Lancaster Factory Accident Lawyer

Benefits for Injured Factory and Manufacturing Workers

People who work in factories and other industrial and manufacturing positions in Lancaster County PA are subjected to repeated stress on their bodies and dangerous working conditions that can lead to significant injuries and disabilities. When disaster strikes, it’s best to consult with a Lancaster factory accident lawyer to make sure your rights are protected.

Factory Accidents in Pennsylvania

Factories are very busy places with many different activities occurring simultaneously, some involving potentially dangerous implements. Some of the most common causes of injuries in factories and other industrial settings include:

• Falling objects
• Slip, trips, and falls
• Equipment malfunction
• Machinery accidents
• Electrical shock
• Chemical exposure
• Fires and explosions
• Loud noises
• Overexertion
• Repetitive motions

If you have suffered any of these injuries in the Lancaster Pennsylvania area, it is important to get the medical treatment that you need right away. To help preserve your eligibility to obtain workers’ compensation benefits, you should also report those injuries to your employer as soon as possible. You should also get experienced legal help, to maximize the benefits you may be entitled to.

What Injuries Do Lancaster Factory Workers Suffer?

Any of the above workplace conditions can cause serious injuries or even death, including death from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “Fatal Four.” Some other very common injuries that industrial workers can suffer in workplace accidents are:

• Shoulder injuries
• Head injuries
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
• Broken, fractured, or crushed limbs
• Amputation of limbs
• Loss of sight or hearing
• Occupational diseases (e.g.,contact dermatitis, cancer, respiratory illnesses, etc.)

These types of injuries can keep factory workers out of work for significant periods of time, resulting in lost wages and costly medical bills. A work injury can also result in substantial emotional and financial stress for the injured worker’s family. If you have suffered any of the above injuries in a workplace accident in Pennsylvania and would like more information about the options available to you, please contact a Lancaster factory accident lawyer.

Our Lancaster Factory Accident Lawyer Explains Your Options for Workers Comp Benefits

The good news for injured workers is that the state of Pennsylvania provides benefits through the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act (Act). The Act covers most workers in the private and public sector including factory workers, who sustain injuries on the job or suffer a work-related illness. A few of the benefits available to injured workers include:

• Wages: Benefits for lost wages generally amount to two-thirds of the injured worker’s weekly pre-accident wage, although this varies according to whether the worker suffered a total disability or a partial disability.
• Medical bills: Covered employees are also eligible for payment of all medical care related to the accident, including medicine, supplies, hospital services, orthopedic appliances, and prostheses. There is no limitation on medical benefits so long as the medical care is reasonable, necessary, and related to the workplace accident.
• Death benefits: In the event that an injured worker dies from his or her injuries, the workers’ compensation program provides Funeral benefits of up to $3,000 to the worker’s family, as well as a percentage of the worker’s salary to his or her surviving spouse and children.
• Specific loss benefits: A “specific loss” is one that affects a particular body part (as defined by the Act), such as the loss of a hand, finger, arm, foot, leg, hearing, eyesight, neck and facial scarring/disfigurement. These benefits amount to two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wages for a certain number of weeks, depending upon the body part.

What to Do after a Factory or Manufacturing Accident

If you have suffered injury in a factory accident, the most important thing for you to do (after seeking immediate medical attention), is to notify your employer of your injury. The Pennsylvania workers compensation program requires that injured workers report their injuries to their employers within 21 days. If they do not report their injury within 120 days, they risk being denied compensation. The second most important thing to do is to contact an experienced Lancaster factory accident lawyer, who will guide you through the workers’ compensation process, represent you before a Workers’ Compensation Judge and maximize your recovery.

Get Experienced Help from a Lancaster Factory Accident Lawyer

Mike Vanasse of Vanasse Law LLC is available to assist you in applying for the benefits you need after a factory or manufacturing accident in Lancaster County. Our worker’s compensation law firm offers personalized service and experienced, compassionate representation in a convenient location just off of Route 30 in Lancaster. To arrange for a free initial consultation, call 717-397-1010 or contact us online.