Montgomery & Bucks County Workers' Compensation Law Blog

An International Wax plant in Smethport, Pa reportedly exploded on Monday, leaving a worker injured. Following the explosion, the employee was reportedly treated for injuries at a local hospital and then released.  Whenever a workplace explosion occurs, authorities must conduct a thorough investigation.  

The explosion was so large that it significantly damaged a filter house, destroyed another building, and moderately damaged five other buildings.  It is remarkable that only one employee out of the roughly 130 that work at the plant was injured. In this case, the explosion investigation evidence suggested that it was simply an accident.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of work-related deaths among oilfield workers has significantly increased over the last several years. Specifically, a total of 545 oilfield workers died between 2008 and 2012 when the fracking boom was occurring.

Fracking, as many readers know, is the name for the process by which natural gas is extracted from shale deposits. The industry is big here in Pennsylvania, with the Marcellus shale being a major site for fracking in the state. In Pennsylvania, the number of oil field deaths increased 300 percent from the five year period prior to 2008-2012.

No one wants to deal with a debilitating work-related injury or illness. After all, many working families depend on a regular stream of income to make ends meet. Getting injured on the job seemingly disrupts a person's earning potential. However, Pennsylvania residents can rest easy knowing that state workers' compensation laws cover nearly every worker.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, employers within the state are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance for all of their employees. This means that an individual who suffers an injury or illness as a result of work-related duties can seek financial coverage through the insurance policy.