A worker suffered serious job injuries at the Sonoma-Marin Fair after he lost his leg below his knee when he stepped in front of a ride that was in operation. According to a CBS News report, the accident occurred the afternoon of June 23, 2010. Officials say the worker's leg was severed. The man is an employee of Midway of Fun, the company that operates the fair.

Officials say the man was not operating the ride called Wacky Worm, a ground-level rollercoaster ride. Authorities are looking into why the employee may have stepped in front of the ride. So far, no evidence of operator error or equipment malfunction has been found. The injured worker was transported to a local hospital for treatment of major injuries.

My heart goes out to this injured worker and his family. He has apparently sustained catastrophic injuries. It is not clear at this point if his severed leg can be reattached. Please keep this worker and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

What Caused this Accident?

Based on this news report, officials are still investigating the cause of this tragic accident. There are still several questions here. Was there a malfunction in the ride? Were all safety regulations followed? Why did the worker step in front of the ride? Did he receive sufficient training for the job? Did his employer inform him of all safety procedures? I trust California Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) are investigating this incident. Usually, it takes weeks or even months for their official report of findings to be released.

Claim for Compensation

Injured workers and their families would be well advised to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled third party claims. Such claims are usually filed against parties other than the employer, such as a negligent contractor, sub-contractor or the manufacturer of a defective or malfunctioning product. Third-party claims are usually worth a lot more than California workers compensation claims, which can be woefully inadequate, especially if the worker has sustained catastrophic or fatal injuries. Seriously injured workers and their families face a great deal of emotional and financial strain due to these types of accidents. The best personal injury law firms will offer injured workers and their families a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation in such cases.

What are the biggest challenges faced by injured workers and their families in the aftermath of a workplace accident?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.