The Alaskan Viaduct Transformed
Posted Friday, July 12, 2019 by Chris Thayer
The State Road (SR) 99 Tunnel has been open to the public since February 2019. SR 99 is the result of efforts to transform the Alaskan Way Viaduct into a usable passage for traffic to travel along Seattle’s waterfront. SR 99 is not the first attempt at such a passage, but the result of efforts to revive a previous viaduct riddled with safety issues.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct was opened in 1953 and at its peak allowed for up to 90,000 vehicles to use it per day. However, in the 1960s concerns over the safety while using the viaduct grew, with most concern being for what would happen to those in the viaduct if an earthquake occurred. After research showed that an earthquake could completely collapse the viaduct, investigation began into another option. A tunnel was decided on and construction was to begin in 2013. This construction began, but was halted after machinery needed to create the tunnel was delayed. After more delays in construction, the tunnel was finally opened in February 2019.
The creation of this tunnel has led to $1 million in various workers’ compensation claims. Many individuals who were employed to work on this tunnel were seriously injured. A workers’ compensation claim is a type of remedy available to those who have been injured on the job. An example of an on-the-job accident that led to injuries for these tunnel workers is when an elevator shaft collapsed and the elevator plunged 25 feet with four men inside.
The four men in the elevator are not the only victims of injuries in the building of SR 99. Many other workers sustained chemical burns, were hit by falling objects, and sustained other major and minor injuries. For injuries sustained while working, it might seem like a workers’ compensation claim is the only way to go, but this is not always true.
A personal injury suit may be able to open up more avenues for recovery than the workers’ compensation claim. For example, depending on who the employer is, there are certain guidelines for filing claims. Cases against the government, for example, are governed by their own statutes. Additionally, if the injury is the fault of a third-party, there can be other rules and regulations that might make a personal injury suit the better avenue for recovery than a traditional workers’ compensation claim.
The personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group are here to help you after an injury. If you were injured on the job and have questions regarding what remedies are available to you, we can help. Our experienced attorneys are here to help you recover damages for the injuries sustained due to someone else’s negligence, whether those injuries were sustained on the job or elsewhere. We know that it can be confusing and difficult to sort out the options available to you after an injury. Let our attorneys help quash some of that confusion and get you on the path to recovery. Contact us today for a consultation.