Reading Factory Worker Injury Lawyer

Reading is the historical home of the famous Reading Railroad, the county seat for Berks County, and one of PA’s biggest cities. Industry is still an economic lynchpin in Reading and the city’s manufacturing employers are among some of the area’s largest. Reading’s versatile workforce is one of the reasons factories choose Reading as their base of operations. And Reading’s factory workers are essential to the success of local factories.

However, factory work is notoriously dangerous. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed while at work at a factory in Reading, West Reading, or anywhere in Berks County, you want to make sure you hire the most experienced, competent Reading factory worker injury attorneys to fight for the financial compensation you deserve. For six decades, Munley Law has been helping injured factory workers throughout Pennsylvania after a terrible accident. Our Reading workers’ compensation lawyers work hard to make sure your rights are protected. Habla Espanol.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a state-sponsored insurance program that provides financial compensation for workers who have been hurt on the job.

This state-mandated workers’ insurance was instituted by the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act of 1914 and since then has acted as a safety net for Pennsylvania factory workers and other individuals who become injured or sick as a result of job-related duties or conditions. Workers’ compensation benefits exist to pay for medical expenses and lost wages when you suffer a work-related injury or become sick as a direct result of working conditions.

All PA employers are obligated by the Commonwealth to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Most employees are covered by workers’ compensation regardless of their status as part-time or full-time and regardless of their immigration status.

If you or a loved one has been injured at work, call an experienced Reading workers’ comp lawyer at Munley Law today. We know the law and we will fight for your right to financial protection. Call us for a free case evaluation today. We don’t charge any fee until we win your case.

What Are the Most Common Reading Factory Worker Injuries?

Factory work can be hazardous. There are many different dangers for even the most careful workers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics lists some of the most common risks and injuries for factory workers.

• Repetitive motion injuries. Repetitive motion injuries occur when a person repeats the same motion many times during the course of a regular working day. When you repeat the same motion over and over, this can cause injury to the joints, tendons, muscles, and nerves. Repetitive motion injures can cause a lot of pain and have a negative effect not only on work but general enjoyment of life.
• Being crushed or stuck between falling objects or other objects. Many severe injuries are caused by this type of accident, including traumatic brain injury and loss of limbs or other organs or body parts.
• Exposure to hazardous materials. Factory workers are at great risk of exposure to chemicals used in the manufacturing process, including cleaning agents and products used in the manufacturing process. Inhaling or coming into contact with harmful substances or contaminants can cause long-term illnesses and injury.
• Transportation accidents. Many factory worker injuries are caused by the equipment necessary to transport and store materials and products such as forklifts, trucks and more.
• Fires and explosions. Fires can become deadly fast. They are also far more dangerous when they break out in a plant with combustible materials. Further, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “workers in food manufacturing are more likely to be fatally injured and experience nonfatal injuries and illnesses than workers in private industry as a whole. Food manufacturing workers are also much more likely to suffer an injury requiring job transfer or restriction than one that requires days away from work.”
• Bodily injuries and overexertion. Factory work is physically demanding. Factory workers can be injured due to slip and falls, malfunctioning machinery, falling objects, extreme temperatures, and overturned equipment. They can also be burned or otherwise permanently disfigured by fires, explosions, being trapped between objects or by conveyor belts and more.
• Back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Bending, lifting, and moving heavy objects at work can lead to serious muscle strain, sprains, and injuries.

If you have been injured in a Reading PA factory accident or by factory working conditions, you have the right to file for PA workers’ compensation insurance.

Call or message the experienced Reading worker’s compensation attorneys at Munley Law today for a free consultation. We can explain your rights and help you file your workers’ compensation papers, follow up with your employer’s insurance company, and if necessary, take your case to court for your maximum compensation.

I Was Hurt at My Factory Job in Reading. What Do I Do Now?

First, notify your employer immediately — even if your injury seems minor. If you were injured while on the job, you have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits to help you recover lost wages and help you with your medical bills.

The notification of your injury should be made in writing and you should be sure your report includes the date and time of your injury and the circumstances under which your injury occurred. If you have already notified your employer verbally that you have been injured while on the job, you should also follow up with a written notification.

If you are suffering from an occupational illness or injury that occurred over a period of time from workplace conditions or repeated stress such as asthma or carpal tunnel syndrome, you must report this to your employer as soon as you receive your official diagnosis from your licensed medical provider.

Be sure to also:

• Show up for all of your medical appointments
• Keep copies of all of your medical records
• Keep track of all of your lost wages
• Hire an experienced Reading workers’ compensation lawyer at Munley Law.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover?

The Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act legally mandates these three main coverages for PA workers:

Medical Coverage

Medical coverage includes any medical costs relating to your injury. Medical coverage includes doctor visits, medical tests, emergency room visits, medication and even appliances and medical equipment and ongoing physical therapy, and other necessary medical treatment. There is no set dollar amount for medical coverage and it should cover your co-pays if there are any.

Lost Wages

If you are unable to work after an accident, you will receive a percentage of your wages, known as disability benefits. There are temporary benefits as well as permanent ones, depending on how long your injury or occupational disease prevents you from working.

“Specific Loss” Payments

If your work injury resulted in permanent scarring or disfigurement,  the loss of a limb, or impaired use of a body part or organ, you may be eligible for specific loss payments.

Unlike regular workers’ compensation, you do not need to miss work for specific loss payments. Specific loss benefits often result in a one-time payment.

Death Benefits

In addition to the three primary coverages for workers, if you have lost a loved one due to their workplace injury or illness, surviving dependents may be entitled to receive death benefits.

If you or a loved one has been injured or has become sick as a result of job-related duties or if a loved one has died as a result of workplace injuries or disease, call a Reading factory worker injury lawyer at Munley Law today. We will fight hard to help you receive the benefits you deserve.

Do all Workers’ Compensation Cases End in a Settlement?

Most worker’s compensation claims will end with an agreement between the worker and the employer’s insurance company that works best for all parties involved. You, your workers’ compensation lawyer, and the insurance company may come to a financial settlement that is agreed upon by all parties.

The settlement between the employee and their employer and the insurer is a compromise and usually means you can have your money faster and at a lower risk. Settlements can be lump sum payments or “structured,” which means you get your money over a period of time in multiple, regular payments. Both types of settlements have advantages and disadvantages. It’s always best to consult with your attorney about what works best for your case.

If for any reason, the parties involved cannot agree on a settlement, a workers’ compensation case can be sent to a judge for a ruling.

If your Reading workers comp case goes to court, make sure you have the most experienced workers comp lawyer by your side to ensure you receive the maximum benefits you are entitled to.

How Much Will a Workers’ Comp Attorney in Reading Cost?

A workplace injury or illness can be life-changing. Munley Law attorneys have more than 60 years of experience fighting for the hard-working people of PA. Let us help you put your life back together after a workplace injury.

Your consultation with a workers comp attorney is free and we charge you nothing until we win your case. This will allow you to recover from your injuries without worrying about affording an attorney to fight for your rights. Let us take care of your claim. Call Munley Law today or fill out our online form for your free case evaluation.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

606 Court St.
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 831-4234