What to do if you are injured in a workplace accident

By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on January 31st, 2011

Every day, people across the U.S. are injured in workplace accidents, in factories, in retail stores, in construction sites and a myriad of other locations.

They’re injured by defective equipment, unsafe procedures, faulty building designs, vehicle accidents and in many other ways.

And when they are hurt, the most critical steps they can take are getting proper and rapid medical diagnosis and treatment, adequate long-term care and competent legal advice that protects their rights.

One recent workplace accident case in the Philadelphia area involved a construction company employee who was seriously hurt when he fell through an unmarked hole in the roof of a building that was being repaired, according to a story in The Legal Intelligencer today.

The man, who worked as the superintendent for the general contractor on the Stenton Avenue construction site, was eventually awarded almost $3 million for his injuries, which included a broken ankle and regional pain syndrome, the story said.

The incident is far from uncommon across the nation.

According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington, there were 3.3 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in the U.S. in 2009 – the latest year that complete statistics are available.

Those numbers are down from 2008, when there were 3.7 million workplace injuries and illnesses reported, according to the agency. Part of the reduction in cases was due to the beginning of the nation’s economic recession.

But even with the reduction in cases, there are still plenty of debilitating workplace injuries happening every year to workers in all kinds of occupations.

Workplace injuries can be devastating on individuals and families, leading to loss of short-term and long-term income and the potential for permanent physical disabilities.

So what can you do to protect yourself, your interests and your rights if you are injured on the job?

Be sure that you get competent legal help from an attorney who is an expert in workplace law and who has the experience in such cases in the courtroom.

You want to be sure that your attorney knows how to fight for your rights in every venue using every tool available, from the testimony and expertise of medical experts to workplace safety experts and everyone in between.

Here at MyPhillyLawyer, we have handled a wide assortment of serious workplace accidents for our clients, helping them to have the resources to heal and eventually get back to work.

If you are injured in a workplace accident of any type, don’t sign any papers or agreements with insurance companies or your employer before speaking with an attorney about your situation.

If you should be hurt on the job, contact us here at MyPhillyLawyer so we can give you the best legal representation that you can find.

When losing isn’t an option, call MyPhillyLawyer.