More Accidents

In the last two years, Colonial Mechanical Corporation’s 300 plus construction workers have suffered over 100 injuries. Colonial has paid over $1.4 million in workers compensation claims to employees who were severely injured, according to Colonial Mechanical’s own records. In April 2001, another nine workers were injured. According to year to date information, 77 Colonial workers have been hurt on the job so far in 2001, compared to 69 workers who were hurt during the entire year of 2000.

Colonial Mechanical prepared a list that broke down their injuries by type of injury for the dates from April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001. This startling list featured details of a total of 82 accidents, which caused 483 days of lost work. The injuries included chemical burns and inhalation, electrical shock, fingertip amputation, burns, lacerations of knees, arms, fingers, wrist, and the face; sprains, infections, bruises and other injuries.

Some of the lost-work accidents have caused Colonial to be liable for massive workers compensation bills. Colonial Mechanical Corporation has recently paid out $1,432,063 in workers compensation claims. Colonial Mechanical workers have suffered thirteen serious injuries in a recent seven-month period. The sum is bound to grow because some claims, on which $520,280 has already been paid, are still open.

One hapless worker, who suffered injuries to their arms and head, was the recipient of $162,960 in workers compensation payments. Colonial Mechanical had also reserved another $209,340 for that claim. In total, Colonial had another $371,000 in reserve for these outstanding claims. Colonial’s payouts for these workers’ compensation claims had increased sharply, up from $229,539 in the 1999-2000 period to over $585,000 in the 2000-present period.

In the first ten weeks of 2001, Colonial Mechanical workers had already suffered three injuries severe enough to trigger worker compensation payouts and reserves of over $40,000.