Posted On: July 29, 2011

Crane Operator Injured at Local Shipyard, Construction Worker Killed After Fall

1185416_harbour_of_rotterdam.jpgIn today's Post and Courier there were two separate on the job accidents reported, one of which happened right here in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina when a large crane collapsed on a worker at Detyen's Shipyard. The other occurred a little more than two hours south of the law offices of Howell and Christmas, LLC in Hilton Head, where a construction worker was killed after falling through a ceiling.

Wednesday morning a crane operator found himself in a precarious position after the crane's collapse trapped him inside the cab of the machine. According to reports, the man's leg was pinned under the machine for about an hour. Fortunately for him, his injuries from the job accident were not believed to be life-threatening. North Charleston firefighters and volunteers from the Charleston County Rescue Squad gave the injured worker treatment until they were able free the man and transport him to a local hospital.

Your South Carolina harbor accident lawyers at Howell and Christmas, LLC know that longshoremen and harbor workers’ work is dangerous and often leads to serious injuries and even death. When it comes to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), the Act covers most employees that are performing work that has a traditional relationship to maritime employment. There is also consideration given with regard to where (i.e. the location) the employee was working at the time of the accident. For example: the Act covers those workers engaged in unloading and loading ships as well as those that build, repair and/or dismantle ships. In many instances, employees that provide support to the above referenced work are also covered, however, each case needs to be looked at individually.

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Posted On: July 28, 2011

Music Festival Ends in Tragedy for Mt. Pleasant Women

553723_sasquatch_panorama_2.jpgFor many college students, young adults, and those simply young at heart who love live music, the Summer months are something that have always been made special by the plethora of music festivals that happen all over the country. They provide a way to escape the monotonous day-to-day grind of regular life and go to a place without worry, enjoy the company of other music lovers, see favorite bands, and generally celebrate creativity and music. While these music festivals provide life long memories and entertainment, there have been instances where they have taken unexpected turns and ended in tragedy.

Just this past week, three longtime friends from Mt. Pleasant were caught at the bend in an unexpected turn at their first summer music festival. The group of girls, barely in their 20s, were planning to leave the All Good Music Festival in Masontown, West Virginia Sunday after they packed up their camp, but early that morning a man driving a pickup truck allegedly lost control and charged into their tent.

One of the girls suffered serious injuries and was killed in the accident. One was able to maneuver her hand from under one the truck’s wheels, and escape the scene uninjured. And the third young woman in the tent suffered a broken pelvis and required twelve staples to close a serious head injury. It was reported that the two survivors were waiting in the tent for more than a half-hour for rescue workers to lift the truck off their camp.

Sheriff’s officials in Preston County, West Virginia were able to identify the pickup truck’s operator, but are still investigating the incident and have yet to file any charges.

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Posted On: July 27, 2011

Recent Boat Accidents in South Carolina and Considerations for Those Involved in Similar Incidents

1180383_boats_jpg.jpgLiving in the Charleston area, your South Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys are no strangers to boats, boating, and all the other various forms of water activity. Also, everyone working at the Howell and Christmas, LLC law firm thoroughly enjoy the seafood that comes from our scenic coast and waterways. But, it often is forgotten that a lot of hard work is done by local fisherman to get that fresh, delicious seafood to our local grocers, restaurants, and ultimately our stomachs.

Fishing is an industry that exemplifies the risk-reward philosophy, fisherman take great risks to reap the monetary rewards of their labors. Case in point, late Monday night, around 10:00 p.m., two fishermen were hurt after their fishing boat struck an object and ran into a bank in the Diversion Canal. The Diversion Canal is located in Berkeley County near Cross, South Carolina.

Fortunately one of the fishermen had his cell phone with him at the time of the boat accident and called 911. The Berkeley County Rescue Squad was able to quickly find the crashed boat and two fishermen, as the fisher on the phone stayed on the line and directed rescuers straight to them.

The driver of the fishing boat suffered head injuries from hitting his head against the windshield of the vessel. Thankfully the injury is not life threatening. The article outlining the incident in Wednesday’s Post and Courier did not specify the extent of the injuries suffered by the other fisherman.

While the boat was taken back to the boat landing, the fishermen were transported to a local hospital by Berkeley County EMS. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is looking deeper into the accident.

Continue reading " Recent Boat Accidents in South Carolina and Considerations for Those Involved in Similar Incidents " »

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