Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

According to WPXI.com, a workplace explosion accident occurred at a copper plant in Leetsdale, PA on Tuesday morning, January 11. Three workers were injured.

At about 9:30 a.m., an explosion occurred at the Hussey Copper plant on Washington Street. The blast caused a small fire that was immediately extinguished. Leetsdale Police Chief James Santucci reports the three workers were in a blast furnace area and the explosion was caused when water spilled beneath ingots during the copper-making process. The explosion was minor; however, two of the victims were taken to a local hospital via ambulance for treatment of their injuries. One victim sustained burns and the other a head injury because of the accident. The third person injured was the most critical and was airlifted to a different hospital with burns on roughly 25 percent of his body, with burns to his face, legs, and arms.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 there were 173 workers who lost their lives in explosion and fire accidents while on the job. On average, another 5,000 employees are injured in workplace explosion and fire accidents every year. Injuries sustained in these accidents can be severe, and can include but are not limited to:

• Broken bones and fractures;


• Head injuries;


• Internal bleeding;


• Loss of hearing and sight;


• Muscle damage;


• Severe burns; and


• Toxic gas exposure.

If the proper procedures and safety regulations are followed, and employers properly train workers regarding safety and enforce rules about them, the chances of an explosion accident occurring are small. However, when safety regulations are not followed or enforced, workers are unnecessarily put in greater danger of suffering serious injuries, many of which can be fatal. Pennsylvania workers’ compensation laws are in place to provide financial coverage to injured workers following an injury at work. Unfortunately, oftentimes employers will deny an employee’s injury occurred at work, and it can be difficult for a victim to receive adequate compensation.

If you have been injured in a workplace accident in Pennsylvania, it may be in your best interest to consult with an experienced Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer who can advise you on your legal options and the best course of action for your specific situation. Call 866-735-2792 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys at Anapol Schwartz today.

A Pennsylvania man from Baden was killed when he fell 30 feet down an underground shaft where he was working at a sewage treatment plant in Sewickley, an Associated Press article reported. The man had radioed for help after becoming faint and tried to climb out of the shaft, but fell. Three workers who tried to help the man were hospitalized after they were overtaken by fumes. At the time of the article’s release, it was unclear whether the deceased man’s cause of death was due to toxic fumes or the fall.

Although officials are not sure what type of gas it was that the workers inhaled, emergency crews found a small amount of methane in the area. The plant is owned by the borough of Sewickley and is in the process of getting a $5 million upgrade to the area that the deceased man was working on.

Workplace accidents in Pennsylvania can occur in any profession, but are more common in occupations that require employees to work at high altitudes, around heavy machinery or where there are chemicals or other environmental toxins present. Unfortunately, serious injuries and, in some cases, wrongful death can be the end result of these types of on the job accidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a workplace accident, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced Pennsylvania fall at work injury attorney. Workers’ compensation law is complex and the attorneys at Anapol Schwartz will be able to explain your legal rights and the best course of action. Serious injuries don’t just affect the victim; they affect the victim’s family as well. To learn more about how we can help you with your case, call Anapol Schwartz at (866) 735-2792.

Work has resumed at two Pennsylvania natural gas wells owned by Houston-based EOG Resources, Inc. after the company resolved a blowout at a third natural gas well nearby. Based on an Associated Press report, inspectors from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection examined the two wells but did not find any safety or environmental violations. Several other wells owned by EOG Resources remain closed.

The Department of Environmental Protection ordered work to stop at all three wells after an accident occurred at one well located on the grounds of the Punxsutawney Hunt Club in Clearfield County. On June 3, this well suffered a “blowout,” discharging natural gas and brine into the surrounding air for sixteen hours before workers managed to cap the well. Although the well did not catch fire and no one was injured, EOG Resources was ordered to close down operations until all three of its wells could be inspected.

The blowout consisted of both natural gas and a mixture of sand, water, and chemicals, which are inserted into a well to bring the gas to the surface. These chemicals are dangerous to humans and can kill fish and other wildlife if they are discharged into waterways. The Department of Environmental Protection is also taking water samples from nearby creeks to determine whether the well's discharge has damaged local waterways, but so far no contamination has been found.

