You shouldn’t have to worry about being injured on the job. Unfortunately, workplace accidents happen frequently, and struck-by hazards account for many incidents. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists struck-by-object accidents as one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the United States.
Being struck by falling equipment or a flying object can cause catastrophic physical injuries and leave employees struggling to make ends meet as they recover. If you suffered a workplace injury after being struck by a hazard, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under Pennsylvania law.
The legal team at Calhoon & Kaminsky P.C. helps Pennsylvanians secure the money and benefits they deserve after suffering struck-by injuries at work. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation with a Harrisburg workers’ compensation lawyer.
What is a Struck by Hazard Accident?
Struck-by accidents occur in the workplace when an object or piece of equipment violently collides with an individual. These incidents are sometimes called “contact with object accidents.” When an object or piece of machinery or equipment strikes a worker, it can cause severe and potentially fatal injuries depending on the size and weight of the object. Even being hit by a small object can cause life-changing trauma.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes four common types of struck-by hazards:
- Struck by falling objects
- Struck by flying objects
- Struck by swinging objects
- Struck by same-level objects
Types of Objects that Can Strike and Injure Workers
Although any object can cause a struck-by accident in the workplace, some objects and pieces of equipment are more likely to cause significant injuries than others. Some of the most common struck-by hazards include:
- Heavy equipment
- Vehicles
- Boxes
- Hand tools
- Power tools
- Nails and nail guns
- Buckets
- Paint cans
- Loose masonry or boards
- Loads lifted by a crane or forklift
- Building materials
- Scrap material
According to the National Safety Council, struck-by-hazard accidents account for roughly 700 workplace deaths every year and hundreds of thousands of nonfatal injuries.
Common Workplace Injuries from Being Struck by an Object or Equipment
Being struck by an object or piece of equipment can cause devastating crushing, pinching, and striking injuries. Depending on the weight and velocity of the object, it may be nearly impossible to get out of the way before the object strikes, causing massive bodily trauma. Common struck-by injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Amputation
- Crushing injuries
- Paralysis
- Neck and spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Eye and facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Soft tissue damage
Seeking medical treatment immediately and following your physician’s orders is essential after a struck-by incident in the workplace. The emotional toll that these types of significant injuries can take on a person’s mental health can also be traumatic. If you experience signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), talk to a healthcare professional and your attorney.
What to Do After Being Struck by an Object at Work
Being struck by an object at work can be a frightening and shocking experience. However, it pays to keep calm and proactively protect yourself. Your actions immediately after a workplace accident can significantly impact your health and the strength of your workers’ compensation claim. You should:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Report the struck-by incident to your manager or supervisor as soon as possible.
- Consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
- Stick to your healthcare provider’s treatment plan.
- Avoid posting about the incident on social media.
- Keep all documentation of your medical expenses and lost wages.
Your health and safety should always come first. However, if you don’t report your workplace accident to your employer within Pennsylvania’s time limits, you could be ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Waiting longer than 120 days means you lose the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits.
Which Workers Are Most at Risk of Being Struck by an Object?
An object can strike any worker. However, some professions are more prone to struck-by hazards than others. Struck-by incidents are on OSHA’s list of four fatal hazards for the construction industry. Construction workers are susceptible to being struck by falling, flying, or rolling objects throughout work sites, whether it’s due to a crane coming loose, a falling power tool, accidental nail gun discharges, or an unguarded saw blade.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that struck-by accidents involving vehicles accounted for nearly 47 percent of all construction fatalities. In comparison, accidents involving falling objects account for almost 27 percent of struck-by accident fatalities.
Struck-by incidents most commonly impact:
- Construction workers
- Service industry employees
- Manufacturing workers
- Retail workers
- Transportation employees
No matter what industry you work in, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim seeking money for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages if you sustain a struck-by injury while performing your job duties.
How Can Employers Protect Workers from Struck-by Hazards?
Employers can prevent struck-by incidents by taking several common-sense steps, including:
- Offering personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats and safety devices
- Ensuring employees are properly trained in work zone safety protocols
- Employing qualifying supervisors on job sites
- Providing regular and updated safety training
- Properly maintaining all equipment and tools
- Completing regular safety inspections
- Correcting workplace hazards when notified about them
- Appropriately staffing the worksite
- Inspecting machines to ensure protective guards are functioning
Failing to maintain a reasonably safe work environment can have devastating consequences for employees.
Contact Our PA Workplace Accident Law Firm Now
Have you suffered a struck-by injury at work? Trust your claim and all the work that goes with it to the experienced legal team at Calhoon & Kaminsky P.C. We can manage the claim process for you from start to finish, giving you the time and space you need to recover from your injuries.
Contact our firm today for a free legal consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Harrisburg.
