Toxic Exposure Leads to Permanent Injuries

Thousands of hard working individuals are intentionally exposed to toxicants in the workplace, without their knowledge or consent. Most toxicants, like chemical toxicants can cause a series of health problems, from upper respiratory disease to skin cancer. Employers who knowingly expose their employees to potentially hazardous toxicants are in violation of the law, and they should be held accountable.

Employee Rights

As an employee, you have the right to know if dangerous chemicals are in the workplace, and how they will affect your health. Your employer should have an information sheet called a "Material Safety Data Sheet" located in a visible area. This data sheet contains:

• Valuable information about the type of chemicals in the workplace
• Any physical concerns you should watch out for
• How to protect yourself in the event of spills or leaks
• How to store such chemicals
• How to dispose of chemicals
• Which protective equipment works best
• How to administer first aid in the event of an exposure

If you have been exposed to chemicals without your knowledge, you can seek legal advice from a qualified attorney. Depending on the length of exposure, and the toxicity of the chemical, you might need to undergo a medical evaluation or take time off from work, if the chemicals have caused you to become ill. Millions of workers have been exposed to chemicals for a long time, and they are unaware of the long- term effect these chemicals have on their heart, lungs and other organs.

What Happens After Exposure?

Long- term illnesses prevent workers from earning a decent wage, and providing financial support for their families. Toxins such as:

• Asbestos
• Ammonia
• Iodine
• Lead
• Formaldehyde
• Chloroform

These chemicals are known to cause death or serious injury, and one or more of these chemicals contains cancer causing agents, which requires you to go through intensive radiation, surgery and other medical procedures.

If you need help with your workers compensation claim in the Reading, PA / Berks County area, you can contact our local workers compensation lawyers at our Reading, PA office:

The Bulldog Lawyers

213 N 5th St #1040a

Reading, PA 19601

610-595-4658

If you were injured on the job and are seeking workers comp benefits in the Philadelphia area, you can contact a workers compensation attorney at one of our local Philadelphia offices below:

 The Bulldog Lawyers

2981 Grant Ave #1a

Philadelphia, PA 19114

215-515-0895

The Bulldog Lawyers

100 S Broad St #1800b

Philadelphia, PA 19110

215-515-0650

What Are Repetitive Trauma Injuries?

When it comes to most injuries, a single, sudden movement occurs, causing a breakage, tear or other damage. From sporting events to car accidents, these injuries are sudden and often dangerous. However, there is another form of injury known as repetitive trauma injury. These are injuries that do not occur due to one incident, but instead repetitive movement. It is a slow breakdown of the body. It may take years, if not decades to cause this kind of trauma, but with the trauma, an individual can experience serious pain. If the repetitive trauma injuries are caused by your employer, you may be due compensation.

Examples of Repetitive Trauma Injuries

Probably the most common form of repetitive trauma is carpal tunnel syndrome. This is when years of typing on a computer or performing the same movement with hands leads to extreme pain from the wrists. Read more here about carpel tunnel syndrome.

Another example of repetitive trauma is from someone who loads trucks for a job, which in turn leads to an extended, if not permanent back injury. These injuries usually do not just pop up, but slowly develop until the pain is debilitating.

The Most Common Employee Health Problem

According to the United States Department of Labor, the most common injuries caused due to work are repetitive trauma injuries. It actually costs American workers over $20 billion annually. Nearly 20 percent of all hospital stays are due to repetitive trauma injuries.

Proper Compensation

When taking a job, you did not do so assuming you would become injured due to the tasks required of you. Even though the injury does not take place in one instance, your employer may still be responsible for the injury. Due to this, it is necessary to look into the repetitive trauma injuries and determine not only the responsible party but what kind of financial compensation is required of them.

If you need help with your workers compensation claim in the Reading, PA / Berks County area, you can contact our local workers compensation lawyers at our Reading, PA office:

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

213 N 5th St #1040a

Reading, PA 19601

610-595-4658

 

If you were injured on the job and are seeking workers comp benefits in the Philadelphia area, you can contact a workers compensation attorney at one of our local Philadelphia offices below:

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

2981 Grant Ave #1a

Philadelphia, PA 19114

215-515-0895

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

100 S Broad St #1800b

Philadelphia, PA 19110

215-515-0650

Occupational Injuries In The Agriculture Industry

The agricultural industry, or more specifically, farming, is a more dangerous industry than you would expect. Working as a farmer or farmhand can lead to numerous injuries. Additionally, these injuries could come from the machinery you work with, or from the animals you tend. Here is a closer look at what to expect and prevent when you choose to begin a life as a farmer or apply to work as a farm hand.

