How Can I Determine if I Was Exposed to Asbestos?
Illnesses linked to asbestos fibers can manifest anywhere between 10 and 60 years after the initial exposure. This medically unique latency period can lead claimants suffering from asbestos-related illnesses to wonder if and when they were exposed to asbestos. To determine if you were exposed to asbestos in Williamsport, a...
What Legal Rights Do Asbestos Victims Have?
Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and COPD, often manifest 10 to 60 years after the initial prolonged exposure. Many claimants are retired by the time they begin experiencing symptoms, and nearly all asbestos cases arise well after workers’ compensation claims deadlines and the applicable statute of limitations expire....
How Do You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Employers throughout the State of Pennsylvania – and nationwide – are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. This means that if you’re injured in the course of your work, you can seek recompense through a workers’ compensation claim. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, having...
What Is Asbestos, and Why Is It Dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring compilation of fibers that are resistant to both dangerous chemicals and fire, which made it popular as a means of bolstering safety in the past. Over time, however, the risk factors associated with asbestos outpaced the benefits, and there is now a direct link between...
How workers' compensation can help when an employee dies
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is tragic in any situation. It can be particularly difficult for survivors to cope with losing a family member due to their employment. The deceased employee’s efforts to support the family result in his or her premature demise. The entire family has to adjust to...
Chemical Exposure in the Workplace: 5 Industries at High Risk in Central Pennsylvania
Some jobs are objectively more dangerous than others. They expose people to particularly consequential workplace hazards. Truckers are at risk of crashes on the job, while security professionals could end up injured by a criminal trying to flee the premises. Chemical exposure is a common job hazard that can cause...
The hidden dangers of asbestos: What Pennsylvania workers need to know
Some workers who handle asbestos or have done so previously downplay how dangerous it is. They think because they haven’t fallen ill that they aren’t at risk of developing a medical condition as a result of their exposure. The unfortunate reality for workers exposed to asbestos on the job is...
Why a lawyer’s early help matters in workers’ comp claims
Employees who get hurt on the job are potentially eligible for certain benefits. Workers’ compensation coverage can replace someone’s lost income if they cannot work due to their medical challenges. Workers’ compensation can also pay for necessary medical treatment for injuries or job-related illnesses. Frequently, employees make the mistake of...
Warehouse workers face serious risks on the job
Warehouse workers have important jobs that help to keep the economy moving. They work to fulfill orders, which can sometimes involve heavy lifting or using machinery. These workers face serious hazards while they’re at work. The onus is on employers to ensure the workers have a safe work environment. The...
Can video footage of a work injury affect someone’s benefits?
If a Pennsylvania employee gets hurt at work, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. State law requires that employers who directly hire workers provide coverage. The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation program theoretically helps injured individuals pay for the cost of their medical treatment and cover basic living expenses while...
What if you are in a collision during your work day?
Any car accident can upend a person’s life. When a collision happens during a person’s work day, getting the financial support they need to heal could be even more complex. Thankfully, injured people may be eligible for support, including benefits through the workers’ compensation program. What should you know about...
Who picks your workers’ comp doctor in Pennsylvania?
When you’re injured at work, you have a right to seek emergency care immediately – without regard to any particular rules. Your health has to come first, above all. Once the emergency has passed or if you can wait to see a physician for a few days, however, you need...
What must you prove to file a workers’ compensation claim?
If there is any silver lining for a worker who gets hurt on the job, it is likely that their injury could qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Both those hurt in a specific precipitating incident, like a kitchen fire, and those diagnosed with a medical condition related to their job,...
Amazon’s smart robots still lead to warehouse injuries
There are some people who will tell you, you basically need to be a robot to work at an Amazon warehouse. The shifts are long, and the standards are exacting. There’s little room for error and barely enough time to take a bathroom break. The constant pressure to pack and...
The dangers of workplace chemical exposure
While people think about the risk of workplace injuries due to accidents, workers in many workplaces also face other risks every day. One workplace risk that is common in many different industries is chemical exposure. What should workers know about hazardous substances in their workplace. Employers must prepare workers for...
Five slip, trip and fall hazards in the workplace
Stumbling or falling is a common accident, and many workers become injured as a result of these accidents every year. What conditions could lead to a slip, trip or fall accident in the workplace? What can create workplace slip, trip and fall hazards? You may work every day in an...
