No one plans to experience a life-changing on-the-job accident. However, injuries happen without warning, sometimes leaving workers unable to pay medical bills, forge ahead in their chosen career paths, or immediately return to a high quality of life. In early April 2019, such an incident happened in western PA to a coal-based generator station employee.
Caught in Heavy Machinery
According to reports, the worker was rushed to a local trauma center after getting his arm trapped in rolling machinery that weighed approximately 13,000 pounds. As soon as his colleagues realized he was caught in the equipment, they took action to care for him as best they could. This type of quick thinking and safety protocol is recommended for all industrial plants where accidents can happen quickly. In this instance, it may have allowed him to get medical attention faster than he might have otherwise.
After the victim had been cared for on the scene and taken for additional attention, medical personnel were unsure as to how long it would take the man to recover. What they did note was that his injuries were serious, as might be suspected given the description of the event.
Crushing and Pinning: Common Work Accidents
Being crushed or pinned inside or between equipment is one of the more common type of work accidents. In fact, becoming caught in or between objects is one of the most frequently reported reasons for worker injuries. Other common accident types include falls, burns, electrocution, repetitive motion injuries, strains and sprains, trips and slips, and being struck by falling items or projectiles.
Workers who experience a serious injury while on the job should immediately seek medical attention and notify the employer about the incident. The worker should also file a workers’ compensation claim to recover costs including hospital bills, physical therapy bills, lost wages, and other injury-related expenses.
Ideally, the employer’s insurance company will accept an injured worker’s claim, allowing the employee to focus on getting better rather than being burdened with worries about paying for expenses. However, some insurance providers deny claims or put significant limits on how much they will pay injured workers. Some even push for workers who have been hurt to return to the job far sooner than they should. In those cases, the workers may want to talk to a legal representative well-versed in workers’ comp law in PA to determine the best next course of action.
Philadelphia Work Injury Lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Seek Maximum Compensation for Workers
If you have been hurt on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits to help with medical expenses and lost wages. Even if your original workers’ compensation claim was denied, we may be able to help. Contact the Philadelphia work injury lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. at 888-PITT-LAW or submit an online contact form today to arrange a free consultation.
We proudly represent injured workers in Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County and throughout Pennsylvania, including those in the communities of Abington, Ambler, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, Clifton Heights, Crum Lynne, Darby, Downingtown, Doylestown, Drexel Hill, Essington, Folcroft, Glenolden, Haverford, Havertown, Holmes, Kutztown, Lansdowne, Media, Merion Station, Morton, Narberth, Norristown, Norwood, Philadelphia, Prospect Park, Quakertown, Reading, Roxborough, Sharon Hill, Upper Darby, West Chester and Wynnewood.
