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Fatal Shredder Accident in Reading Underscores Risks Addressed in $2.5M Galfand Berger Case
June 6, 2025A fatal workplace accident in Berks County is renewing concerns about industrial shredder safety. On Wednesday, an employee at Vital
Records Control in Muhlenberg Township was tragically killed after falling into an operating shredding machine. The Berks County Coroner’s Office is investigating the incident. Few details have been released, but the story has drawn attention across the region.
This tragic loss echoes another Berks County industrial shredder case handled by Richard Jurewicz, Esq. of Galfand Berger LLP. In 2013, Rick represented a worker who suffered a traumatic hand amputation and severe forearm injuries when a co-worker mistakenly reversed a shredding machine while the client was clearing a paper jam. The worker’s arm was pulled into the running machine.
Rick investigated the case and discovered that the equipment lacked a guard that would have prevented the injury. He filed a suit against both the manufacturer and seller of the shredding machine, ultimately securing a $2.5 million settlement for the client.
Dangerous Industrial Equipment, Preventable Harm
Industrial shredders are designed to destroy paper, metal, and plastic, making them extremely hazardous when proper safety measures are not in place. In both the 2013 injury and the recent fatality, the lack of appropriate safeguards may have contributed to the harm.
Employers and manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that machinery is equipped with appropriate safety features, that workers receive proper training, and that OSHA standards are adhered to. When they fail, the consequences can be life-altering or fatal.
At Galfand Berger LLP, we help victims and families hold negligent parties accountable for:
- Defective equipment design or missing safeguards.
- Inadequate employee training.
- Failure to follow or enforce safety protocols.
- Improper equipment maintenance or repairs.
- Unsafe workplace procedures.
Standing Up for Injured Workers
Rick’s work on the 2013 case reflects our firm’s commitment to uncovering the truth and pursuing meaningful compensation for clients harmed by unsafe industrial equipment. Unfortunately, as the recent Muhlenberg Township incident shows, these tragedies continue to happen.
Injured by Unsafe Machinery? Contact Our Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP
At Galfand Berger LLP, our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers fight for workers and families harmed by dangerous equipment. For a free consultation, call 800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Allentown and Harrisburg.