What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries in Pennsylvania?

Thousands of Pennsylvania workers get hurt on the job every year. Workplace injuries can be devastating for employees, leaving them with massive medical bills and time missed from work. While some industries have a higher rate of accidents than others, injuries can happen in any workplace in Pennsylvania.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury at work, it is essential to consult with an experienced attorney about your rights and options. The legal process can be complicated, whether you sustained a minor sprain or a more life-threatening injury. Any type of workplace injury can be costly and traumatic.

Every type of Pennsylvania employee is at risk of experiencing some sort of injury or illness at work. Common injuries in Pennsylvania workplaces include:

• Spinal cord damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Hand injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Slip and fall injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Tendonitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Vision and hearing loss
• Psychological trauma such as PTSD

What Are Common Causes of Workplace Injuries?

Workplace injuries can happen in various ways, no matter your job. All employees have the right to feel safe at work, and it is their employer’s responsibility to keep the environment free of hazards.

The following are common causes of workplace injuries:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Chemical and other liquid spills
• Toxic exposure
• Exposure to dangerous sound levels
• Fires and explosions
• Faulty wiring and other electrical hazards
• Biological and radiological hazards
• Getting struck or crushed by heavy objects
• Exposure to extreme temperatures
• Poorly-maintained equipment
• Defective machinery and equipment
• Inadequate safety measures
• Lack of emergency procedures
• Lack of proper safety equipment
• Lack of proper supervision
• Lack of proper job training
• Lack of fall protection
• Scaffolding or trench collapses
• Inadequate lighting

What Causes Fatal Workplace Injuries in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, transportation accidents cause the most fatal work injuries, followed by falls and contact with objects and equipment. The transportation and warehousing industries have the highest number of fatalities in Pennsylvania. Construction and extraction occupations have the second-highest number of fatal workplace injuries. Exposure to harmful substances or environments is also a frequent fatal work event in Pennsylvania.

As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the leading causes of work injuries in 2023 were caused by:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents
• Contact with objects and equipment
• Exposure to harmful substances or environments

The Bureau also reports that the highest number of employee fatal injuries occurs in the private construction industry sector. Workers performing manual labor are at the most risk for injury and death.

Workplace fatalities remain a serious concern in Pennsylvania

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), Pennsylvania recorded 169 fatal workplace injuries in 2023. Key findings include:

• Men accounted for 89 percent of work-related fatalities in Pennsylvania, consistent with national trends.
• White non-Hispanic workers represented 71 percent of those killed on the job in the state.
• Workers between the ages of 25 and 54 made up 51 percent of fatal workplace injuries, while workers 55 and older accounted for 42 percent — a higher share than the national average of 35 percent.
• Transportation incidents were the leading cause of workplace deaths, responsible for 30 percent of all fatalities, followed by falls, slips, and trips at 25 percent.

What Damages Can I Receive for a Workplace Injury?

If you are injured on the job, you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits, which will cover your medical bills and a portion of lost wages. There is also the possibility of suing third parties, which will allow for a higher settlement sum because of the option of pain and suffering compensation.

If you are injured at work, you may be able to recover the following damages:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Mental health treatment
• Medically necessary home alterations
• Out-of-pocket expenses for medication
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of spousal services
• Wrongful death

Why Choose Galfand Berger LLP?

Our firm has over 75 years of experience recovering significant financial awards for injured workers in Pennsylvania. We are proud of our reputation as a top regional firm for Pennsylvania workers and their families. We understand how life-changing a workplace injury can be for employees and their families.

We can fight for you to obtain the maximum compensation you need and deserve for a workplace injury. We can help you get back on your feet while offering all the legal support you need after an unexpected workplace accident.

Galfand Berger LLP has been helping injured Pennsylvania workers with successful results:

• $10,650,000 settlement for a fatally burned worker and his injured co-worker: We represented the family of a maintenance worker and his co-worker who suffered tragic injuries in an accident at an automotive battery manufacturer’s facility. The accident killed the maintenance worker and left his co-worker with severe burns on both of his thighs. We found that both the general contractor and its subcontractor had received a copy of the installation manual from the tank manufacturer, which required that all piping and flexible connections for the discharge line of the tank be independently supported. We also sued the tank manufacturer, arguing that the provision of a 6-inch long PVC discharge pipe rendered the tank defective and unsafe. We won a combined settlement of $10,650,000, one of the largest settlements ever in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Win the Best Possible Results for Our Injured Clients

If you or a loved one was injured on the job, contact our Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.