What if your job causes hearing loss?
When most people think about work-related injuries and health conditions, they often think about accidents or exposure to dangerous substances. However, many people may not think about the risk to their hearing caused by workplace conditions. What should workers know about work-related hearing loss? How common are conditions that contribute...
3 dangerous types of forklift accidents
In warehouse and production settings, forklifts are a key tool for employees. However, this machinery can also lead to the risk of accidents both for those operating the forklift and for those working around it. What accidents might you experience when working with or around forklifts? Rollovers When a forklift...
4 hidden workplace hazards
Many workplace hazards are immediately apparent: power tools, heavy machinery, toxic chemicals and other risks. However, other risks may go unnoticed in a workplace. What hidden workplace hazards should you be aware of? 1. Sedentary work While many might think that workers who do not perform heavy lifting, work with...
The potential risks of working around pallet racking
Pallet racking allows warehouse facilities to store more within the same floor plan by storing those objects at a height. However, it can also create risks for the people working in those warehouses. What risks should workers be aware of? Pallet racking often requires employees to work at a height....
The dangers of lung disease for construction workers
When you think about work-related injuries in the construction industry, you may immediately think of falls or accidents related to power tools and heavy equipment. However, another danger may be in the air around construction workers throughout their day. What should construction workers know about the risk of lung disease?...
Why are truckers at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders?
When many people think about the workplace injuries that truck drivers can experience, they immediately think about accidents on the road. However, truck drivers can struggle with many other work-related conditions and injuries. One surprisingly common struggle for truck drivers is musculoskeletal disorders. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health...
What is a “specific loss”?
In some cases, workers’ compensation benefits allow workers to take time away from work to heal after a workplace accident. Sometimes, though, workplace accidents or work-related conditions have a permanent impact on your ability to use one or more parts of your body. How does Pennsylvania address these “specific losses”?...
What steps can you take after a denied workers’ compensation claim?
When you applied for workers’ compensation after an injury, you hoped to rely on those benefits to support you and your family while you recovered. As a result, opening a denial letter can leave you uncertain about the future. Is there any way to push back against a claim denial...
4 potential risks of forklift operation
Many warehouses depend on forklifts to move and carry products and to decrease the amount of heavy lifting that employees must do. However, while forklifts may ease the risk of some injuries, they can also bring new hazards into an employee’s daily work. What risks might workers experience while operating...
Can you receive workers’ compensation after a car accident?
Workplace injuries can come in a variety of forms. Slips, trips and falls can occur in almost any setting. People working with heavy machinery may risk other injuries like electrocution. Repeated motion can create strain over time. In the United States, transportation-related injuries are common workplace accidents and are the...
4 common injuries experienced by warehouse workers
Especially as online shopping becomes more common, many workers find employment in warehouses. Unfortunately, work in the warehouse industry is dangerous, and some examinations of the data around workplace injuries indicates that warehouses have a higher than average rate of fatal injuries. What injuries commonly impact warehouse workers? 1. Motor...
What to know about suffering a back injury at work
When you work a job that requires a lot of physical labor – whether in construction, manufacturing, shipping operations or even healthcare – you likely end more than a few days with a sore back. However, what happens if your back goes out while you are at work? Or you...
Lifting injuries can put healthcare workers at risk
Nurses and doctors dedicate their careers to helping others heal. However, workplace injuries can put them in a position where they need to heal before they can continue that work, and a particularly common source of injury is lifting in the workplace. What should healthcare workers know about these injuries?...
Bezos commits to reducing injuries among Amazon workers
In recent years, Amazon has come under fire for allowing tough working conditions at the company’s warehouses. First, reports surfaced that employees had to pee in soda bottles to meet production goals. Then, workplace safety reports revealed that injury rates are higher at Amazon fulfillment centers than at other warehouses....
What if I’m injured in a crash while driving on the job?
Every day, hundreds of delivery drivers and truck drivers transport goods across town, across the Keystone state and beyond. Some drivers decide to pick up some extra money by driving for Uber or Lyft or work for a taxi service. Some employees have to drive to meet clients or from...
What if my workers’ compensation claim is denied?
When you file a workers’ compensation claim after suffering a workplace injury, you expect your benefits to come through. You may check your mailbox each day, hoping to see what compensation you will receive as you recover. But then, instead, you receive a notice that your workers’ compensation benefits have...
