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Pennsylvania workplace fatalities

On Behalf of | Nov 14, 2014 | Workers' Compensation

Every year, Pennsylvanians lose their lives as a result of work-related accidents. When such an accident occurs, the families of those who are killed due to a work accident may wonder if they can seek compensation for the loss of their loved one. Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation law provides that the families of employees who are killed in a work-related accident may be able to recover compensation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, preliminary data for 2012 demonstrated that 163 people were killed due to workplace accidents in Pennsylvania for the year. Although the numbers do reflect a decrease from those of 2011, they also demonstrate that fatalities due to employment continue to occur at alarming numbers. Nationally, 4,384 people were killed in 2012 while working, a statistic that demonstrates that workplace fatalities are not only problematic in Pennsylvania but also nationally as well.

For those killed in Pennsylvania in 2012, 60 percent died in transportation incidents or in contact with equipment or objects. Transportation-related fatalities accounted for 63 deaths, which is the largest number of fatalities. Across industries, the construction industry accounted for the most deaths of any sector, resulting in 29 total fatalities.

When people are killed in an accident while they are working, their families may be able to recover funeral and burial expenses. Recoverable compensation may also be had for the worker’s lost income. Employers are mandated to participate in the state’s workers’ compensation program in order to provide for workers and their families in the event a workplace accident occurs. When people are killed, their families may wish to file a workers’ compensation claim to recover the financial losses. A workers’ compensation attorney may be able to help with filing a claim.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Workplace Fatalities in Pennsylvania – 2012”, November 11, 2014

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