Omaha, NE — A man working on a garbage truck was injured after another vehicle hit him in an Omaha neighborhood. This accident happened last Wednesday (March 18, 2015) when Robert Pedersen, 18, was riding on the back of an Abe’s Trash Service garbage truck.
The truck was headed down Miami Street near 160th Avenue at about 8:00 a.m. last Wednesday morning when Robert Pedersen jumped off to collect some trash. As he went to get the trash, however, he was hit by a passing Jeep Liberty SUV. The driver of the Jeep, also an 18-year old, wasn’t harmed, but Pedersen was taken to a hospital with major injuries.
At first, he was listed in critical condition, but was later upgraded to serious condition. More details are being released later and the Jeep driver may face charges for hitting Pedersen.
Update: The Jeep’s driver was identified as 18-year old Madelyn Neppl.
Map of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary:
Even though this person was doing his job when the accident happens, that does mean that his rights have been somehow terminated. Since a third party caused this accident (i.e., it was not directly work-related), then that third party can still be held liable for the damage done. If this accident were caused by another co-worker, for example, then it would be considered a “work-related” accident by the law and the only remedy would be applying for workers’ compensation benefits per the employer. Again, since this was caused by a third party, then that at-fault driver would likely be considered liable. As a side note, workers’ compensation benefits will probably still apply in a situation like this, it’s just that a third-party claim is often more beneficial.
— Grossman Law Offices