What should I know about seeking medical help for a work injury?
Suffering an injury at work is frustrating. If you work in construction, you could hurt yourself while using a defective tool. If you work in manufacturing, you could suffer a shoulder or wrist injury after performing the same task, again and again, for years. For those in healthcare, they often...
What if I suffer a repetitive stress injury at work?
When you work hard in construction, manufacturing or at a warehouse, you put a lot of strain on your body. Maybe after spending years working in an Amazon warehouse facility, your back aches in pain from lifting and moving so many boxes. Or if you work on an assembly line...
Amazon employs more seasonal workers in PA
Amazon recently expanded its payroll to include more than 6,000 seasonal workers across Pennsylvania to help with distribution, transportation and order shipments over the holiday season. Apparently, the expansion for seasonal workers is an initiative across the United States and Canada to keep up with the increasing demand for gift...
Medical staff still face injuries in hospitals
Healthcare workers are especially important in current times, and most of them are dedicating all their time to take care of others. It makes sense that they might put aside their own health to prioritize the wellbeing of their patients. Unfortunately, many nurses and medical professionals are at risk for...
How automation is causing more injuries for Amazon
Amazon is always verging on the cutting edge of its industry with new practices, new approaches to distribution and new ways to break into different markets. However, one of their new tactics for automation is causing problems for their warehouse employees. According to a recent report from TechCrunch, Amazon invested...
The dangers of returning to work too soon after an injury
Many warehouse workers depend greatly on their income to feed their families, maintain a roof over their heads and even fund their true passions outside the workplace. They may even rush the recovery process after an injury to return to work faster. However, there are significant consequences for rushing the...
The dangers of burnout among warehouse employees
Most warehouses and distribution centers rely heavily on their employees to meet certain goals and quotas each day. And as online shopping grows in popularity, the stakes get higher for most of these workplaces. It puts many workers in a tough position as they have to work faster, longer and...
Does a car accident on the job mean workers’ compensation?
Many occupations require employees to drive from one site to another. Whether it’s to help with distribution, lend a hand for transporting goods or just to bring you from one job site to another job area, driving can be a necessary part of your job. However, what happens if you...
Does hearing loss qualify under workers’ compensation?
Many adults experience hearing loss over time from natural causes, such as aging. Even technology is working diligently to make it easier for aging adults to address hearing disabilities early on with hearing aids, special headphones and other listening devices. However, there are ways to accelerate the healing loss process...
Four external factors that cause injuries in warehouses
Most people blame themselves when they are injured at work. They assume they mishandled equipment incorrectly or took inappropriate actions that eventually caused a risky situation. However, there are external factors on the warehouse floor that increase the likelihood of work-related injuries. It’s critical for employees to know these factors...
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court makes major decision surrounding retroactivity
A Workers’ Compensation case, Dana Corporation v WCAB (Smuck) handled of Shollenberger Januzzi and Wolfe caused huge waves where the Pennsylvania Supreme Court analyzed the question: “Should there be retroactive effects if a statute is struck down as unconstitutional in a previous decision?” The implications of the case reach outside...
Three accidents that warehouse workers see daily
Most people have negative connotations with Amazon warehouses due to the countless headlines surrounding employees’ treatments and injuries across the United States. However, most people underestimate exactly how many accidents happen on the warehouse floor. Between dangerous equipment, shifting work environments and distracted co-workers, accidents happen almost every day. Some...
Specific risks for delivery drivers
Recently, delivery drivers have become critical due to their ability to deliver groceries, household commodities and other necessary goods to people and stores alike. However, with more delivery drivers on the road, it’s important to point out the potential risks that come with the position. Most drivers perform multiple duties...
Three questions to ask before returning to work
Most employees feel different types of pain after a work-related injury. They feel the physical pain from the incident itself, the emotional pain of leaving work and the financial pain of medical treatments and reduced incomes. It makes sense that many employees try to return to work as soon as...
The long-term effects of knee injuries at work
Most warehouse employees are fully aware of the physical demand of their job, and they may even feel the physical demands on their bodies. Unfortunately, most of the demand affects the lower body, including the knees. There is a chance where retired or experienced warehouse employees decide to replace their...
