Accidents can and do happen on the job. Each year, thousands of workers are seriously hurt and killed in mishaps at mines, factories, agricultural operations, construction sites, and various other workplaces.
Among the most common causes of serious work injuries are accidents involving falling objects, workers falling from elevated equipment or structures, highway accidents involving cars, trucks, forklifts, factory machinery, and other devices, and electrocution, carbon monoxide poisoning, and trench cave-ins.
Kline & Specter, PC, attorneys have represented clients who suffered severe work injuries in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. If you or someone you know suffered a severe injury or death in a work-related accident, contact our office at 215-772-1000 to discuss your potential case.
What Is Workers' Compensation?
Workers' compensation is a system of benefits for employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. The goal is to ensure injured workers receive proper healthcare and financial support as they recover.
Common Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries can vary widely, from minor incidents to life-threatening situations. Common injuries include broken limbs, which may result from falls or equipment accidents. More severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, can occur due to high-impact accidents or falls from significant heights. In the most tragic cases, workplace injuries can result in fatalities.
These severe injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. That makes it even more important to have experienced legal representation to ensure proper compensation and support during recovery.
What to Do if You Think You Have a Claim
If you believe you have a workplace injury claim, report the injury to your employer immediately and seek medical attention. You should also document all details related to the incident and your injuries.
How a Worker’s Compensation Lawyer Can Help
The experienced workplace injury lawyers at Kline & Specter are here to guide you through the complex legal process. If our team has determined you have a valid claim, we'll represent your interests in disputes with your employer or insurance company, aiming for the best possible outcome. We'll do everything we can to ensure you receive all entitled benefits, including medical care and compensation for lost wages.
With our extensive legal knowledge and proven track record, we handle every aspect of your case, so you can focus on your recovery.
Why Choose Kline & Specter, PC?
Kline & Specter, PC, stands out for our unmatched expertise and proven success in personal injury law. Our firm boasts over 50 attorneys, including medical doctors. This unique combination of legal and medical knowledge has contributed to our impressive track record of securing numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
As one of the nation's leading personal injury firms, Kline & Specter provides personalized, client-focused representation. Serving clients in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and nationwide, we offer comprehensive legal support to seek the best possible outcomes for our clients. For more information or to schedule a free case evaluation, call 215-772-1000.
Workplace Injury Verdicts and Settlements
Kline & Specter, PC has achieved significant verdicts and settlements for our clients, including:
- 2019: Nearly $10.6 million settlement for a truck driver injured by a steel pipe at Dura-Bond Coating Inc. in Duquesne, PA (Read article).
- 2019: $9.2 million jury verdict for a Reading sanitation worker whose leg was amputated in a meat processing plant. (Read article)
- 2018: $30 million settlement with AT&T for a worker who fell from a cell tower.
- Earlier Case: $46.5 million jury verdict against a security company for the families of two women killed at Kraft Foods in Northeast Philadelphia.
- 2014: $10 million settlement for a wrongful death case at a Philadelphia-area refinery, settled by Shanin Specter and David Williams.
- 2013: $5 million settlement for an undocumented worker crushed by a collapsing excavation site. (Arana)
Past results do not guarantee the outcomes of future cases. Still, they highlight what our firm has been able to accomplish for our clients injured at work in Philadelphia and beyond.
Significant Legal Victories
Workplace injuries range from broken limbs to those involving more severe brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, even death. Among Kline & Specter's legal victories for working men and women are several with spectacular settlements or jury verdicts. They are:
- 2003: $36.4 million settlement for a worker killed in an explosion at a Delaware oil refinery. Considered the largest settlement for a single-victim fatality ever reported in the United States.
- 2003: $7.9 million verdict for a Pittsburgh worker injured in a forklift fall. This case spanned seven years and had several appeals. (Drum)
- 2004: $19.1 million verdict for a woman struck by a van while working on a roadside construction job.
- 2008: $5.5 million verdict for the family of a man fatally shot while working at Hahnemann University Hospital. The hospital had failed to improve safety and security after an armed robbery at the same booth only 12 days earlier. (Palmer)
- 2007: $8 million settlement for a worker killed in a fall at a Manayunk paper mill. The case involved a lengthy dispute over which corporations were responsible. (Green)
- 2006: $3 million verdict for a Philadelphia ironworker injured in a stairwell fall after temporary lighting failed at a construction site. (McCormick 1 | 2)
- 2006: $1.7 million settlement for a Lehigh County ironworker severely injured in a fall at a cold storage facility.
- 2002: $4.4 million settlement for a man crushed to death in a crane accident. (Yankosky)
- 1995: $1.25 million settlement for a Philadelphia hotel employee injured by a malfunctioning elevator. Among one of Kline & Specter’s first victories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do Immediately After a Workplace Injury?
First, inform your employer about the injury as soon as possible. Then, seek medical attention to ensure your health and safety. It's crucial to document all aspects of the incident, including how it happened and the extent of your injuries. Keeping detailed records will support your claim and help ensure you receive the appropriate benefits and compensation.
What Benefits Are Covered by Workers' Compensation?
Workers' compensation typically provides coverage for various benefits, including medical expenses related to the injury, compensation for lost wages during recovery, and costs associated with rehabilitation. Additionally, it may offer benefits for long-term disabilities and support for vocational retraining if you're unable to return to your previous job.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers' Compensation Claim?
The time limit to file a claim varies by state, but it's generally within a year of the injury or diagnosis of a work-related illness. Consult our law firm for specifics related to your situation.
Can My Workplace Fire Me if I File a Workers' Compensation Claim?
No, it is against the law for an employer to terminate or retaliate against an employee for filing a workers' compensation claim.
What If My Claim Is Denied?
If your claim is denied, don’t lose hope. You still have the right to appeal the decision. An experienced workplace injury lawyer can help you navigate the appeals process and fight for your rights.
Workman’s Compensation Attorneys at Kline & Specter, PC
Kline & Specter provides free and confidential evaluations of potential cases. Kline & Specter handles cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. For cases outside those states, the law firm works with local attorneys in each state as applicable. We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured workers and securing substantial verdicts and settlements for our clients. Call 215-772-1000 to find out if you have a valid claim.
Resources
CDC Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2004
View the Tom Kline interview about "cancer clusters" on Good Day Philadelphia on Fox TV, 3/8/07