Machinery-Related Injuries

There are tractors, combines, plows, cultivators, planters, balers, seeders, and a whole hose of other sharp and dangerous machines on a farm. These machines can cause the following injuries:

• Loss of toes and fingers
• Broken bones and large lacerations of your flesh
• Dismemberment in extreme cases
• Loss of life in worst-case scenarios

If you are very careful around these machines and avoid having your body parts anywhere near them while they are in operation, you can remain whole. Receiving the necessary training on the equipment and how to operate it properly is vitally important to remaining injury-free.

Animal-Related Injuries

Farm animals are not friendly beasts, and most of them are large enough to do some serious damage. Regardless of what kinds of animals you raise and for what purpose, you should be aware of the dangers. Here are just some of the injuries reported annually by farmers and farm hands:

• Gored by animal horns--cows and goats are usually the offending parties.
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries as the result of being kicked in the head or trampled on by cows, horses, and bulls
• Missing flesh and finger digits as the result of being bitten by pigs and horses
• Pecked and scratched or blinded by poultry gone crazy or rabid barn cats
• Dog attacks when dogs don't realize you are attempting to herd the sheep rather than hurt them

If you receive any of these injuries, seek medical help right away. If you work for a farmer who doesn't provide health insurance for farm hands and refuses to provide payments for your medical bills, you may want to seek out a workers compensation lawyer.

If you need help with your workers compensation claim in the Reading, PA / Berks County area, you can contact our local workers compensation lawyers at our Reading, PA office:

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

213 N 5th St #1040a

Reading, PA 19601

610-595-4658

 

If you were injured on the job and are seeking workers comp benefits in the Philadelphia area, you can contact a workers compensation attorney at one of our local Philadelphia offices below:

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

2981 Grant Ave #1a

Philadelphia, PA 19114

215-515-0895

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

100 S Broad St #1800b

Philadelphia, PA 19110

215-515-0650

Hazards Faced By Workers In The Fracking Industry

In 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a hazard alert that was based on data collected by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that workers may be exposed to high levels of silicon dioxide during hydraulic fracturing or fracking.

Health Hazards In Fracking

One of the primary dangers of working in the fracking industry is the intake of silica that may cause cancer.  This has been linked to autoimmune and kidney disease, tuberculosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Secondly, the exposure to exhaust gases and diesel particulate matter proves to be a health hazard.
Thirdly, overexertion in the amount of hours worked lead to strains and sprains and fatigue, which impairs the concentration levels of the fracking worker.

Safety Hazards In The Fracking Industry  

 

There are various safety hazards that fracking industry workers face on hydraulic fracturing sites, such as:

• Getting struck by moving equipment, which would include car accidents (when traveling between sites), falling objects, and tools.
• Being pinched by hammer union wings, racks, and pump iron when on site.
• Falling accidents from dizzying heights.
• Poor lighting that results in stumbling over unseen objects resulting in injuries.
• Getting struck by high-pressure lines or due to an unexpected pressure release such as worn hammer unions or line failure.
• Explosions or fires that stem from flow-back fluid containing all sorts of flammable materials that are either stored or used at the well site.
• Working in constricted spaces, such as frac tanks, sand storage trailers, and sand movers.

Worker Rights In The Fracking Industry

Workers who carry out various tasks for fracking purposes have rights too, such as the right:

• To not be exposed to working conditions that pose the risk of being harmed.
• Receive information and get trained in a language they understand about various workplace hazards, ways to prevent getting injured, and knowing about the OSHA standards that apply to them.
• Check over records of work-related illnesses and injuries.

