Workplace Accidents

In a workplace accident case, the plant owners or worksite managers know (or should know) that an unsafe condition or potential risk exists and do nothing to either correct the hazard or inform unsuspecting workers of the potential danger.

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Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky is one of the country’s leading workplace accident law firms with decades of experience representing victims who have been catastrophically injured or killed as a result of unsafe industrial or workplace conditions.

It’s our job to make sure that worksites are free of hazardous conditions—and to hold the owners of unsafe plants responsible for the catastrophic worker injuries and deaths that result from their negligence.

Andrew R. Duffy

According to government statistics, nearly 3 million workers are injured on the job annually. About 5,000 workers are killed each year in workplace accidents, with more than 20 percent of those fatalities occurring in the construction industry alone. About 40% of all workplace fatalities involve transportation of some kind—typically a car or truck accident, or a mishap that occurs while moving materials on the job.

Some of the most common workplace hazards include:

  • Chemicals
  • Gas explosions
  • Heat and burn risks
  • Malfunctioning equipment

But an accident can happen in any workplace setting—even office workers can be seriously injured on the job.

Unmatched Results

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky has secured numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients in workplace accident cases:

  • $16,500,000 settlement for a millwright who suffered burns over 60 percent of his body when hot slag struck him inside a kiln in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
  • $11,700,000 settlement for three plant workers killed and eight others injured—including one seriously burned—when a defective valve led to an acetylene gas explosion
  • $101,000,000 settlement for 34 victims (including four fatalities) of Tropicana Casino parking garage collapse in Atlantic City, NJ
  • $36,000,000 settlement for property damage victims in Montgomery County apartment complex caused by construction adjacent to apartment buildings
  • $17,000,000 record-setting settlement for family of worker killed by overloaded crane hook
  • $14,000,000 settlement for roofer who suffered traumatic brain injury on the job from defective hoist
  • $13,000,000 settlement for crane operator who suffered catastrophic leg injuries, including amputation of his right leg, during construction of Harrah’s Casino in Chester, Pennsylvania
  • $12,700,000 settlement for seven workers injured in scaffold collapse during construction of Kimmel Center in Philadelphia
  • $12,000,000 settlement for roofer paralyzed by 40-foot fall

Unmatched Experience

From analyzing evidence to selecting the most qualified safety and medical experts, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky has mastered the difficult task of establishing a relationship between workplace conditions and the injuries that occur there. Working with independent experts, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky attorneys thoroughly investigate such factors as:

  • The worksite managers’ and plant owners’ prior knowledge of the hazardous conditions and their failure to correct or warn others about it
  • Adherence to federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and the safety and operating procedures of the defendant companies

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky bolsters its cases with the innovative use of video brochures—mini-documentaries that powerfully illustrate our clients’ pain and suffering and include victim, family, witness, and expert interviews and excerpts from the defendants’ depositions. These presentations often convince defendants to agree to high-value settlements, or, if settlement negotiations fail, persuade juries to award large verdicts.

Besides representing our injured clients, our lawyers have also been some of the leading advocates in the plaintiff’s bar for making sure U.S. workplace conditions are improved to ensure worker safety and reduce the number of future accidents.

Unmatched Compensation

Employers, office and factory owners, property managers, equipment manufacturers, and maintenance firms may all be liable in a workplace accident case. Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky works tirelessly to help you get all the compensation to which you may be entitled–including payments for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, past, and future medical expenses, lost income, and future earnings.

If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed, as a result of a workplace accident, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky is committed to obtaining all the results you need and deserve.

Workplace Accident FAQs

What should I do if I was injured in a workplace accident?

Your health and safety come first. Seek medical attention immediately—even if your injuries do not seem serious at first. Some workplace injuries, including head, spinal, and internal injuries, may worsen over time.

If possible:

  • Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible
  • Document what happened and how the injury occurred
  • Preserve any evidence related to the accident
  • Avoid giving recorded statements before understanding your rights

Then, contact Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky. Early decisions can affect both your recovery and your legal options.

Do I have to accept workers’ compensation, or can I file a lawsuit?

Workers’ compensation is often the first source of benefits after a workplace injury. It may cover medical treatment and a portion of lost wages, but it does not compensate for pain and suffering or the full impact of catastrophic injuries.

In some situations, an injured worker may also have the right to file a third-party personal injury claim, for example, when an accident is caused by:

  • A contractor or vendor
  • A property owner
  • A defective tool, machine, or product
  • Unsafe premises controlled by someone other than the employer

From analyzing evidence to selecting the most qualified safety and medical experts, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky has mastered the difficult task of establishing a relationship between workplace conditions and the injuries that occur there. Employers, office and factory owners, property managers, equipment manufacturers, and maintenance firms may all be liable in a workplace accident case.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky works tirelessly to help you get all the compensation to which you may be entitled, including payments for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, past, and future medical expenses, lost income, and future earnings.

What if the accident was partly my fault?

Workplace accidents are rarely caused by a single mistake. Unsafe conditions, inadequate training, faulty equipment, or poor supervision often play a role.

Even if you believe you may share some responsibility, you may still have legal options. Fault determinations should be based on a full investigation, not quick conclusions or assumptions.

What types of workplace injuries are considered serious?

Serious workplace injuries often include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Crush injuries and amputations
  • Severe burns or chemical exposure
  • Permanent orthopedic injuries
  • Fatal injuries

These injuries frequently require long-term medical care and can permanently affect a person’s ability to work and live independently.

Who can be held responsible for a workplace accident?

Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:

  • Employers or supervisors
  • Property owners
  • Contractors or subcontractors
  • Equipment manufacturers or maintenance providers
  • Third-party vendors or service companies

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s workplace accident attorneys will cast a wide net and conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties. Employers, office and factory owners, property managers, equipment manufacturers, and maintenance firms may all be liable in a workplace accident case.

Can I be fired for reporting a workplace injury?

In general, employers are prohibited from retaliating against workers for reporting injuries or filing workers’ compensation claims. Retaliation may violate state and federal law.

Fear of retaliation should never prevent a worker from seeking medical care or legal guidance.

What compensation may be available after a workplace accident?

Depending on the case, compensation may include:

  • Medical expenses and future care
  • Lost income and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Long-term rehabilitation and life-care costs
  • Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

The most serious workplace injuries require a forward-looking assessment of future needs, not just current bills.

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