A fall at work could lead to falling back in your career
Many employees know the risks that come with working a warehouse floor. You must be diligent about safety protocols, other staff members’ actions and potential hazards in the workplace. However, there are situations that you can’t anticipate like falls. Falls are a significant portion of worker injuries across the country....
Amazon warehouses have more injuries than industry standards
A recent investigation found Amazon warehouse employees are experiencing severe injuries, especially in the Fresno fulfillment center in California. The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates over 300 work-related injuries at one warehouse – almost triple the national warehouse industry standards. According to Lake County Record-Bee, the Fresno center...
The most dangerous pieces of workplace equipment
Industrial equipment makes most workers’ lives easier because it lifts, transports and cuts materials into manageable chunks. It’s incredibly convenient for industrial or warehouse employees. However, machinery also is terribly dangerous if misused or defective. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), some of the largest hazards for...
Five largest distractions for warehouse workers
Employees in warehouses dedicated a significant amount of time each day to ensure the product is moved and distributed to the proper areas across Pennsylvania – even throughout the United States. However, warehouse workers are still susceptible to distraction like other staff members. But there are more considerable consequences if...
Violence against healthcare workers increases
Healthcare workers sacrifice their time and energy to help people around the country. Doctors and nurses work long shifts to ensure their patients get the best treatment and receive the proper care they need. However, medical staff is more likely to be suffering from emotional trauma and physical assault due...
An employee applied for workers’ compensation in two states
A bridge worker went beyond the standards of traditional process and applied for workers’ benefits in two states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, after they injured their hand while working on the bridge that crosses the states’ borders. The case is unique because the worker injured their hand during the improvement...
What can I do if my workers’ compensation claim was denied?
It is difficult enough to be injured in an accident at work. It can be especially disheartening when your worker’s compensation claim is denied, but do not lose hope. If your claim is denied, you can take steps to appeal the denied claim. However, it is important to understand ahead...
What to do after a car accident on the job
Driving for work or owning a company vehicle certainly has its benefits. However, driving on the job also comes with great responsibility given the risk involved. Car accidents are unfortunately part of being on the road. When you are involved in an accident in which another driver was at fault,...
Can I receive workers’ compensation for my psychological illness?
Some job requirements include stressful tasks. Perhaps after years of working, you begin to experience drastic symptoms related to your deteriorating mental health, and you believe that your worsening mental state is a direct result of your workplace. The state of Pennsylvania works to compensate those who experience mental health...
As the need for nurses increases, the profession’s appeal declines
Nurses face daily battles to keep up with the demand for their services. Today, there are more Americans over the age of 65 than any other time in U.S. history. By 2030, there will be an estimated 70 million people over the age of 65. Of that population, many will...
Dangers of silica dust (part 1): Who’s at risk?
Industrial workers, construction workers and miners are exposed to all kinds of hazardous substances on the job. One of the most common is silica dust. With particles 100 times smaller than sand, silica can readily enter the lungs and cause permanent damage, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)...
What every nurse should know about needlestick injuries
Nurses face all kinds of occupational risks: heavy lifting injuries, exposure to biohazards, increased stress and fatigue from overwork, and even violent patients, to name a few. One of the biggest dangers they face on a daily basis, however, is needles. Nurses have the highest rate of needle pricks among...
The dangers of night shifts for medical workers
Shift work is a way of life for many in the medical field. Emergencies happen around the clock. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals rarely have the luxury of working 9 to 5. For many, shift work has benefits: more flexible hours, the ability to work part-time and longer...
No workers’ comp for Uber drivers: A look at an alternative
Life as an Uber driver has pros and cons. On the one hand, drivers have the flexibility to choose when they’re on the clock and how much they want to work. For some, it’s a side gig providing extra cash for a rainy day fund. For others, it’s a sole...
Can injured employees still get workers’ comp if they fail a drug test?
Employers have the right to expect – and enforce – a drug-free workplace. Illegal drug use raises multiple problems. It can not only impair the employee’s ability to do the job, but also jeopardize their safety – and that of everyone else. After a work-related accident or injury occurs, many...
When can employees get workers’ comp for PTSD?
The question recently came to light in a newsworthy case involving two Microsoft employees. The employees sought workers’ comp for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after serving on the company’s “Online Safety” team, where they were required to view horrific images and videos involving abuse, rape, murder and child pornography for...
