He survives but the injuries are life-threatening. The opportunity to support his family has been ripped away.  He is left paralyzed in the hospital bed.

 

A short time later, a representative for the employer’s insurance company contacts the man. The amount offered is actually far less than he will need given the lifelong medical bills ahead, the pain and suffering yet to come and the fact the his livelihood has been taken away. What seems like a generous offer now will actually leave the man and his family struggling financially down the road. What he needs is an advocate representing his best interests and who understands the amount of compensation needed to make things right. The laws are complex and change frequently. Insurance companies and injured workers often have different interests. If you don’t have a knowledgeable, experienced legal representative in your corner, it could be a recipe for disaster.  

 

Logging & Truck Cutting

 

Logging and Tree cutting is America’s deadliest profession. Common logging hazards are falling objects, typically tree limbs, debris, falls, crane accidents, fire/explosions, heavy equipment/ misuse of equipment. These hazards often cause injury or death. Tree falling is the most frequent cause of death from logging. Unfortunately, workers can have injuries from head to toe. The most common injuries are on the lower body parts and hands. Injuries can range from, brain, back, neck, fractured bones, paralysis, amputation, disfigurement, and even wrongful death.

 

Safety Protocol

Due to Logging and Tree cutting being the most dangerous and fatal job, The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires and enforces strict safety regulations. Failure to follow OSHA regulations can result in negligence in the work environment and possible injuries or death.  


According to the CDC, occupational injuries and deaths among loggers are summarized by the following factors for risk:


-Geography
-Age (older loggers being at the highest risk of disabling injuries, younger loggers lack training, experience and knowledge)
-Equipment integrity
-Training & Retraining
-Behavior of workers
-Protective Equipment

 

While a lot of factors can contribute to an injury and various laws may or may not come into play, it is always best to have an advocate on your side who understands the law and has represented loggers successfully in the past.

Getting Help You Need

 

If you’re a logger, remember, workers’ compensation laws are there to protect you if you’re injured on the job. At the Law Office of Susan Mager, representing injured workers is all we do. We never represent logging companies or their insurance carriers. Schedule a no cost consultation to better understand your legal rights and responsibilities under Georgia law. Approximately 5,000 hard working individuals in the United States are injured or killed from logging and tree cutting accidents each year. They deserve justice. If you’ve been hurt in the logging industry or any other job, our passion is helping you receive the justice to which you’re entitled. Let’s bring it!