There are many industries in Pennsylvania where workers are exposed to dangerous tools on the job every day. But as long as all correct safety precautions are taken and all employees remain vigilant, accidents and injuries can be avoided. Sadly, this isn’t always the case and in the blink of an eye, a life can be forever changed.
One Person’s Carelessness Harms Another At Work
The plaintiff, in this case, was working for a company that specializes in sharpening kitchen tools, including meat slicers. She had been instructed to go to a nursing home and pick up their kitchen’s slicer. At first, everything went as planned and one of the home’s employees agreed to help her lift the large tool into the back of the truck.
For unknown reasons, the person helping her lift the slicer had brought their dog to the home and decided it would be a good idea to walk the dog outside as well. While they were lifting the tool into the truck, they began to play with the dog, putting the slicer at an odd angle. It fell and the blade directly hit the plaintiff’s right hand.
Even though the blade was supposed to be in need of sharpening, it still caused incredible damage to her hand. Her index finger had to be amputated and although they were able to save her thumb, the joint had to be fused together and she is unable to bend it normally. Other parts of her hand sustained further tissue and nerve damage and in total, she has had five different surgeries to try and repair the damage and regain use.
She has been unable to return to her previous job and still suffers from pain regularly. In order to obtain compensation for her injuries and monetary losses, she pursued legal action against both the nursing home and their employee.
The case went to trial and after some deliberation, a jury awarded her $1.6 million in damages.
What Are Damages?
Damages is the term used for the monetary sum awarded to a plaintiff at the end of a trial. This can include coverage for the plaintiff’s medical expenses, lost past and future earnings, physical pain and suffering, and even emotional trauma.
The damages awarded in every case are different and are based off the type of injury that was sustained, how it will impact the worker’s ability to continue on in their chosen career, and the long-lasting physical impact the injury will have.
Is It Always Possible To Name Multiple Defendants?
No, but frequently, there is more than one party responsible for the plaintiff’s losses. The best way to determine who is responsible for the accident and subsequent injuries is to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney.
Our Approach: How We Can Help You
For more than four decades, our team has been helping injured Pennsylvania workers and their loved ones get the compensation they need to move on with their lives after a work-related injury. From the moment that you contact us, you can be sure that we will:
- Perform a thorough investigation. Every case needs evidence to support the plaintiff’s claims. This might include medical records,
witness statements, and even video surveillance. - Handle the paperwork. From filling the initial injury report to handling the insurance paperwork – we’ve got our clients covered.
- Deal with a benefits dispute. Frequently the insurance payouts our clients receive from workers’ compensation in addition to their lawsuit are not correct. We know how insurance companies operate and are fully aware of the tactics they use to reduce the amount paid out in claims.
- Inform you of all legal benefits available. In most instances, the injured worker is also eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit or even a social security disability claim
- Represent you in court. If an appeal has been made, it is likely that a hearing will be scheduled. When this happens, it is best to have an attorney on your side who can make the arguments on your behalf.
You can see examples of our recent settlements here.
Our Fees
We know how difficult it is to imagine hiring an attorney while you are already struggling to pay the bills. That’s why our first consultation is always free and we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that our fees come directly out of the compensation we obtain for you. If you don’t get paid, we don’t either.