Will workers’ comp cover parking lot injuries?
Workers’ compensation provides a safety net for employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. Generally speaking, employees can’t get workers’ comp for injuries that took place while commuting to or from work. A car accident on the way to work, for example, probably wouldn’t be covered. However, not all cases...
Widow wins survivor benefits after husband worked himself to death
Most fatal work injuries result from sudden accidents: vehicle collisions, falls, equipment malfunctions and the like. However, as one case illustrates, job-related deaths can happen out of the blue from something as simple as overwork. Two decades of backbreaking labor The wife of a Pennsylvania worker found herself without a...
Top 3 things you should do after getting injured on the job
Job-related injuries are commonplace in many fields. When it happens to you, however, the accident takes on a whole new dimension. You may feel panicked and in shock. If the injury is severe, you may not know whether you’ll be able to return to work anytime soon – or ever...
Even Dangerous Jobs Qualify For Workers’ Compensation Benefits
People show up to work every day at what are considered dangerous jobs. But are these workers protected by the same workers’ compensation laws as others? The short answer is, yes. Whether you’re a truck driver, firefighter or work in construction, you are entitled to benefits and compensation through your...
Injured On The Job As An Independent Contractor? You Deserve Benefits.
According to Pennsylvania labor law standards, independent contractors are not entitled to employee benefits, which may include worker’s compensation. But if you are injured on the job while working as an independent contractor, there’s a chance that your employment is misclassified and you should be listed as an employee with...
Injured while driving a company vehicle? You likely have a workers’ comp claim.
Whether you drive a delivery van, are frequently on the road making sales calls, operate a taxi, drive a large commercial vehicle or are otherwise behind the wheel due to the demands of your job, you need to be aware of your options should you be involved in a motor...
The types of injuries to which workers’ comp applies
Workers need to know what types of injuries may be covered by workers’ compensation so that they know when to seek this compensation and what they may be responsible for on their own. Generally speaking, workers’ comp may cover the following: – Preexisting conditions that are made worse or accelerated...
Job-related illnesses are harder to prove for compensation claims
Technically, you have a right to seek compensation in Pennsylvania if you get sick while at work because of your job. For example, if the workplace is filled with hazardous materials and you breathe toxic dust for years on end, it could cause respiratory issues that wouldn’t have come about...
We can help you appeal your workers’ compensation claim denial
Scenario: You have suffered a workplace injury. You carefully fulfill all of the requirements necessary to file a workers’ compensation claim. Now, you feel more secure, believing that you will be compensated for your medical expenses and your lost wages. Then, the unthinkable happens and you receive a notice that...
How dangerous is popcorn lung disease?
It is hard to believe something as delicious as popcorn can pose hazards to a person’s health, but sadly, it is true. Workers employed in industrial settings in which flavored microwave popcorn is manufactured can suffer from serious health conditions. These illnesses occur by inhaling the chemicals used to make...
Are illnesses covered by workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation will not cover every little ache or pain employers may experience, but this type of employer-provided insurance can cover many serious illnesses. The key factor that decides if an illness is covered is whether it is work-related or not. As workers’ compensation exists to assist those who were...
Can I sue my employer for my work injury?
Unfortunately, workplace accidents in Pennsylvania occur all too often, leaving the state’s workers injured, disabled or even dead. When these accidents occur due to an employer or co-worker’s negligence, it is even more tragic as the accident likely could have been prevented. Many industries in Pennsylvania and elsewhere may have...
Will workers’ compensation cover heat related illnesses?
It is the middle of summer and the heat is definitely on in Pennsylvania. During the warm seasons when temperatures can soar into the high 90s or even the 100s, heat related illnesses start to make their appearance. This is so for everyone, and those performing their work tasks are...
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation 101
Being seriously injured on the job sounds frightening, and it is. Often, the first thing injured workers think about is whether or not they will have to miss work and how they will care for their families. Workers’ compensation is the answer to the latter part of that equation, and...
Coal industry allegedly stalls black lung disease benefits
Black lung disease remains a health risk for Pennsylvania coal miners. Statistics from the federal Department of Labor show that black lung disease killed over 70,000 workers from 1970 to May 2013. Historically, the disease has killed more miners than cave-ins and explosions. The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety...
