According to officials from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, an industrial accident at the Tampa Electric Co. power plant led to the deaths of two people and injuries to four more.
The incident occurred the afternoon of Thursday, June 29. Firefighters responded to multiple calls about an explosion at the facility, located in Apollo Beach. According to officials, two injured people had to be airlifted to a hospital in Tampa, while another two were transported by ambulance. Two others were pronounced dead at the scene.
A spokesperson for Tampa Electric Co. said the accident happened in a coal-fired generator close to a slag tank, which is where the byproduct of coal falls after it is burned. The company was conducting some routine maintenance close to the tank when the explosion occurred. The unit was shut down for the rest of the afternoon while investigators sought to determine the cause of the accident.
Workplace accidents can result in lawsuits or workers’ comp claims
If you are injured at work, you may be able to seek benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance or pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
In a personal injury claim, you must prove the defendant (often the employer, but possibly the manufacturer of a product or equipment) was somehow negligent, and that the negligence directly caused the accident leading to your injury. A workers’ compensation claim does not require the presence of any negligence — just that an injury that occurred in the workplace.
It’s important to note that only some workplace accidents lead to personal injury claims. In most cases, it’s best to move forward with a workers’ compensation claim.
For further guidance on what you should do after a workplace accident, speak with a skilled Bradenton workers’ compensation and personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.