Employers owe it to their employees to provide a safe and conducive work environment. Doing this reduces workplace accidents that result in injuries or occupational diseases. But, as often seen, employers violate the safety practices of their industry, putting employees at risk of work injuries and illnesses.
Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites workplace violations common among industries. Knowing what these violations are will go a long way in helping to protect your rights and seek compensation with the help of an injury law firm if needed.
So, if you believe a safety violation led to your work injury or illness, contact The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia immediately at 800-969-4400. Our team will carefully examine your case to see if your rights were breached and take the appropriate legal action.
When dealing with a workplace injury, having a knowledgeable and experienced legal team plays a crucial role in whether you will get fair or minimal benefits. Our Philadelphia work injury lawyers at The Cochran Firm are excellent advocates with a winning track record. We will bring our experience and knowledge to bear on your case to get a favorable outcome.
We have over 50 years of experience representing injured Philadelphia workers and helping them fight for and protect their rights.
We care about each of our clients and work hard to give you quality representation. If you are injured in a workplace accident caused by a violation, you can count on us to help you navigate the process.
Call us today at 800-969-4400 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Most workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths are preventable if employers follow the safety standards for their industry. To this end, OSHA releases safety violations yearly for employers to note and take steps to fix them to reduce incidences of injuries, illnesses, and death. In 2022, OSHA released the following as the top ten safety violations:
The safety violations were published based on reports from over 300,000 establishments. Of all the violations, falling from height in the construction industry is one of the most common hazards workers face. According to the National Safety Council, falls to a lower level are the third leading fatal workplace event and the fifth leading event resulting in cases with days away from work.
However, despite the statistics, workers are still prone to fall injuries and other hazards due to employers failing to maintain safety standards. Therefore, if your employer violates safety standards and you suffer an injury or develop an illness, you can take legal action against them.
You have several rights as a worker in the United States under federal law. For example, you have the right to speak up about hazards in the workplace without fear of retaliation. Therefore, if you suspect your working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful, file a confidential complaint with OSHA and ask for an inspection.
If OSHA finds your employer guilty of a violation, your employer will receive a citation, which could lead to a significant fine, especially for repeat offenders.
Also, you can inform your employer of your safety concerns. But what happens if you do and they fail to address it, and you suffer an injury or develop an illness? In such an instance, you can take legal action, as mentioned.
First, report the injury to your employer within 21 days but at most 120 days after the injury. Then, receive treatment for your injuries using the doctor designated by your employer. You can change the doctor after 90 days, but you must use your employer-designated physician to prevent jeopardizing your claim.
If all goes well, you should receive your workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. But more often than not, employers fail to pay workers’ comp or offer less than an injured worker is entitled to. Contact our workers’ compensation lawyer at The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia when this happens. We will represent your interests and work tirelessly to ensure a favorable outcome.
If you suffered an injury or developed an illness due to workplace safety violations, you might have questions about the workers’ compensation process and what to expect. Below are some of the questions we frequently encounter.
Under Pennsylvania law, you will receive a retroactive payment within 14 days of missing work. The retroactive payment includes the first seven days of missed work.
You are entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (AWW) up to a maximum amount. Also, according to the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law, the statewide average weekly salary for injuries occurring on and after January 1, 2022, is $1,205 per week.
You have three years to file a workers’ compensation claim in Philadelphia. But you must report your injury to your employer within 21 days and not more than 120 days.
You can handle your work comp claim yourself, but it is best to work with an attorney. Workers’ compensation claims can get complicated, and working with a lawyer ensures your employer and their insurer don’t take advantage of you and cheat you of your benefits.
If you or a loved one are involved in a severe workplace accident due to safety violations, seek help and representation immediately. You may be entitled to recover compensation for your missed time off, injuries, and other financial difficulties. Contact The Cochran Firm now at 800-969-4400 for a free case review to get you started.
