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Philadelphia school employee struck by lightning

On Behalf of | Jul 8, 2013 | Firm News

An employee at a suburban Philadelphia reform school was apparently injured in a lightning strike while working outdoors on a baseball field. The workplace accidenttook place in Glen Mills, an area south of Philadelphia, when the worker was performing maintenance on the school’s outdoor field. Lightning apparently struck the worker, rendering him unconscious.

Emergency personnel were called to the school, whose employees confirmed that the worker had been struck by lightning and knocked out. By the time the ambulance arrived, however, the worker was able to walk to the vehicle and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released any information on the worker’s condition.

Lightning can be deadly, and workers are normally encouraged to seek shelter during times when it is likely to strike. Open fields are especially dangerous, so an employer who neglects to protect employees by keeping them inside during lightning-prone weather may be liable for damages suffered by a worker who is hit by lightning. These victims may be entitled to payments under workers’ compensation law.

A workers’ compensation attorney may assist employees who have suffered injuries from work-related accidents in collecting damages from their employers. Workers who are injured in accidents such as lightning strikes may be entitled to payment of their medical expenses and lost wages as a result of the incident. They may also be entitled to payment of permanent disability damages if they are injured in such a way that makes continuing their normal course of employment impossible. Workers’ compensation attorneys often assist employees in collecting payments from employers for these types of injuries.

Source: The Republic, “Employee reported injured by lightning strike on baseball field at Philly-area reform school”, June 24, 2013

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