by Bernard D. Nomberg, Partner, The Nomberg Law Firm
On October 1, 2017, 58 people were murdered at the Las Vegas Harvest 91 Music Festival and over 500 were injured in the attack. Those that survived the deadly attack include workers and first responders at the event as well as employees at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, where the shooter was positioned at the time of the attack.
As devastating as the attack in Las Vegas was, it was merely one of many in a string of attacks the past few years. In 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza fatally shot children and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary school. That same year, a shooter opened fire at a showing of the Dark Knight in Aurora, Colorado. Just last year, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida became the scene of a deadly shooting.
Tragedies such as these can have devastating emotional effects for those workers involved. For those that are injured, physically or emotionally, they may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer. Workers’ compensation claims following tragedies such as those in Las Vegas are generally filed when an individual is unable to work or needs medical treatment including psychological care.
The Las Vegas Strip marquees go dark to honor the 58 victims who were killed October 1, 2017. Image courtesy of the Las Vegas Review Journal.
In Alabama, psychological injuries can be compensable.[1] For individuals involved in tragedies, including robberies, bad car accidents, and assault, often the most prominent injury is psychological. If you have been the victim of a tragedy or workplace trauma, you could receive workers’ compensation benefits for any injuries. You must be sure to file your claim in a timely manner, however.
While an employer can help minimize the risk of an injury in the workplace, preventative measures for tragedies are not as easy to prepare for. An employer can do everything right, yet still face terrible tragedy in the workplace. Workplace violence is prevalent, however employers should implement an emergency action plan, outline an evacuation procedure as well as utilize an emergency notification system.
There are many nuances involved in the field of workers’ compensation, particularly when applied to tragedies while on the job. We have handled cases involving work-place assault, murder, robberies, devastating car accidents and catastrophic injuries. While we hope that these events are few and far between, we are here to help in the event they do occur. Let us advise and guide you in your claim and help you get the benefits you deserve.
Bernard D. Nomberg has practiced workers’ compensation law in Alabama for more than 20 years. Bernard has earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer-review rating. He has been selected a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine as well as a Top Rated Attorney by B-Metro Magazine. Bernard is the President of the Alabama State Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Section.
[1] https://nomberglaw.com/blog/workers-compensation/not-just-physical-workers-compensation-and-psychological-injury/