Cherry Injury Law RSS Feed
Construction sites are full of hazardous conditions and all too often, construction workers are injured on the job in Philadelphia. A recent example of this occurred at Temple University in North Philadelphia earlier this month. According to reports, the construction accident occurred when part of the fifth floor of a building under construction collapsed, leaving several workers trapped and injuring one.
A student who witnessed the accident said she heard a crash and looked up at the building to see that a collapse had occurred. At that point, students were told to get out of the area, she said. The building is located at 12th Street and Polett Walk near Cecil B. Moore Avenue and houses the university’s Science, Education and Research Center.
Rescue workers arrived on the scene quickly and used a ladder truck to reach the stranded workers. They were also able to reach and treat the injured worker. City officials did not provide any details on the construction worker’s condition, though they did say his injuries were serious but not critical. He was taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment.
Anytime a construction worker is injured on the job it has the potential to be life-changing. Construction workers depend on their bodies for their livelihoods so one serious injury can be devastating. Some of the most common injuries that result from construction accidents include crushed limbs, back injuries, paralysis, electrocutions, broken bones and head injuries.
Even though many construction companies see their workers as their most valuable resource, they sometimes still do not enforce safety measures to keep their workers safe. When this happens, a negligent construction company could potentially face liability in a personal injury lawsuit filed by the injured worker. Alternatively, the injured worker could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
Source: NBC 10 Philadelphia, “Construction Accident Strands Workers at Temple University,” Dan Stamm, July 11, 2013