A worker performing cosmetic work during a three-home renovation in South Philadelphia was critically injured in an explosion at one of the homes. The accident occurred on July 26 at 428 Daly St. The home where the blast occurred was one of three row houses undergoing extensive electrical, plumbing, heating and construction work.
According to unconfirmed reports, the injured man apparently lit a cigarette in the basement just before the explosion. The force of the blast propelled him outside, where he was found in a pile of rubble. He was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with severe burns and later transferred to Temple University, where he remains in critical condition. Four adults and three children were also injured in the blast. They were treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for minor injuries and released.
According to a statement by the mayor of Philadelphia, there had been no prior reports of natural gas odor; safety inspections by city inspectors just days before showed all work was up to code; and no violations had been reported. As of July 30, 28 homes on Daly St. remained evacuated. All but six were expected to reopen by the end of the day.
A workers’ compensation attorney may be able to help Pennsylvania workers who have been injured as a result of a workplace accident with filing a claim. An attorney, through the use of extensive resources such as investigators and industry authorities, may be able to accurately reconstruct the details of the accident for purposes of determining eligibility for compensation of possible lost wages and medical costs. If the worker has been injured to the extent that he or she can no longer work, that person may also be entitled to payments for permanent disability.
Source: Philly.com, “Nutter: Work on Daly Street home was up to code “, David Gambacorta, July 31, 2013