Will workers’ compensation pay for injuries after a crane collapses in Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania – July 7, 2021
A Philadelphia construction site was the scene of an accident near the Penn Museum in University City where a 55-year-old worker was found trapped under a drilling rig. Emergency crews found him breathing, but unconscious and bleeding heavily. He was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. The rig operator was not seriously hurt, but was taken to the hospital for examination. The accident is being investigated by police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Heavy machinery rig operators are susceptible to accidents arising out of unsafe working conditions based on variable surroundings, or building and driving activities in the vicinity. A personal injury accident attorney can work with medical professionals, and other experts to determine damage valuations when catastrophic injury will last a lifetime, or causes fatal injury.
Workplace injury.
The United States Bureau of Labor Data revealed 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private employers in 2018, and 5,333 job-related fatalities in 2019. While improvements in occupational health and safety have led to a decline in reportable incidents over the past several years, workers are still injured, or die at alarming rates. Individuals who have suffered loss after a workplace injury should speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
Safe working environment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was created to ensure workplace safety for employees. If an employer does not take the appropriate measures to make the workplace safe, they can face OSHA sanctions and fines, formal complaints and litigation by employees if workplace-related injury occurs. An experienced worker’s compensation attorney in Philadelphia will take the appropriate actions to recover damages for families and loved ones when a worker suffers fatal injury on the job. They can also initiate formal actions to recover damages for injured workers.
Workers’ compensation.
Workers’ compensation provides benefits after a workplace injury, or illness that includes payment of medical costs for emergency and subsequent treatment; reimbursement of lost wages up to a policy amount; and employer liability protection from lawsuits.
Wrongful death.
A wrongful death attorney can assist with damage valuations within the two year statute of limitations in Pennsylvania. Compensation for wrongful death, or catastrophic injury caused in a motorcycle accident may cover medical bills and expenses; funeral and burial expenses; pain and suffering; loss of income compensation based on life expectancy; and in some cases, punitive damages.
Seek legal counsel.
Injured workers should contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can review the case and devise a strategy to recover damages. Damages can remedy intangible injuries, such as emotional anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and expenses related to lost wages and medical treatment, rehabilitation, employer training when a person cannot return to their previous position, or death benefits when fatal injury occurs. Experienced attorneys in the Philadelphia area can determine “fault” and actions toward a legal proceeding to address any damages and injuries sustained.
PhillyLaw, LLC
2021 Locust St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 515-2050
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/workers/file_complaint.html
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/osh_11072019.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.071.002.000..HTM
