Pittsburgh Industrial Accident Lawyer

Industrial Accident Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Industrial workers have demanding jobs and are at risk for injury every time they go to work. Work site accidents can be devastating and result in  catastrophic injury or even death. If you are injured on the job, you deserve compensation to support your recovery. Unfortunately, workers are subjected to an unpredictable insurance claim system that requires detailed, meticulous efforts. A Pittsburgh industrial accident lawyer can help you navigate this system.

Prominent Western And Central Pennsylvania Industrial Accident Attorneys

The attorneys here at Ainsman Levine, LLC, understand the workers’ compensation claims process and the factors that contribute to accidents and injuries suffered by industrial workers. Our firm has stood for the rights of injured individuals for the past 33 years, and our attorneys have years of combined experience. We know how important personalized legal care is for our clients, and we tailor our services and representation to your unique needs.

Our firm has worked diligently for our clients, securing many successful outcomes, including a $1.3 million workers’ compensation result. These past results do not guarantee future results, but show our unwavering commitment and care for our clients. We want to help workers like you get the financial compensation you deserve and need to support yourself and your loved ones.

What Are Common Causes of Industrial Accidents in Pittsburgh?

In Pennsylvania, there were 701 total severe injury reports in 2024 made to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, including 557 hospitalizations. Thirty-three of these 701 severe injuries occurred in Pittsburgh workspaces. Workers on industrial sites face a much higher number of hazards compared to other employees. The environment in which employees of this trade work is risky and potentially dangerous at all times.

Employees are vulnerable to injuries from numerous areas, including:

• Vehicle collisions. Many industrial environments use forklifts and other vehicles in and around the worksites, and these vehicles can be involved in accidents. Vehicle collisions may be minor or could result in severe injuries.
• Heavy machinery. When heavy machinery on worksites is not properly maintained or is defective, it can malfunction and cause serious injuries. Machinery and equipment accidents are also more likely if employers do not properly train their workforce or provide them with necessary safety gear. Machinery accidents can include caught-by accidents, crushing injuries, and more.
• Chemicals. Industrial sites often use and store dangerous chemicals. These substances can cause injury if they are not stored or used properly. Employees can suffer chemical burns, inhalation injuries, and long-term developmental illnesses.
• Complacent co-workers. Injuries can happen in many different ways if co-workers do not follow the required safety procedures or are not trained sufficiently.
• Physical job demands. Many injuries and illnesses can occur in industrial work simply from the repeated physical requirements of the job. This includes overexertion, heat exhaustion, other heat illnesses, and repetitive motion strain.
• Falls. A lack of safety railings, slip or trip hazards, and other hazards can lead to falls. These falls can be especially serious when they are from one or more floors up, or if they occur from locations like cranes or scissor lifts.
• Falling objects. Falling objects from storage or other high locations can cause traumatic brain injuries and neck injuries.
• Structure collapses. Structure collapses can occur at industrial worksites, causing serious injuries, whether they involve scaffolding or the building itself.
• Explosions. Industrial worksites may store hazardous and flammable chemicals, and they also have the potential for fire hazards. Combined, these hazards can create an industrial plant explosion, one of the most severe accidents on a worksite.

Frequent Injuries in Workplace Industrial Accidents

Common injuries include:

• Thermal or chemical burns
• Hearing loss
• Blindness
• Brain and head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputation
• Paralysis
• Electrical shocks and burns

Employers are required to take specific safety precautions and abide by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules. Workers should wear proper protection equipment and follow safety measures. Unfortunately, accidents can still happen even with these precautions, and employees can suffer injuries as a result.

What Should You Do After an Industrial Accident in Pittsburgh?

After an industrial accident in a Pittsburgh workplace, there are several steps you should take to look out for your own health and well-being, as well as improve your future claim’s success. This includes:

1. Get medical care. It’s important to get medical treatment and protect your health. Part of this treatment may include seeing a healthcare provider that is designated by your employer, and visiting a designated provider for a period of 90 days.
2. Report your injury to your employer. You should report your injury and the incident to your employer as soon as possible, and within 21 days to get retroactive benefits. If you wait over 120 days to give notice, you will likely be unable to recover compensation. These deadlines may not apply if your employer already knew of the injury. However, it’s important to report the injury as quickly as possible to benefit your claim.
3. Document the scene of the accident. If possible, you should take photos or videos of the scene of the accident and your injuries. Be sure that you also note down witnesses to the incident and save documentation like the cost of your medical treatment.
4. Reach out to a skilled attorney. After reporting your accident, you should hire an industrial accident lawyer quickly, before giving any recorded statement to the workers’ compensation insurance company.

FAQs

How Much Payout Do You Get With a Partial Disability in Pennsylvania?

The payout you get with a partial disability in Pennsylvania for workers’ compensation depends on the specifics of that partial disability. In general, partial disability benefits are two-thirds of the difference between an employee’s wages and their earning power, lasting for a set period of time not longer than 500 weeks. The loss of a pinky finger results in partial disability payments for 28 weeks, while the loss of an arm results in benefits for 410 weeks.

What Qualifies as an Industrial Accident?

An industrial accident is an incident causing injury or other damage on industrial worksites, such as a chemical spill, a property hazard, a machinery malfunction, a fire, a structure collapse, an explosion, or another accident. These incidents can harm communities, environments, and bystanders, but are most harmful to employees.

Injured workers can recover compensation through workers’ compensation claims, while surviving family members can recover workers’ compensation death benefits.

What Are the Two Most Common Types of Industrial Accidents?

Two of the most common types of industrial accidents are 1) falls in the workplace because of slippery conditions, tripping hazards, or other dangerous conditions; and 2) injuries caused by malfunctioning machinery, including caught-by injuries, crushing injuries, and flying or falling objects that separate from moving machinery.

Industrial accidents can result in minor injuries or can lead to severe harm like broken bones, spinal cord damage, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, and loss of sight or hearing.

How Much Do You Get for Industrial Injuries?

The amount you can get in compensation for industrial injuries depends mostly on the severity of your injury. It also depends on the type of claim or claims you can file.

Most employees can file a workers’ compensation claim only, which can have more limited damages. In rare cases, employees can file a third-party personal injury claim, which can cover additional damages.

More severe injuries have higher medical costs and require more time off, increasing overall potential compensation.

Hire an Industrial Accident Lawyer: Get a Consultation Today

Whether you suffered an injury due to a slip, fall, explosion, or faulty equipment, we can help. Contact our Pittsburgh-based office to speak with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. If your injury was caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of someone outside of work, you can still file a civil claim with the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania Civil Division. Speak with us today to see how we can help you advocate for justice.