A fall from just a few feet off the ground can cause catastrophic or even fatal injuries. Unfortunately, there are many work environments where employees have a high risk of falling and sustaining an injury. For example, construction sites can be extremely dangerous for workers, particularly if an employer fails to provide proper fall protection or implement other safety measures. Depending on the speed, angle, and distance of the fall, a worker can suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), permanent paralysis, or even wrongful death. If you or your spouse fell at work in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia workplace injury attorneys of the Reiff Law Firm are here to help. We can help you apply for workers’ compensation benefits, appeal a denied workers’ comp claim, or potentially file a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the circumstances surrounding your injury.
When workers get injured in Philadelphia, the Reiff Law Firm is there to provide assistance. We have more than 34 years of experience, offer 24-hour legal support, and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims. If you need help filing a claim after falling at work, turn to the Philadelphia workplace fall lawyers of the Reiff Law Firm for strategic support tailored to your situation. Contact our offices online to set up a free consultation, or call the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
Fall from Heights Accident Statistics
Falls from heights can occur in almost any industry or setting. However, certain types of workers have a greater risk of being involved in these types of accidents. Construction workers, who often use elevators and scaffolding to work hundreds of feet in the air, have the greatest risk of falling from heights on the job.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction workers are significantly more likely to be killed in fatal falls from heights than government workers, miners, businesspeople, workers in the manufacturing industry, workers in the transportation industry, or workers in other areas of the private sector. In 2016, for example, there were 370 fatal construction-related falls nationwide: 10 times more than the 37 falls that occurred in manufacturing jobs.
At the Reiff Law Firm, we have extensive experience representing injured construction workers in personal injury lawsuits and handling construction-related workman’s compensation claims. If you or your spouse suffered a back injury, brain injury, broken bones, or other types of fall-related injuries after a construction accident, manufacturing accident, or other type of on-the-job accident, our workers’ comp lawyers are ready to provide the guidance and answers you need.
About Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Pennsylvania
Below, our workers’ compensation attorneys explain some key information about workman’s comp in Pennsylvania, including what injuries are covered, how much the benefits pay, and how filing for workers’ comp differs from filing a personal injury lawsuit.
What Accidents and Injuries Does Workman’s Compensation Cover?
Worker’s comp covers all types of job-related accidents and injuries, including falls from heights, slip and fall accidents, and other types of workplace falls. Injuries that may qualify you to receive workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Amputation injuries, such as the loss of a limb, hand, foot, finger, or toe
- Back injuries, such as bulging or herniated discs
- Bone fractures
- Concussions and other head or brain injuries
- Cuts and severe bruising
- Internal bleeding
- Shoulder, knee, elbow, and hip injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI) and paralysis
- Torn ligaments
- Wrist and ankle injuries
What Does Workers’ Comp Pay in Pennsylvania?
The amount of workman’s compensation you can potentially receive depends on how much you were earning before your accident. In Pennsylvania, injured workers are generally entitled to receive an amount equaling up to two-thirds of their average weekly wages, though exceptions can arise.
How is Workers’ Compensation Different from a Personal Injury Claim?
When you file a personal injury lawsuit, you must use evidence to prove that the defendant’s negligence, or carelessness, led to your accident and the associated injuries. This usually involves showing how a product malfunctioned, showing how an individual failed to perform their job correctly, or showing how a business failed to follow regulations and implement safety standards.
When you file a workers’ compensation claim, you do not need to prove that anyone was negligent or at fault for your injuries in order to receive benefits. However, there are situations where filing for workers’ comp could prevent you from filing lawsuits against certain parties. It is critical to discuss your situation and review your options carefully with a skilled and experienced workplace injury lawyer, like the award-winning attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm.
Philadelphia Workers’ Comp Attorney for Workplace Falls from Heights
If you or you spouse fell at work and sustained a serious injury as a result, you should go over your legal options carefully with an attorney. You could be entitled to financial benefits, which can help to pay for your medical care, compensate you for lost earnings, and provide support for your family. For a free consultation about workers’ comp for a fall at work in Philadelphia, call the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online today.
