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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

County May Be Liable For Injuries

Compiled From Wire Services

Officials at the University of Utah Medical Center say Idaho’s Cassia County may be liable for the medical expenses of a farm worker who lost both arms and one leg in a farm accident at Malta Dec. 13.

Hospital spokesman John Dwan said those bills passed $100,000 as of Thursday afternoon.

Javier Tellez-Juarez, 23, was injured when his clothing became caught in a power post hole digger. He remains in critical but stable condition in the Utah hospital.

Idaho farmers are exempt from the state law requiring employers to carry workers’ comp insurance. Dwan said the hospital is looking into the farm’s insurance plan to see if it will cover any of the hospital bills. The hospital also will see if Medicaid will pay.

If the bill is not covered, the hospital will ask for Cassia County’s indigent fund to cover it, Dwan said.