The Details:
Fire crews had to rescue two people on Thursday evening, January 19th, from a lift near an apartment complex in downtown Greenville. According to Johnathan Bragg with the Greenville Police Department, officers arrived at 101 Reedy View Drive just before 4:30 p.m. to the District West apartments in response to a 911 call about a lift being on fire.
The two workers were doing routine work on the apartment complex when the arm of the lift they were on touched nearby power lines, causing a fire. According to Bragg, one worker jumped onto a nearby balcony while the other fell unconscious and remained on the lift.
After the power was shut off, Greenville fire crews removed the man from the lift. He was then airlifted to the Augusta Burn Center. According to Tristan Johnson, Greenville Fire Marshal, the second worker was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
A Personal Injury Lawyer’s Perspective:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the two workers and their families as they recover from the injuries in this scary incident. From a human perspective, when an electrocution injury occurs, the lives of all involved are changed forever. Electrocution injuries can often be severe, meaning the injured worker and their family often have a long recovery, which may include surgeries, skin grafting, physical therapy, and counseling. This can place significant psychological and financial burdens on the worker’s family.
As this case exemplifies, workplace injuries can be caused by many unforeseen circumstances. However, while this may appear to be a simple accident, these types of incidents are preventable when companies, equipment manufacturers, and local utility companies coordinate to provide a safe working environment. The injured workers may have a worker’s compensation claim or a third-party claim against the equipment manufacturer, independent safety managers, the general contractor, or even the utility company under certain circumstances. However, the investigation should start almost immediately after the incident to gather evidence and witness statements. In order to receive worker’s compensation, it is important to act fast and immediately notify your employer of your injuries so that you recover the damages you are owed—including medical bills and lost wages. Having an experienced worker’s compensation lawyer and third-party construction negligence lawyer can ensure you complete the investigation and the steps necessary to start the process, getting you your benefits faster.
If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident or a construction-related injury, our worker’s compensation attorneys at the Hammack Law Firm can help you with your claim! Call us today at (864) 766-7108 to receive a FREE consultation—we would love to serve you!
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