Dangerous workplaces like natural gas wells pose risks to workers. Pennsylvania law requires employers to be sensitive to these risks, both by maintaining a safe workplace and by providing workers' compensation to injured employees. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to workers' compensation and to other benefits, depending on the circumstances of your case. The experienced Pennsylvania workers' compensation attorneys at Anapol Schwartz can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call (866) 735-2792 for a free and confidential consultation.

Employees have a right to a safe workplace, even before an injury or accident occurs. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) gives workers the right to a safe workplace. Employees may review safety guidelines and report unsafe conditions either to their employer or to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) itself. Employees may also inform OSHA if they have been discriminated against or harassed at work because they pointed out an unsafe condition.

OSHA complaints can be filed online, on paper, or by calling your regional OSHA office. OSHA recommends calling the regional office if a workplace hazard is creating an emergency or is immediately life-threatening. It may also be wise to call 911 or your local emergency number in this situation as well.

Before reporting a hazard to OSHA, first report it to your employer. Your employer may be able to correct the hazard without delay. Employees can, however, contact OSHA at any time “if they believe there is a violation of a safety or health standard, or if there is any danger that threatens physical harm, or if an ‘imminent danger’ exists.” You can also contact OSHA either before or after a workplace accident occurs.

Preventing accidents on the job in Pennsylvania is one of the best ways to avoid them, and laws require safe workplaces to exist for exactly this reason. If you or a loved one is injured in a Philadelphia workplace accident, however, you have certain legal rights. To discuss your legal rights and options after a workplace accident and take steps to protect them, call the skilled Philadelphia hurt at work attorneys at Anapol Schwartz today. Please call 1-866-735-2792 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported recently that a county clerk who received $21,600 in workers' compensation payments after a PA slip and fall accident at work has had his claim voided by a judge. The clerk, who blamed water on the marble floor of the office building for the slip and fall, suffered knee and hip injuries. He entered into a $25,000 settlement agreement with the county freeholders.

The judge, however, voided the agreement because the county freeholders had voted to enter the settlement privately, in violation of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. The case has led the court to look more closely into previous decisions made by the county freeholders, who, according to some citizens, have been making secret decisions later ratified at public meetings for some time. The county freeholders' behavior is under investigation, as it appears to violate the Open Public Meetings Act. Under the Act, citizens have a right to know what decisions local government makes about workers' compensation payments, as those payments are made out of collected taxes.

The county clerk who was injured in the slip and fall accident had surgery for his injuries, but says he missed only “a day or two” of work and did not need crutches or a cane when he returned.

Accidents that take place at work usually entitle the accident victim to workers' compensation payments from the employer. These payments are meant to help the injured employee with medical expenses and make up for lost wages until the employee can return to work. A skilled Pennsylvania injured at work attorney can help injured employees protect their rights and seek the compensation they need to make a full recovery. If you've been injured while on the job, please contact the attorneys at Anapol Schwartz today by calling (866) 735-2792 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

The Philadelphia Daily News reported recently that a volunteer diver at Adventure Aquarium was bitten in the ankle by a tiger shark. The diver accidentally bumped the shark while climbing on the platform that leads into the shark's tank. The shark retaliated by nipping the diver in the ankle. The diver was treated at the scene and later at a local hospital, receiving several stitches for the bite. He has recovered and has since returned to the aquarium.

The aquarium's director described the shark bite as a “workplace incident” that is not uncommon in aquariums with captive sharks. He said the bite did not concern the aquarium staff because it was not a random, unprovoked bite. Rather, it was the shark's response to being jostled by the diver.

Tiger sharks are a favorite in aquariums for their size and ferocious-looking teeth. Tiger sharks can grow to be ten feet in length and weigh several hundred pounds, with rows of large, jagged teeth. Despite their appearance, however, tiger sharks are not known as a deadly species. Only 29 attacks by tiger sharks on humans have been documented, and only two of those attacks were fatal.

