Conshohocken Workplace Injury Lawyers

Injured in the Workplace? Talk to a Conshohocken Workplace Injury Attorney Today

Work-related injuries occur daily in the United States. Any workplace can become the site of an injury, and a wide range of injuries can result from work. 

If you’ve been injured on the job in Conshohocken, you may have questions about your options and your legal rights. The knowledgeable Conshohocken work-related injury attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer can help.

Pennsylvania Workplace Injury Statistics

Both the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics collect information on work-related injuries and illnesses each year. In 2023, these agencies reported the following information:

• 115,200 non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses occurred in private businesses.
• 64,300 workers needed time off work, a transfer, or restricted duties while they recovered from their injuries.
• 57 percent of job-related injuries and illnesses occurred in just two work categories: “educational and health services” and “trade, transportation, and utilities.” 
• Other industries with higher rates of injury included construction, manufacturing, natural resources and mining, and government workers. 

Pennsylvania workers suffered injuries on the job at a slightly higher rate than workers nationwide. Pennsylvania’s injury rate was 2.6 cases per 100 full-time workers, versus a national rate of 2.4 cases per 100 workers. 

In 2023, Pennsylvania workers suffered 169 fatal injuries on the job. Transportation incidents claimed 50 workers’ lives in 2023. Slips, trips, and falls were also common causes of fatal injuries. Pennsylvania’s workplace fatal fall rate was higher than the rate in the United States as a whole. Construction workers suffered the highest number of fall deaths of any industry, with 16, over half of the 30 deaths that occurred in Pennsylvania construction in 2023.

Common Causes of Workplace Injuries in Conshohocken

The BLS and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identify four common causes of work-related injuries and illnesses. These are so common that OSHA calls them the “Big Four” risks at US workplaces. 

These common causes include:

• Transportation incidents. Transportation incidents include car accidents, workers injured around vehicles, and other similar incidents.
• Trips, slips, and falls. Falls are a leading cause of death in the US. At work, a fall – especially from a height – can cause serious injury or death. 
• Contact incidents. Contact incidents occur when a worker is struck, pinned, trapped, or otherwise comes in contact with something else, which causes injury. Workers who are hit by falling materials or debris or have a body part pinned in a machine suffer contact injuries.
• Exposure to dangerous chemicals or environments. Exposure to toxic chemicals, dangerous particulates like asbestos, or extreme heat or cold can all cause serious injuries or illnesses. 

Another common cause of workplace injuries in Pennsylvania is violent acts – intentional attempts by one person to harm others. These violent acts may take the form of one-on-one assaults or mass events. 

Common Types of On-the-Job Injuries in Conshohocken

Workplace injuries and illnesses vary widely in their causes and types. As a result, any body part can be affected. Workers’ health can be affected in many different ways. It’s not unusual for a worker to experience more than one type of injury in a workplace accident.

Common serious injuries suffered by workers in Conshohocken include:

• Injuries to the brain, head, face, and jaw,
• Neck, back, and spinal cord damage,
• Nervous system injuries,
• Broken bones, crush injuries, or amputations,
• Damage to internal organs, including internal bleeding,
• Illness from exposure to toxins, extreme temperatures, and similar environments,
• Burns, electrocution, and similar injuries. 

Some types of injuries were more common than others. The state Department of Labor and Industry recorded common injury types, including:

• Skin disorders, like rashes suffered from contact with dangerous materials,
• Respiratory conditions, including both infectious diseases and conditions caused by exposure to toxic chemicals or particulates,
• Unintentional poisonings,
• Hearing loss or damage.

Some workplace incidents produce multiple injuries or illnesses. Seeing a doctor promptly after you realize harm has occurred is valuable. A doctor can document your conditions and prescribe proper treatment. 

Navigating a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Injury Claim

Injured employees can seek compensation from workers’ compensation in many situations. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act requires most employers in the state to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance covers certain expenses when an employee is injured.

Some workers have two claims: one for workers’ compensation and one against a negligent party who caused harm. An experienced attorney can help you navigate workers’ compensation in Conshohocken and get the compensation you need. 

Who Qualifies for Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation provides payments for medical expenses and certain other losses to employees who are injured on the job. To be covered by workers’ compensation, you must:

• Be an employee. Independent contractors are not covered by workers’ compensation. Talk to an attorney if you believe you are incorrectly classified as a contractor when you should be an employee.
• Work for an employer required to provide workers’ compensation coverage. Nearly all Pennsylvania employers fall in this category, including non-profits, unincorporated businesses, seasonal businesses, and places with only one employee. Some employers, like railroad companies and shipyards, may be covered by federal laws requiring them to provide workers’ compensation. 
• Experience a work-related illness, injury, or disease. Workers’ compensation covers medical needs that are linked to work. Self-inflicted harm is not covered by workers’ compensation. If a third party like a customer or patient causes harm, however, workers’ compensation will cover your injuries as long as you qualify. You may also be able to bring a third-party claim. 
• Notify your employer. Tell your employer as soon as possible after a workplace injury or illness. Your employer will start the claims process and give you the necessary information about workers’ compensation. 

Workers’ compensation starts on the date you are hired. Medical benefits are paid starting on the date an injury or illness occurs.

If your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation coverage or does not self-insure, you may be able to seek compensation through the state’s Uninsured Employer Guaranty Fund. An attorney can help you determine if you qualify for this kind of coverage. 

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation includes several types of benefits. These include:

• Medical benefits. Workers’ compensation covers medical costs of diagnosing and treating your work-related injury or illness. Medical benefits are available as soon as the injury or illness occurs. Employers must provide information about your right to medical benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act.
• Wage loss benefits. Wage loss benefits are paid if your injuries or illness prevent you from working again. They are also available if your injuries or illness limit your ability to work so that you make less than you did before you were injured. 
• Specific loss benefits. Specific loss benefits are linked to specific types of injuries. For instance, if you lose the use of all or part of a body part like a finger, hand, arm, leg, or foot, or if you lose the use of your eyes or ears, you may receive these benefits. Some forms of permanent disfigurement also qualify for specific loss benefits. 
• Temporary benefits. Temporary benefits may be paid for wage loss or medical coverage. These benefits are paid for 90 days at most. An attorney can provide more information about how temporary benefits work. 
• Death benefits. If an injury claims a life, the deceased person’s surviving family members can seek death benefits. 

Other Claims After a Conshohocken Workplace Injury

Some workplace injuries result from a third party’s negligence. For example, a delivery driver may be injured when another motorist runs a red light and collides with the delivery truck. A construction worker may be harmed when a hidden defect in a power tool causes the tool to explode in the worker’s hands. A healthcare worker may be assaulted by a patient’s angry family member.

When these situations occur, the injured employee can file for worker’s compensation coverage. The employee can also file a third-party claim. The third-party claim seeks compensation from the person or company who caused the injuries. 

A third-party claim offers certain opportunities. For instance, workers’ compensation does not cover the total amount of wage loss in most cases. Workers’ compensation also does not provide coverage for pain and suffering, damaged or destroyed personal property, or similar losses. A third-party claim can help you recover compensation for these losses. 

Speak To an Experienced Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

Workplace injuries turn your life upside-down. What started as a normal workday ended with pain, fear, and uncertainty. Now, you’re left facing medical bills, a pile of paperwork, and fears about how you’ll support your household or return to your career. 

If this sounds familiar, there is hope. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate your claim, understand what comes next, and protect your legal rights. 

Talk to an experienced Conshohocken workplace injury attorney. The lawyers at MyPhillyLawyer can help you navigate workers’ compensation and secure the help you need to move forward. Reach out to us today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.