Zoo Employee Falls into Gorilla Enclosure
There is no question that those who work with large animals, especially those that are considered dangerous and unpredictable do an important job that can be very dangerous. Such a situation arose recently when an employee of the A Los Angeles Zoo was hurt when they fell into the zoo’s gorilla enclosure on Thursday.
According to authorities, emergency crews responded to a call from the park that is located at 5333 West Zoo Drive at approximately 8:30 a.m., according to spokesperson Margaret Stewart with the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The Los Angeles Zoo gorilla enclosure is home to Western Lowland Gorillas. Zoo officials say at the time of the incident, the four gorillas that inhabit the enclosure were “still secure in their night quarters behind the scenes.”
The employee, whose identity has not been released, lost his footing on a planter and fell then 15 to 20 feet into the moat of the gorilla enclosure.
Paramedics used ladders ropes and a litter to lift the worker who was strapped to a backboard and lifted him up out of the enclosure.
He was transported to an area hospital for treatment of a possibly broken leg. He is currently listed in stable condition.
It wasn’t immediately known how the employee lost his footing and fell. The incident is still under investigation.
An on-the-job injury can happen for a number of reasons. Some accidents can be attributed to worker negligence or failing to take proper safety precautions while others may be attributed to other reasons such as equipment failure or unsafe working conditions.
An accident that results in an injury that happens on the job can be a cause of real concern because of the potential loss of income as well as high medical costs and even long term therapy and rehabilitation if the injuries are serious. If you have been injured on the job, give our offices a call. We will work diligently for you.
At Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox LLP, we are able to take care of all of your personal injury, and even on-the-job accident needs. In a situation where either you or a loved one has been in an accident, no matter if the investigation is concluded, you need to have a legal team that will work on your side.
When looking for an attorney to represent you, at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox LLP, you don’t have to worry about not having any money up front. You pay us nothing until you collect for your losses. We are here to answer your questions and help you to avoid the pitfalls that can happen even after the accident.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.