Pennsylvania employers required to post worker safety notices
Employers in Pennsylvania are legally obligated by state and federal laws to inform employees about workplace safety and the availability of workers’ compensation insurance for injured employees. All workplaces need to have a poster in a visible location that explains the rights and obligations of workers as mandated by the...
Many eligible workers fail to file for workers’ compensation
Pennsylvania workers may be interested to learn that on March 4, the Labor Department released a report charging that the workers’ compensation system is inadequate and is a contributing factor in the growing gap between the rich and poor. According to the report, an on-the-job injury affected workers’ earnings for...
Dangers of silica exposure in Pennsylvania workplaces
Natural stone countertops are extremely popular, resulting in the employment of many in the associated manufacturing, finishing and installation industries. Workers whose regular employment involves working with natural stone have a heightened risk of developing serious health problems through exposure to silica. They should thus take preventative measures in order...
Pennsylvania road construction flagger hit, killed while working
Law enforcement authorities have reported that a woman who was working as a flagger in Perry County was hit by a car and killed while she was on the job on Feb. 11. Reportedly, the accident occurred near Duncannon. According to law enforcement, the 52-year-old woman had parked her vehicle...
Telecommuting and workers’ compensation
Pennsylvania residents may be unaware that workers’ compensation coverage may be available to workers who work a portion or all of their jobs at home. In the event an injury happens while they are completing tasks in the course of their employment, they may be able to pursue a claim...
Asbestos-related disease statistics
Although many people in Pennsylvania may have heard of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, they may be unaware of the extent of the problem asbestos poses worldwide. A commonly-used material, the substance is carcinogenic to humans and causes the deaths of 107,000 people worldwide from its effects every year. Exposure...
About Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits
The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation program is designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who suffer an injury while on the job or who become sick due to their work environment. However, the complexity of the claims process sometimes makes obtaining all of the available benefits a challenge for an injured...
What workers’ compensation benefits are provided in Pennsylvania?
By law, most Pennsylvania employers must carry workers’ compensation in the event any employee incurs a work-related illness or injury. Under the insurance claim, workers may be entitled to receive certain payments based on the severity of their workplace injury or illness. Under workers’ compensation, eligible employees receive payments for...
Who is covered under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act?
One of the most significant concerns a worker may face if an on-the-job injury occurs is whether the incident is covered by workers’ compensation insurance. In Pennsylvania, a majority of workers are covered, even those who are employed part-time or in seasonal positions. There are some exceptions to the state’s...
Understanding the workplace safety rights of federal employees
Pennsylvania federal employees may be interested in some information about their rights regarding workplace safety. Federal law grants these rights and sets specific requirements for federal agencies. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, these federal agencies have to meet certain standards for employee safety. OSHA says that these...
Court ruling grants injured employee workers’ comp benefits
According to an August 11 ruling by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, Vitas Healthcare Corporation was ordered to pay a past employee workers’ compensation benefits for injuries he suffered even though the employee had declared to his manager that he was quitting his job. Information from the court ruling showed that...
High court rules legal status does not affect workers comp
Immigration issues are a hot-button topic around the country, and the highest court in Pennsylvania has weighed in on the subject of immigration as it relates to workers’ compensation benefits. The ruling concerns a claim filed after a South American immigrant filed for benefits following a workplace accident in July...
Turnpike worker killed, another injured
An 8 a.m. accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on June 1 resulted in the death of a construction worker and injury to another. A tractor-trailer entered a lane that had been blocked to permit workers to do repair work. Police are continuing to investigate the accident that closed the highway...
OSHA fines oil company in connection with refinery explosion
Pennsylvania workers may be interested in recent news regarding a 2013 explosion at a Mississippi refinery that left one worker dead. On April 24, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration released its findings to a month-long investigation into the explosion and fire at Chevron’s Pascagoula refinery on November 15. OSHA...
School worker injured in incident with student
A Pennsylvania school worker was knocked unconscious on March 21 after he was reportedly attacked by a student. The workplace injury happened at John Bartram High School, which is on South 67th Street in Philadelphia. According to authorities, the worker and a student exchanged words while students were changing classes....
Pennsylvania foundry fined for repeat safety violations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations to Domestic Casting Co. LLC for 26 safety violations at its foundry in Shippensburg. The citations follow a complaint and subsequent inspection of the facility in August 2013, at which time the inspector found violations similar to some that the company...
