When Occupational Accidents Happen in An Industrial Setting According to the most recent United States Department of Labor — Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) statistics, 240 people died due to occupational injuries in one year in Pennsylvania. These occupational injuries resulted from many different types of industrial accidents including: If your life has been changed by an industrial accident, the attorneys at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, L.L.C., can help you understand your options. Located in Pittsburgh, our attorneys bring a broad spectrum of legal experience and knowledge to our personal injury practice. If your industrial accident is a workers’ compensation issue, we will pursue all of the rights you may have. We may also pursue other options on your behalf as well. These include Social Security Disability, product liability or premises liability lawsuits. Lawyers at our Pennsylvania law firm represent the victims of industrial accidents from many different industries, including the construction industry and different manufacturing plants such as steel plants, aluminum plants, atomic power plants, glass plants and chemical plants. Our clients include asbestos workers, automobile mechanics, electricians, foundry workers, carpenters and iron workers, and many others. Common Causes of Industrial Accidents There are a number of reasons why industrial accidents occur, these include: Industrial accidents can result in a number of different types of injuries, such as: Some industrial injuries can be permanent and debilitating and in the worst cases, fatal. Moderate to severe injuries can involve a lengthy recovery time, which can mean being out of work for a while. This can put a lot of stress on injury victims and their families. Legal Options for Industrial Accident Victims in Pennsylvania For workers who get injured in an industrial accident, workers’ compensation is usually their first legal recourse. Workers’ comp provides reimbursements for many of the economic losses that the worker suffers, including: The good thing about workers’ compensation is that it is a “no-fault” program, meaning that you do not have to prove negligence on the part of your employer or coworker in order to qualify for benefits. The workers’ comp claims process is far more complicated than it should be, however, and insurance companies routinely deny valid claims. Our lawyers will work closely with you to help ensure that your claim is approved and that you receive the level of benefits you are entitled to. The workers’ compensation program provides no-fault coverage to injured employees, but there is a downside. In general, employers who have workers’ comp coverage cannot be sued by their employees, which means you cannot go after them for noneconomic damages such as pain-and-suffering, psychological distress, and diminished quality of life. There are some cases, however, in which an outside party (other than your employer or a co-worker) may be responsible for the industrial accident that caused your injury. When this is the case, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault party. Examples of outside parties that could be responsible for an industrial accident and subsequent injuries include: In addition to helping you with your workers’ compensation claim, our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your case to determine if there are any outside parties that could be held liable. And if you are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, we will help you get qualified for those as well. Contact Us About Your Potential Case Regardless of your occupation, our law firm strives to be a dependable resource for the information you need regarding industrial accidents, and we welcome you to contact one of our attorneys anytime to discuss your potential case. Contact Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, L.L.C., by calling us at 412-391-9860 in Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, or toll free at 866-466-5789. You may also complete our online contact form. Initial consultations are free and confidential.Pennsylvania Industrial Accident Attorneys
Contact Us
20 Stanwix Street, Suite 700
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-391-9860
Toll Free: 866-565-4949
Fax: 412-391-7453