Even unusual workplace accidents generally entitle the injured employee to Central Pennsylvania workers' compensation for their injuries. A third party, such as a contractor, sub-contractor, or a manufacturer of a defective product whose negligence results in an employee's injury may be held liable for damages which the employee may receive in addition to workers’ comp.

Continue reading "Shark Nips Diver in Workplace Accident" »

Some lines of work are just inherently more dangerous than others. Construction sites are always dangerous, but depending on what is being built, the danger can certainly vary. As exemplified by a recent 620-megawatt gas-fired power plant explosion in central Connecticut, the severity of construction site accidents can be great, and can often result in significant personal injury or even workplace wrongful death.

A recent CNN.com article talks about an accident that took the lives of five people and injured at least 12 more. Reportedly, a Middletown power plant that is currently under construction was the site of a gas explosion. Officials from Kleen Power Plant explained that workers were purging a natural gas pipeline when the explosion occurred, but offered little explanation as to what caused the incident to occur in the first place. It is estimated that 50-60 workers may have been at the site at the time of the explosion, and urban search-and-rescue teams were sent in to comb the rubble in an attempt to find accident victims. Middlesex Hospital received 11 accident victims from the explosion, and injuries ranged from minor to more severe, with some patients sustaining broken bones and blunt trauma.

Continue reading "Connecticut Power Plant Explosions Kills 5, Injures 12" »

The structures we work and live in are built to be safe. However, during the construction process, when materials are haphazardly strewn about and a building's frame is exposed, building sites are some of the most dangerous places individuals can be employed at. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of construction site owners and foremen to provide their employees with work environments that are as safe as they possibly can be.

The single most prevalent type of accident on a construction site centers around slip and fall incidents. According to an orlandosentinel.com news article, a construction worker was recently injured after he fell from the second floor of the physical science building at the University of Central Florida. The injured construction worker sustained head injuries and was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment. Reportedly, the building is under construction.

Continue reading "UCF Construction Worker Sustains Head Injuries in Fall" »

A refinery fire in Great Falls, Montana recently resulted in a worker sustaining first-and second-degree burns. In an article by uk.reuters.com, the fire is described as having broken out late one night in Montana Refining Co's Great Falls location. The facility in which the blaze took place is a 10,000 barrel per day refinery, and the fire occurred inside a unit that was being repaired at the time of the incident. According to the article, the fire ignited when propane began leaking past one of the check valves. The cause of the ignition is still being investigated by the Great Falls fire marshal.

The more potentially dangerous a work environment is, the greater the precautions that should be put into place in order to ensure employee safety. In the above mentioned incident, it has yet to be determined whether or not negligent action on the part of the employer or a third party (i.e. contractor, sub-contractor, etc.) took place and contributed towards the workplace injury accident. In the event that the employer or a third party did act negligently, the injured employee may be able to seek compensation for his injury. These damages can be used to help cover the costs associated with the accident, such as medical bills, physical therapy fees, and even wages lost as a result of time off of work.

Continue reading "Great Falls Refinery Fire Leaves Worker With 1st and 2nd Degree Burns" »

The personal injury law firm of Anapol Schwartz is pleased to introduce the debut of its workers' compensation website: http://pa-workerscompensation.com. In having dedicated over 30 years to helping individuals injured while on the job seek compensation for their injuries, Anapol Schwartz offers the experience and know-how that injured workers need to hold negligent companies accountable for unsafe work conditions. The launching of Anapol Schwartz's workers' compensation website serves as a credible resource for workers seeking information pertaining to compensation, eligibility, benefits, and lawsuits centering-around workers' compensation issues.

The workers' compensation website seeks to serve as a valuable source of information for all things workers' comp related. Visitors to the website can browse a variety of topics, including: Low Wage Workers Compensation, Workplace Injuries (including positional and repetitive activity injuries and slips and falls), and PA Workers Compensation Law. They may also request a free copy of The Book on Comp: A Guide to PA Workers Compensation, written by the lawyers of Anapol Schwartz, that further discusses a variety of helpful facts, including: 6 common workplace injuries eligible for workers comp, 4 factors that workers' compensation is based on, 3 questions on every injured employee's mind, and 6 reasons to consult a workers' compensation lawyer.

