Agriculture Injuries and Fatalities on the Rise in Kansas and Missouri

As Kansas City Workers Compensation Attorneys we know that your job is dangerous and hope that you are always going an extra step to make sure you are doing your job safely to prevent injuries in case of accidents.

Grain bin accidents are rare, but deaths by employees who “walk the grain” are unfortunately becoming more common.

Walking the grain is when employees are sent into grain bins to free the grain that has clumped together or is sticking to the sides.  Employees use shovels or pickaxes to break the clumps apart so the grain can fall to the bottom of the bin for loading. But when the grain is freed, it can act much like quicksand — swallowing workers, plugging their airways with grain and ultimately suffocating them.

As recently as Nov. 10, Glenn Seba, 19, was trapped in grain up to his neck at Lathrop Feed & Grain in Lathrop, Mo. He was lucky. Rescue workers freed him after an hour of digging.

According to a study by Purdue University, most victims are boys or young and many of the deaths last year occurred on family farms not covered by federal safety rules.

Since the study was released, the National Grain and Feed Association developed numerous training materials around engulfment and emergency rescue.

Unfortunately, grain suffocation deaths reached an all-time high of 26 last year. Experts say, however, that nearly every death could be prevented if bin operators adhered to simple, safety precautions, such as providing workers with a safety harness.

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury in a work related accident in Kansas or Missouri, you and your family may be entitled to compensation for your losses. The road to recovery can be difficult, which is why you need someone in your corner you can trust. Call our experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys today. With over 15 years of experience in Work Related Injury Accident and Workers Compensation cases, we might be able to help you through this difficult time.

Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys to set up a free consultation to discuss your personal injury claim. You can get started today by ordering our free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Workers Compensation in Kansas and Missouri". We want you to know your rights.