Two men were seriously injured and one man was killed last Friday in a tragic workplace accident at the Baxter International plant in Atwater Village. Two workers were cleaning a tank used to store blood when they were overcome by ethanol fumes. A third worker called 911 and attempted to rescue his co-workers, but also was overcome by the fumes. The worker who called 911 perished in his attempt to help his co-workers.
The Baxter International Los Angeles plant has been operating for more than 50 years, according to the company. The California Occupational and Safety Health Administration notes that the plant had no major health or safety violations, with only one small fine for a minor violation in 2005.
This tragedy reinforces an uncomfortable truth. Accidents in the workplace happen. Workplace injuries are too common, even when following all safety guidelines and regulations. As a law firm that helps work injury victims, we know how frequently injuries at work occur, even of the magnitude seen in the Baxter plant tragedy. If you or a loved one has been injured at work, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today. Our team of workers compensation attorneys can help give injured workers and their families peace of mind.