Trooper qualifies for workers’ compensation
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of a state trooper who sought workers’ compensation benefits after a fatal pedestrian accident. Originally, the Commonwealth Court and Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board denied benefits to the trooper, saying that dangerous situations should be expected in his line of work. The Supreme Court,...
Lawmakers seek changes to black lung benefits program
Lawmakers are working on a piece of legislation that will help overhaul workers’ compensation for black lung, a condition that affects many Pennsylvania coal miners. The program was started in the 1960s to help coal miners who suffered from the disease unique to the occupation. Advanced black lung is a...
Computer problems slow down workers’ comp claims
An update to a government computer system in Pennsylvania has brought the workers’ compensation system to a stop. The new system was supposed to improve and overhaul the process for filing workers’ compensation claims, but the new system seems to be having the opposite effect. Problems range from the inability...
Workers in D.C., Pennsylvania seek money after 9/11
Some emergency workers in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., are pursuing legal claims and health benefits similar to those that their New York counterparts received after the Sept. 11 attacks, federal officials say. Federal reports listed at least 91 people who claimed they were injured on the job at the two...
Coal miners’ widows finally receive benefits
Pennsylvania residents may be interested in a ruling that occurred in a Richmond, Virginia court, in which changes in health care reform will allow widows of coal miners to receive benefits. Originally, widows were unable to receive benefits unless they were able to certify that their husbands’ deaths were caused...
Pennsylvania: No Vested Rights in Pay Increase For Workers
Pennsylvanian workers’ compensation judges, considered management-level government employees, have recently gone to court regarding raises that were given to them and then later rescinded by the government. A three percent raise was instituted in March of 2008 and then recalled in Dec. of 2008 due to difficulties with the state...
On-the-job safety needs national improvement
Pennsylvania residents know that May Day and, by association, the entire month, is connected with the rights of workers around the globe. Employees in Bangladesh, for example, seek justice after 400 individuals died when a building collapsed. Other workers look for benefits, increased money or better conditions at their jobs...
Disney contractor fined $60,000 after worker hurt
Employers from Pennsylvania to California are considering the implications after a contractor for Disney was fined almost $61,000 by Cal/OSHA on April 19 after they violated a number of safety rules. A 37-year-old contractor sustained broken bones in Nov. 2012 while working on the Space Mountain attraction when the ropes...
Most Pennsylvania employers see worker’s comp rates fall
Pennsylvania has just reduced the rate that employers are required to pay for worker’s compensation. The rate decreased by 4.01 percent, effective beginning April 1. It is good news for employers in the state. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance, employers will save an estimated $110 million in annual...
Employer faces charges over disputed Social Security funds
The 53-year-old owner of a business headquartered in Pennsylvania faces allegations of failing to provide worker’s compensation insurance for employees after a 57-year-old employee had a finger cut off on the job. When he tried to have worker’s compensation pay for his medical expenses, he discovered that the company no...
Fatal workplace injuries reported at Pennsylvania coal company
CONSOL is a mining company based in Pennsylvania considered by many to be among the safest coal-mine operators in the country. Despite a better track record than most, however, CONSOL had three workers fatally injured on the job over a period of four months with two of those deaths occurring...
Some injuries that keep workers down are emotional
It has almost been two months since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary shook the world. While hearts everywhere were broken by the deaths of the 20 children and six adults, those who were not directly connected to the victims can’t know the pain that family and friends are going...
Police work is getting safer in the United States
Many assume that working as a police officer is one of the most dangerous professions. But safety efforts to protect officers throughout the United States have apparently paid off, according to numbers of police fatalities that occurred this year. Certainly there are still risks that officers face when they are...
Officer’s push-up injury classified as work-related
An appeals court in an out-of-state case recently awarded a police sergeant who was forced to do pushups in preparation for a fitness test more than $12,000 in workers’ compensation benefits. The somewhat unique case could have far-reaching implications for companies across the country. The Post-Crescent newspaper recently reported on...
Man fired for cause also denied workers’ comp
A recent ruling in Pennsylvania denying an injured man workers’ compensation benefits should leave many people scratching their heads about how well workers are treated. The man was fired from his job after it was discovered that he had a loaded weapon inside a company vehicle, and his benefits were...
