Union Workplace Injuries
Philadelphia Union Work Comp Attorneys
It's no coincidence that unions sprung up to serve workers in some of the most injury-prone occupations. Workers in heavy industry, construction, manufacturing and other very physical jobs run some of the biggest risks of injury, illness and death in U.S. workplaces, simply because they're more often exposed to risk factors for these injuries. Pennsylvania remains proudly pro-union in part because of its history as a capital of heavy industry and manufacturing in the 20th century, and our state is home to the largest labor union in North America, the United Steelworkers.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor consistently show that construction is the industry most likely to see serious fatalities. In 2007, 1,178 workers in construction died, with workers in building construction actually seeing a sharp rise in fatalities. The next most deadly industry was transportation and warehousing, then the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries. The most common type of fatal personal injury accident was a transportation accident, especially highway auto accidents, followed by contact with equipment, violent crime, falls and exposure to harmful substances.
Transportation and warehousing was the industry that reported the most cases of nonfatal injury or illness, with 6.5 cases per 100 workers. Manufacturing and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting were the next most common industries, with 6 cases per 100 workers. These were followed closely by the construction industry, with 5.9 cases, and health care and social assistance, with 5.8 cases per 100 workers. Slightly more than half of all of the injuries or illnesses required time off work or a job transfer for the victim.
Contact with equipment was the most commonly reported nonfatal accident, followed by overexertion, falls, being struck by an object and being struck against an object. These workplace accidents resulted most often in sprains and strains, then bruises, cuts, broken bones and "multiple traumatic injuries," a combination of several injuries.
The Philadelphia workplace injury law firm of Cherry Fieger & Marciano represents workers throughout Pennsylvania who need help securing the workers compensation benefits they're entitled to. We have more than 20 years of experience helping union and non-union workers secure the benefits mandated by state law and their union contracts. We can help you negotiate with your employer or its insurance company; help move your case through the state Bureau of Workers Compensation System; or aggressively advocate for you in a court of law. Our goal is always to take the burden of securing work comp benefits off of you, so you can focus on getting better and getting back to work.
Cherry Fieger & Marciano offers free evaluations of all potential clients' cases, so there's no risk in learning more about your case and your rights. To speak with an experienced Philadelphia, PA workplace injury lawyer today, please fill out our online case evaluation form or call us today at (888) 684-7192.