If you or a loved one has experienced an injury on the job, Pennsylvania law guarantees certain financial awards under the right circumstances. You can use the money to pay medical bills, maintain your quality of life after injury and make up for lost wages. It’s critical for injured manufacturing workers to know the damages they are entitled to under Pennsylvania law. Below are some of the most common manufacturing injuries that impact Pennsylvania workers and qualify them for benefits.
Falls and slips
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports nearly 700 fatalities per year resulting from slips and falls in the workplace, plus many more injuries. Spills, adverse weather and snow are frequently the culprits. Manufacturing workers injured on the job can and do receive workers’ comp benefits for these types of injuries.
Contact with harmful substances
In nearly all circumstances in which manufacturing employees come into contact with harmful chemicals, industrial materials or other substances known to harm human health, Pennsylvania law provides for legal compensation. Examples of harmful materials include benzene, asbestos, ammonia and mercury.
Repetitive motion
You’ve probably heard of repetitive motion injuries in the context of carpal tunnel injuries to office workers who must type routinely at work. However, repetitive motion cases can be applied to any occupation that requires the performance of the same movements over and over, including manufacturing jobs like factory work.
What expenses does workers’ compensation cover?
Any financial burden that can be associated with an on-the-job injury is eligible to be paid by the employer. Examples include all health care related to the injury, such as emergency care, rehabilitation and long-term care. Workers’ comp may also pay for lost wages, death benefits and funeral expenses in case of fatal accidents, and even attorney fees and court costs arising from collecting on claims.
Manufacturing employees who are injured on the job are entitled to compensation from their employer or the employer’s insurer. Claim denials sometimes result in legal disputes, so it’s essential that workers know their rights under state law.