 

If you need help with your workers compensation claim in the Reading, PA / Berks County area, you can contact our local workers compensation lawyers at our Reading, PA office:

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

213 N 5th St #1040a

Reading, PA 19601

610-595-4658

 

If you were injured on the job and are seeking workers comp benefits in the Philadelphia area, you can contact a workers compensation attorney at one of our local Philadelphia offices below:

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

2981 Grant Ave #1a

Philadelphia, PA 19114

215-515-0895

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

100 S Broad St #1800b

Philadelphia, PA 19110

215-515-0650

What To Do If You Have Been Hurt On The Job

On the job injuries happen more often than what you think. Each year countless people are injured through no fault of their own. This causes a loss in income and a lot of stress on the family. In fact, 4,679 workers were fatally injured in 2014 alone. That number continues to rise with each passing year. Regardless of how minor or severe your injuries are, you deserve to be compensated fairly for them. Find out more about what you need to do following an on the job injury below.

 

Get Medical Treatment 

First and foremost, you need to get medical treatment for your injuries. You need to know the extent of what it is that you are dealing with and how long you are going to be gone from work. Make sure to get paperwork from the hospital or doctor's office outlining the injuries and what the prognosis is because you are going to need these for your employer.

 

Let Your Employer Know

The next thing you need to do after being injured on the job is to let your employer know. You need to tell them when the incident occurred, where, how it happened and any other supporting details. The quicker you let them know what happened the quicker the worker's compensation process can begin. Your employer can then let you know if you need to go to a special provider for treatment or anything else they need from you.

 

File For Worker's Compensation

Next, you want to get the paperwork filed for worker's compensation. If you don't file the paperwork within a timely fashion, you won't be able to get reimbursed for your injuries, so this is extremely important. Make sure you attach copies of the medical reports so they know what type of injury you are dealing with.

While on the job injuries do happen all the time, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't get the care and compensation that you rightfully deserve.

If you need help with your workers compensation claim in the Reading, PA / Berks County area, you can contact our local workers compensation lawyers at our Reading, PA office:

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

213 N 5th St #1040a

Reading, PA 19601

610-595-4658

 

If you were injured on the job and are seeking workers comp benefits in the Philadelphia area, you can contact a workers compensation attorney at one of our local Philadelphia offices below:

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

2981 Grant Ave #1a

Philadelphia, PA 19114

215-515-0895

 

The Bulldog Lawyers

100 S Broad St #1800b

Philadelphia, PA 19110

215-515-0650

I Was Injured On The Job. Am I Eligible For Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Benefits?

If you are an employee in the State of Pennsylvania and you were injured on the job then you are likely eligible to receive workers compensation benefits.

Workers comp laws in Pennsylvania are designed so that an employee who suffers an injury or illness as a direct result of their job --regardless of the cause-- is entitled to obtain workers compensation benefits.

In other words, as long as the injury or illness was incurred in the course of work then the injured employee has a right to workers compensation benefits.

Why Should I File A Workers Comp Claim?

Suffering a work-related injury can often lead to difficult circumstances including unexpected medical bills, lost income and serious physical pain.

Many injured workers become overwhelmed with the financial difficulties that arise after an injury and do not know what to do. 

Fortunately, it is possible to seek workers compensation benefits after an injury. The benefits that you receive from workers compensation are intended to help pay for the costs associated with your work-related injury. For example, workers comp benefits can help supplement a portion of your wages if you are no longer working because of your injury. Additionally, these benefits are meant to pay for medical expenses that you incur as a result of your injury.  

Where To Get Legal Help After A Work-related Injury In PA

But although filing a workers compensation claim in Pennsylvania may seem like an easy process, it can actually be quite difficult. As a result, many workers who are injured on the job do not get the benefits that they need.

This is where The Bulldog Lawyers can help. Our workers compensation lawyers have been helping injured employees to obtain workers comp benefits for decades and have the experience necessary to help you secure the benefits that you need.

If you need help with your workers compensation claim in the Reading, PA / Berks County area, you can contact our local workers compensation lawyers at our Reading, PA office:

The Bulldog Lawyers

213 N 5th St #1040a

Reading, PA 19601

610-595-4658

If you were injured on the job and are seeking workers comp benefits in the Philadelphia area, you can contact a workers compensation attorney at one of our local Philadelphia offices below:

The Bulldog Lawyers

2981 Grant Ave #1a

Philadelphia, PA 19114

215-515-0895

The Bulldog Lawyers

100 S Broad St #1800b

Philadelphia, PA 19110

215-515-0650