Workers' compensation affects far too many individuals each and every year. Employers have an obligation to provide their employees with safe working conditions, and any deviation away from that can and should be deemed as negligent behavior. Injured employees have a variety of rights that protect them against negligent employers and third parties, and should never feel as though injuries sustained while on the job are completely their fault. For more information about New Jersey workers' compensation laws or to have one of our attorneys calculate your estimated compensation rate through our Workers Compensation Benefits Calculator, please visit http://pa-workerscompensation.com or call (866) 735-2792 for a free consultation with one of the skilled Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers at Anapol Schwartz.

According to a courierpress.com news report, a 47-year-old man from Loogootee, Indiana was recently injured while on the job in Daviess County. Reportedly, the man was working with others to release pressure on a gas line when the pipe being worked on hit the man in the upper arm. According to the article, the pipe's threading gave way and, when combined with the pressurized gas, moved out of position, striking the man and resulting in a compound fracture of his left arm.

Thankfully, the man was stabilized and flown to Evansville hospital for further treatment. More details surrounding the incident were not made available; however, a more thorough investigation into the matter will undoubtedly take place. It is important for all work-related accidents and injuries, especially those involving pressurized gas, to be investigated in order to determine whether or not negligent action of some kind may have taken place.

If it is determined that negligence played a role in this man's injury, he may be able to seek compensatory damages from the party deemed responsible for the incident. On the job injuries affect Pennsylvania residents much more often than they should. All instances of such injuries should be thoroughly examined by an experienced Central Pennsylvania injured at work attorney who will fight to ensure that the rights of the injured are not infringed upon in a court of law.

Continue reading "Pressurized Gas Pipe Injures Loogootee Man in Daviess County, IN" »

The personal injury law firm of Anapol Schwartz is happy to announce the launching of its nursing injury news website: http://www.nursing-injury-news.com. In dedicating over 30 years to helping those injured while on-the-job and due to the negligence of others, Anapol Schwartz is at the forefront of assisting injury victims receive full compensation for work-related injury, illness, assault and abuse. The debut of Anapol Schwartz’s nursing injury website aims to provide updates on nursing injury news; serving as a valuable legal resource for nurses who have been hurt at no fault of their own while trying to do their job and help others.

The new nursing injury website hopes to help nurses better understand what qualifies as injury in the nursing profession and the possible legal avenues one may take to hold negligent employers accountable for their oversight or disregard. The website provides information about bed transfer injury, hazardous substance injury, equipment and appliance injuries, physical assault, physical exertion, slip and fall injuries, workers compensation, unsafe working conditions, MRSA infection, and much more.

Nursing injuries may occur at a hospital, medical facility, or at a private residence. Such injuries can take place for several different reasons, many of which circulate around unsafe working environments, improper training by staff members or employers, or various other types of negligence or reckless action on the part of a nurse’s employer. To learn more about nursing injury and what legal options may be available to you if you’ve suffered a nursing injury, please visit http://www.nursing-injury-news.com or call (866) 735-2792 for a free consultation with one of the skilled nursing injury attorneys at Anapol Schwartz.

Chemical plant employers and managers have the responsibility of ensuring that employees who dedicate their lives working for them are protected from exposure to dangerous levels of chemicals, gases, and other toxic materials. Most of these components are harmless if handled in certain quantities, with specific protection, after receiving adequate training, and when following proper procedures.

A recent startribune.com article discusses the death of a West Virginia chemical plant employee. After being exposed on January 23, 2010 to phosgene, a major industrial chemical that is poisonous at room temperature, the worker died the next day. As a result, the chemical plant has shut down while the federal Occupation Health and Safety Administration investigates a series of leaks, three of which were reported over the weekend and one of which went unnoticed for a full week. A plant spokesman said that the plant is reviewing operating procedures and that there is no immediate plan to start-up production.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, phosgene poisoning varies based on the amount of phosgene that a person is exposed to, the route of exposure, and the length of time in which an individual is exposed. Serious damage can be done to the eyes, nose, skin, throat, and lungs from phosgene gas and liquid exposure.

