People who work in dangerous professions put their lives on the line every day, and far too many get seriously injured or even die in the course of doing their jobs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 173 fatal work injuries in 2015 in Pennsylvania. Even injuries that are not fatal may still cause severe losses for workers who find themselves unable to work and their quality of life negatively impacted. Employers should be taking proactive steps to create safer environments for workers and take responsibility for their injuries, but they do not always do so.

Many injured workers are not aware that they have legal rights and remedies available to them beyond workers’ compensation, and that workers’ compensation is actually just one type of claim injured workers in Pennsylvania can make. Anyone injured in the workplace also has the legal right to seek compensation from entities which caused or contributed to the accident.

If you or your loved one has been injured or someone has died from a workplace injury, you may be entitled to seek compensation by taking legal action against an individual or entity that has been negligent or done deliberate damage.  However, your case must be handled properly to ensure you get the settlement you deserve.

The skilled and experienced Philadelphia injury attorneys at Wapner Newman are committed to giving your workplace injury case individual attention. Our personal injury lawyers can provide you with dependable guidance, a listening ear, and strong legal strategies. We have helped hundreds of clients through the years secure the compensation they need to reclaim their future through our thorough and creative investigative legal solutions.

Please contact Wapner Newman today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced workplace injury lawyers.

What are Common Types of Work Accidents?

Section 301(c)(1) of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, 77 P.S. §411(1), defines a “work injury” as any injury, medical condition or disease that is caused by a person’s job. Work injuries include occupational diseases, such as chemical poisoning for occupations that involve the preparation of compounds, and pre-existing conditions such as asthma, that are aggravated by a job.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that industrial jobs and construction work rank among the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. They have nicknamed the top four injuries “The Fatal Four.”

The Most Common Types of Workplace Accidents

  • falling from a height such as a roof or scaffold
  • electrocution and electrical accidents
  • impact from falling objects
  • getting caught between two hazards.

Injuries of this type may occur in…

Common injuries that occur from workplace accidents include

  • fatalities
  • spinal cord injuries with or without paralysis
  • loss of a limb or amputation
  • head/brain injuries
  • broken/fractured bones
  • back injuries, especially of the lower back
  • burns
  • disfigurement
  • nerve damage
  • repetitive motion injuries, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
  • orthopedic injuries.

Diseases can be compensable if they meet certain criteria to determine whether a disease is occupationally related

  • The employee is exposed to the disease by recent employment.
  • The disease is causally related to the employee’s industry or occupation.
  • The occurrence of the disease is substantially greater in that industry or occupation than it is in the general population.

Why go Beyond Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation claims are the most common types of work injury claims in Pennsylvania, but benefits are usually inadequate. While workers injured on the job whose claims are approved will receive medical treatment through the claim, they receive only about two-thirds, or 66%, of their average weekly wage while temporarily unable to work. If the injury goes on long enough, families usually cannot make it without the missing one-third of their wages.

Fortunately, for workers who are seriously injured on the job, there may be additional compensation available if another party is responsible for the injury.   Potential liable parties include employers, contractors, and subcontractors; or there may be a product liability claim against a manufacturer, distributor or retailer of defective equipment involved in the accident. Injured workers in Pennsylvania who file a successful lawsuit may be entitled to receive compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages, on top of workers’ compensation benefits.

Contact Us for Legal Assistance

If you or a loved one was seriously injured or someone has died because of a workplace injury caused by someone else’s negligence or fault, you should contact an attorney experienced in Pennsylvania workplace injury lawsuits as soon as possible.

The seasoned and compassionate Pennsylvania workplace injury attorneys at Wapner Newman offer a free consultation to examine the facts of your workplace injury situation.  We understand the nature of your occupation and the laws and the safety regulations that apply to it. Our unique legal approach helps ensure that no stone is left unturned as we investigate and document every detail relating to your claim and do everything possible to get you the settlement you deserve.

Do not delay. Evidence disappears quickly, and your lawyer will need to investigate your case, get witness statements, and find expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. Contact us online or call our offices today for your free consultation.