If you work in a warehouse, you know how strenuous that type of work is with heavy lifting, dealing with large pieces of equipment and shelves stacked with items that can topple easily. Accidents in warehouses are common and, because the items you are dealing with are often extremely heavy, those injuries can be very severe.

When you are injured while working in a warehouse, you may not be sure what rights you have or where to turn. A warehouse worker injury should be managed quickly to keep the injury from becoming worse over time and to insure that you get the protections you are provided under the law.

Workers’ Compensation for Warehouse Accidents

Under Pennsylvania law, every employer is required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. This coverage is designed to provide compensation for lost wages, pay medical bills and help you recover from your warehouse worker injury without added stress.

If you are unable to work, you may be concerned about your family finances, and that can lead to stress that can inhibit healing. Workers’ compensation is designed to eliminate that stress so you can focus on recovery.

Types of Warehouse Worker Accidents and Injuries

Almost any type of accident can occur in a warehouse, but some are more likely to cause injury than others.

The top accidents that lead to injury in warehouses include:

• Heavy equipment accidents – people become too comfortable using heavy equipment like forklifts. This can lead them to be careless, leading to injuries. There have been severe injuries when forklifts overturn, crushing someone underneath. Employees may also ride on the machinery improperly and are injured when they fall. In addition, employees can be struck by heavy equipment if they or the driver are not paying attention.
• Slips or Trips – floors often have hazardous materials on the floor, such as sawdust, liquid or oils. In addition, there may be steps or ridges on the warehouse floor or boxes stacked in aisles. There are also often dark areas throughout the warehouse that can lead to tripping or falling, leading to injuries like broken bones, head trauma or muscle strains.
• Falls – loading docks are a common location for falls, especially when employees are not vigilant about safety. In addition, warehouse workers often have high floors with large drops between them. If there are no railings or guards, there is a risk of falling which can also lead to broken bones, head trauma and other severe injuries.
• Exposure to Harmful Substances – many times warehouses store harmful substances. If there is a spill, employees may suffer respiratory damage, burns or other injuries.
• Improper Lifting – warehouses often provide equipment designed to protect employees when they are lifting heavy packages. When they do not provide such equipment or the employee fails to use the equipment properly, strains of the back, neck, arms and legs can occur. There can also be joint damage from improper ergonomics.
• Falling objects – because warehouses stack materials on high shelves, it is possible for those packages to become unstable and fall. If they fall on an employee, they can cause head trauma, neck and back injuries or even death.

Worker’s Comp Benefits Available to Injured Warehouse Workers

Like all employees in the state of Pennsylvania, warehouse worker injuries are covered under the workers’ compensation law.

Even if you contributed to the injury in some way, your employer is required to provide you with workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include lost wages and medical payments for treatment for your injury.

Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered a warehouse worker injury, you are entitled to workers’ compensation. Contact our attorneys at Lundy Law to learn what steps you should take to receive the benefits you are provided under the law. You can arrange for your initial consultation by calling 1-800-Lundy Law or completing the easy form on our website.