Pennsylvania Workplace Safety
Safety in the workplace is the first step in the reduction of workplace accidents in Pennsylvania. But if regulations were all it took to prevent on the job injuries and accidents, Pennsylvania employees would be injured very rarely. The truth is, both state and federal laws are in place that set strict standards for workplace safety. These rules include requirements for safety equipment; procedures for dealing with heavy objects, machinery or dangerous chemicals; and limitations on how long workers may go without a break. It is the job of the employer to not only adhere to these rules, but also to train their workers in proper safety etiquette and make sure they are aware of the rules and laws that are in place.
Many employers fall short of this responsibility, however. Whether it’s due to pure laziness or is a cost cutting maneuver, these rules very often go un-followed. The end result can be catastrophic, as death or very serious injury, including head or spinal injuries, serious burns, amputations, broken bones, chemical exposure and more can befall innocent employees. Employees hurt badly enough to need time off work were most likely to do jobs requiring physical exertion, including:
- Laborers and freight movers
- Commercial vehicle drivers
- Repair workers and maintenance personnel
- Registered nurses
- Nurse aides, orderlies and attendants
Those injured on the job in Pennsylvania are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim. That right extends regardless of who is at fault for the injury or how large or small your employer may be. In fact, benefits in Pennsylvania covers workplace injuries that aren’t traditionally thought of as accidents, including occupational exposure to disease or dangerous chemicals that builds into a disease over time; a work injury that aggravates a pre-existing injury; and injuries from repetitive motions. Workers’ comp benefits can cover the costs of your medical expenses and replace lost wages.
In most cases, collecting benefit payments means you may not file a workplace accident lawsuit against your employer. However, in some cases, a third party — a company or person that you don’t directly work for — may be partly responsible for the injury. This is especially common in the construction industry, where several subcontractors frequently work together. In that case, you may still file a workplace injury lawsuit while collecting workers’ compensation.
Whether your injury was a simple slip and fall, or involves serious injuries and property damage, Cherry Injury Law can help you. Our dedicated and experienced PA work injury lawyers will do everything possible to get the monetary compensation that is owed to you to help pay for medical bills, physical therapy, loss of work and more.
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