Continue reading "Worker at Chemical Plant Killed by Phosgene Exposure" »

Located just south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Three Mile Island, the scene of the worst nuclear disaster in United States history, is again making headlines, this time for a radiation leak that forced the evacuation of 150 workers. According to an english.cctv.com article, workers were generally exposed to low levels, although one worker was found to have been exposed to 16 millirems of radiation, which is the equivalent of about three X-rays worth. Reportedly, the leak did not pose a threat to public health or safety.

While there was no further mention of worker illness, any illnesses that do arise could result in the power plant being held accountable. Employers have an obligation to provide their employees with safe working environments, even in a place such as a nuclear power plant. In the event that an employee falls ill because of hazardous conditions in the workplace, the employee may have the right to seek compensatory damages from their employer. Such compensation can assist with costs associated with an accident or illness, such as medical bills, loss of wages, and physical therapy fees.

Continue reading "Three Mile Island Radiation Leak Causes Workers to Evacuate" »

A recent article from gazette.net reported that a Giant Food Store was evacuated after multiple customers and employees (approximately 14 all together) complained about feeling sick and having trouble breathing after smelling gas within the building. Six of the sick individuals, two Giant customers and four employees, were taken to local hospitals in Maryland for evaluation. According to the article, no gas leak was discovered on the premises and officials are still not sure what made the individuals sick.

After evacuating the building shortly after the several reports of people feeling ill, a hazardous materials team responded and investigated the possibility of a gas or Freon leak. However, these possibilities were cancelled out, with no other explanation discovered or provided. As a safety precaution for people within close distance to the area in question, police temporarily closed off certain access points to the shopping center where the Giant Food Store is located. Many other surrounding businesses were also evacuated and others were left to make their own determinations whether or not to evacuate.

Continue reading "Shopping Center Evacuated: Employees and Customers Feel Sick after Smelling Gas" »

The website ldnews.com reported that a year after the Conshohocken fire, which left 400 people homeless, there has been little or no progress in court according to a lawyer for the former tenants. The lawsuit contends that a construction worker who was welding on an adjacent construction site accidently set off a blaze that torched 200 upscale units. The lawsuit claims that the developer and other parties were negligent, along with the owners of the building who did not have sufficient fire protection.

A Montgomery County judge has ordered the developer and the tenant’s lawyers to negotiate but the tenants’ lawyer stated that has been “fruitless.”

While the rules regarding the maintenance and safety at construction sites are strict, many sites are not as safe as they could be. The reality is that many construction site accidents can be prevented if the employer implemented smarter and enforceable safety practices. Insuring that all workers are properly trained in the operation of machinery and that the site is properly managed under OSHA and local standards can help increase construction site safety. No matter how stringent the safety standards are regarding construction, it remains one of the most dangerous of all occupations, with all construction laborers being at risk every day while on the job.

Continue reading "Construction Worker Accused of Starting Massive Pennsylvania Apartment Fire" »

An industrial explosion at the ConAgra Foods Plant in Garner, North Carolina that killed two workers and injured many others in June is still an incident that has many industrial workers concerned over the safety of their future. A wral.com report stated that approximately 300 workers were in the plant at the time of the explosion, many of whom were exposed to toxic fumes released from ammonia leaks. Thirty-eight individuals had to be transported to local hospitals for serious injuries resulting from the explosion, and three firefighters suffered from ammonia inhalation.

According to the article, district chief for Wake County EMS stated, "It's not just a matter of fire or any chemical exposure, but certainly with the structure collapse, there's the issue of the safety of going in." In any explosion, structure integrity is always a serious issue, but it is not the only concern that involved workers have to deal with. Exposure to toxic substances in the workplace can have long-lasting effects on a person’s well-being, putting an individual who has come in dangerous contact with an environmental toxin at risk of organ damage, cancer, severe burns, and many other calamities.

Fortunately in this incident, the ammonia toxic fumes were contained enough that the surrounding community was not threatened. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials kept a close watch over the air quality near the plant soon after the explosion to ensure that the toxic chemicals did not endanger people in the surrounding areas.

Continue reading "Industrial Explosion Exposes Workers to Toxic Ammonia Fumes" »