A 35-year-old worker was seriously injured when he was crushed below the waist at the Bailey Mine in Green County, Pennsylvania, according to a recent report by the Associated Press. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has been working with federal mine safety officials to investigate the accident.
The dangers of the mining industry are well known. By their very nature, mines are susceptible to cave in or collapse. Mine worker safety has unarguably improved in the last century; however, the industry remains one of the riskiest for workers in America.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration reported 36 mining fatalities in 2012, down from 37 the previous year. The rate of deaths and injuries has fallen among mine workers in recent years, though exposure to toxic substances and other dangers continue to put miners at risk.
Miners are typically a tough group. While this is certainly a quality to be admired, it can also prevent a worker from seeking medical assistance for an injury or illness
If you have been injured in a mining accident or are concerned that workplace exposure to toxic substances may be making you sick, don’t put off a trip to the doctor. It could save your life.
If you have been injured or become ill as a result of working in a mine, you may be entitled to benefits through the Worker’s Compensation, but you must report your injury or illness in a timely manner to preserve your right to benefits.
Although the workers’ compensation system is intended to protect injured workers and their families, it can be difficult to navigate. If you have questions or concerns about your legal rights to compensation, contact the workplace injury lawyers at Shor & Levin, the Bulldog Lawyers, at 866-462-8553 or use our online contact form.
