Canby, Oregon

Canby, in Oregon's Clackamas County, is linked by ferry to neighboring Wilsonville, on the north side of the Willamette River. That may seem like a small point, but since Wilsonville itself was originally founded as a ferry site, it means that the small (six-car) ferry linking the two towns plays a significant role in the history of both. Today's Canby is a small but vibrant city of approximately 16,000 boasting breathtaking views of Mt. Hood and an economy that combines extensive agriculture with modern industry - all of it less than a 45 minute drive from downtown Portland.

Pioneer settlers first came to the area before the Civil War, though it was not until 1870 that Canby was formally laid-out. Another 23 years passed before the city was incorporated. Today, Canby's residents enjoy the best of both worlds - a genuinely rural feel and sense of place, but also a free public transportation system connecting them with the broader Tri-Met network of buses and trains serving greater Portland. The Law Office of Matthew D. Kaplan, located at 50 SW Pine St #302 in Portland, Oregon, serves Canby and its neighboring cities. Mr. Kaplan is a resource for Oregonians who are unsure whether the courts can really give them the justice they deserve.

Canby's combination of agriculture and industry creates a unique set of workplace problems. The potential for Oregon industrial accidents is high. Under Oregon law, an industrial accident can be said to have occurred any time that machinery fails to operate properly because of inherent defects, a lack of maintenance or because the manufacturer or owner did not provide the buyer or user with proper instructions regarding the machinery's operation. We often associate industrial accidents with things like propane explosions, but a quick look at federal statistics on workplace injuries and fatalities paints a much broader picture.

According to the federal government's Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010 "the rate of nonfatal occupational injury and illness cases requiring days away from work to recuperate was 118 cases per 10,000 full-time workers."

A deeper look at the data reveals that:

• Among "laborers and freight, stock and material movers" 2010 saw over 65,000 lost work days
• One-third of these lost days came as the result of "contact with (an) object or equipment"
• Another third was attributable to "overexertion"

Workplace injuries of both these types often fit the definition of an Oregon industrial accident. Surprisingly, the number of days-away-from-work cases nationwide was somewhat lower for trucking - 318.5 incidents per 10,000 workers, versus 430 per 10,000 for laborers and material movers - a profession we generally think of as especially dangerous. Either number, however, is too large. To bring these numbers down it is important that victims and their families have access to attorneys with both the required expertise and the ability to help clients understand their rights and the ways in which the court system can help them.

The Law Office of Matthew D. Kaplan is just such a resource. Mr. Kaplan offers skilled assistance to families pursuing Oregon and Washington wrongful death and industrial accident claims, putting his detailed knowledge at the service of clients. Call (503) 226-3844 to make an appointment for a free initial consultation.

The Law Office of Matthew D. Kaplan is conveniently located at 50 SW Pine St #302, Portland, OR 97204.

Resource:

Bureau of Labor Statistics news release: Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work, 2010