Administrative Law Judge Awards Death Benefits to Widow of Oil Field Worker

(An oil field in northern Colorado. Photo credit: freakoutnation.com)

Administrative Law Judge Peter Cannici found that oil field worker Jim Freemyer's death was a result insufficient safety protocols, leading Freemyer to inhale hydrocarbon gases in a low oxygen environment. Cannici ordered Freemyer's employer's insurance company to pay his widow almost $530 for the rest of her life.

The case centered around Freemyer's poor health and safety precautions for "tank gauging," which involves determining various levels of gases in oil tanks. Nine tank gauging deaths have been reported in the last five years, prompting the Center for Disease Control to issue a warning this past April addressing the issue.

Pinnacol Assurance, the insurance company for Freemyer's employer, attempted to argue that Freemyer's Type II diabetes and heart complications were the cause of his death. Judge Cannici was not persuaded, writing "[Freemyer's] job duties and work environment aggravated, accelerated, or combined with his pre-existing coronary artery disease to cause his death on July 14, 2014." 

The immediate effect of the ruling remains unclear, but changes in oil field safety protocol are likely. The attorney for the Freemyer family, Brett Busch, noted that the decision may actually result in fewer claims because the gas industry will adapt to changing social and political viewpoints regarding workplace safety.

"I think the big picture here is not whether more claims will be brought, but hopefully less claims will exist because of better safety protocol." Busch opined.

If you are injured in the workplace, you need to speak with an experienced worker's compensation attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today at (303) 279-0221 for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Colorado Judge Awards Benefits from Weld County Oil Patch Death

Brighton Police Officer Lauded Worldwide for Calming Young Child After Horrific Accident

A Brighton Police Officer has garnered worldwide attention from a photograph depicting him singing a lullaby to a young child, whose father was killed in a car accident on Interstate 76 near Brighton.

Officer Nick Stuck was dispatched to the fatal accident, where he discovered the young girl covered in gasoline and distraught from the crash. The young girl reminded Officer Struck of his own young daughter.

"My daughter, who's the sweetest thing in the world when she falls down and cries, she wants 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' sung to her." said Struck. "So this girl, I was singing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' and pointing to the lights of the fire truck"

The powerful image was captured by Jessica Matrious, who witnessed the crash and stopped to offer help. "He was trying to keep her from watching what was going on behind her," Matrious said.

Police Officers around the country have been heavily scrutinized over the last year as a result of several high profile incidents. Officer Struck's heroics are a welcome sight for many around the nation who recognize that the majority of good police work goes unnoticed by the public.

The young girls siblings and mother were injured. One child is in critical condition on life support. Their mother, Stephanie Greer, has asked for support from the community while dealing with this tragedy.

The family was en route to Colorado from Illinois as the prepared for a cross country move. Greer has since expressed a desire to be in contact with Struck.

"If he hadn't preoccupied her, she would've seen her dad die," Greer said.

To support the family, please visit their donation page here

If you are injured in a car accident as a result of someone else's negligence, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today at (303) 279-0221 or at www.paysingerlaw.com for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Mother recounts accident, grateful to Brighton officer for comforting daughter in viral photo