Sanitation workers provide a valuable service, keeping the community clean of debris while also protecting citizens from waste and hazards that can exist when an area is not sanitary.
What many people may not know is that sanitation work is actually dangerous, between coming in contact with hazardous chemicals, lifting and throwing heavy cans or barrels as well as risks due to working near heavy traffic areas.
When a sanitation worker is injured on the job in Pennsylvania, even if they work for a municipality, they are eligible for workers compensation.
Common Sanitation Workplace Injuries
According to sanitation work injury attorneys in Pennsylvania, there are some injuries that are more common among sanitation workers than others.
Injuries that have been reported by sanitation workers include:
- Injuries to back and neck
- Crush injury
- Electric shock
- Falling from equipment
- Failure of equipment
- Lifting injures
- Repetitive movement injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Toxic exposure chemicals
- Vehicle accidents
Preventable Accidents
In many cases, the injuries sustained could have been prevented with the use of safety equipment, safer driving or improper procedures that lead to injury.
Although the law prevents you from filing a personal injury claim against your employer for a workplace injury in most cases, if you can prove that your company or another person was negligent and that the accident that caused your injury was due to their negligence, you may be eligible for more than just workers compensation.
Contact Sanitation Work Injury Attorneys in Pennsylvania
After a workplace injury while performing duties as a sanitation worker, it is important to contact an attorney to learn what rights you may have. You are eligible for workers compensation, even if the accident was your fault.
This means you should receive lost wages, medical expenses and other benefits. Unfortunately, employers often incorrectly compensate for lost wages, which is why you need an attorney to look out for your best interests in any workplace injury.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury while working as a sanitation worker, you need to contact Lundy Law today to learn what rights you may have. You can arrange for an initial, no obligation consultation by completing the simple form you will find on our website or by calling 1-800-Lundy Law. We’ve helped people just like you get the compensation they were entitled to under the law.