Pennsylvania Company Cited for Workplace Hazards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently cited a die manufacturer in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania for 14 safety violations, 13 of which are considered serious. Danco Precision Inc. faces $55,000 in proposed penalties for the assorted workplace safety violations. The company employs about 40 workers who manufacture dies, electrical magnetic...
Recent Court Decisions Impacting Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp – Part 2
Last week we discussed two recent Pennsylvania cases dealing with workers’ compensation issues. This week we will highlight two additional decisions. In Rhonda Walker v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board a worker fell at work and injured her nose. This resulted in the woman having a slightly crooked nose, and the...
Recent Court Decisions Impacting Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp – Part 1
So far in 2012 Pennsylvania Courts have decided several important workers’ compensation cases. We will highlight some of these cases during the next two weeks. One recently decided case is Lancaster General Hospital v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. This case dealt with how a worker’s average weekly wage is calculated....
Energy Plant Workers Received 8 Billion in Workers’ Comp Since 2000
The U.S. Department of Labor has acknowledged that some work environments, such as nuclear power plants and energy powered facilities, pose a special risk to workers. Over the last 12 years, in fact, the risks associated with nuclear energy facilities have resulted in the granting of over eight billion dollars...
Changes at the Pennsylvania Workers’ Insurance Fund
Yesterday the Pennsylvania State Workers’ Insurance Fund (SWIF) announced it would be consolidating two departments. The divisions of claims and field operations will be combined into the new claims services division. The SWIF was created in 1915 and is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. According to...
Pennsylvania Court Rules Subcontractor Has Statutory Employer
In a recent unanimous decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled a subcontractor was entitled to workers’ compensation benefits from the business who hired him. This is a “game-changing” decision, giving many more contractors the right to claim workers comp benefits if they are injured on the job. In the case,...
Pennsylvania man who suffered stroke gets workers’ compensation
A Forks Township, Pennsylvania, man who suffered a stroke while working at a foundry has been awarded workers’ compensation benefits in what’s been called an unusual case. What makes the case atypical is that claims of medical problems such as strokes, heart attacks and psychological illness caused by working conditions...
Pa. heart attack victim gets workers’ comp settlement on appeal
It should come as no surprise that some workers’ compensation lawsuits can be rather contentious. Employers who are unwilling to pay significant amounts of money for injuries suffered on the job may argue that it wasn’t the work or the premises that caused the problem. Some cases are only settled...
Pa. diocese must pay full amount of injured priest’s claim
If you’re injured at work, you have a reasonable expectation that your employer will come to your aid and cover the cost of any medical expenses you incur. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, even in situations where it seems abundantly clear that you’re in need of help. A 72-year-old...
Pennsylvania firefighters may get workers’ compensation for cancer
Workplace accidents that cause injuries like broken bones or serious head trauma are often more easily documented than illnesses contracted in the workplace. But in certain circumstances, workers do contract a work-related medical condition and seek compensation for medical expenses and lost wages that can result. York County firefighters deal...
Accurate logs of workplace injuries help workers attain benefits
When a worker is injured on-the-job, the injury itself is frustrating enough. But workers also have to consider the implications of being unable to work until they have recovered. During that time, the worker may experience some financial challenges due to lost wages and the medical bills. Injured workers can...
Woman seeks workers’ compensation benefits after death of fiancé
Being injured on-the-job can cause a lot of physical and financial problems for the injured worker. In many instances, an injured worker may be entitled to workers’ compensation in order to help cover costs of medical expenses and lost wages during the recovery period. When a worker is killed in...
Former NFL player seeks workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania
There are a lot of things to consider if you are injured in a work accident. Even a minor injury can cause a lot of pain, not to mention that it can force you to miss work while you recover. Some injuries also require future treatment. In the event of...
Settlement Reached in Lawsuit for 9/11 Workers Injured on Site
Tragedy became history on September 11, 2001 when two commercial airplanes were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center towers. Many people were killed in the plane crashes and building collapses that day. The numbers of construction workers, police officers, firefighters and rescuers that responded, worked to free people...
Pennsylvania Man Loses Work Benefits Because of Unemployment
A Pittsburgh man had been working for the city when he suffered a neck injury at work in 1992. Though he went back to work, he couldn’t perform the same duties and was given a different job. He continued working until he was laid off several years later. After leaving...