Construction Worker Suffers Fatal Fall from Overpass After Tractor-Trailer Hits Bucket Truck
October 10, 2022
A construction worker fell to his death in the early morning of October 7th when his bucket truck on the Parkway East was struck by a passing tractor-trailer.
Construction Worker Killed in Tractor-Trailer Collision Accident on Parkway East
The construction worker, who has not yet been identified by authorities, was in the bucket of a bucket truck in the left lane of Interstate 376 in South Oakland. The bucket was extended out over the right lane when a tractor-trailer struck the bottom of the bucket truck around 3 am on the morning of Oct. 7. The impact caused the bucket to spin, throwing the worker out of the bucket and over the side of the overpass. The worker was taken to UPMC Mercy where he later died from his injuries. The accident shut down the Parkway East near the Forbes Avenue exit for several hours due to the investigation, with the interstate reopening later that morning. Authorities have yet to release details about what company the construction worker was working for or the company operating the tractor-trailer that caused the accident.
What Are the Rights of Construction Workers Who Are Injured or Killed on the Job?
A construction worker or other employee who suffers a work injury is typically entitled to receive benefits through the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system. Available workers’ comp benefits include:
- Medical benefits: Workers’ compensation pays for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation of a work injury, including hospital care, surgeries, diagnostic testing, doctor’s visits, prescriptions, purchases of mobility equipment, and physical/occupational rehab. Employers or their workers’ compensation insurers are entitled to maintain a list of providers that injured workers are required to see for covered treatment. If an employer does not have a list of approved providers or after 90 days of treating with an approved provider, a worker has the right to begin treating with any provider of their choice.
- Wage loss replacement: If a worker suffers a reduction in their income because of a work-related injury, including if the worker misses time on the job or if the worker takes a lower-paying modified-duty or part-time position in line with their medical restrictions, the worker may be entitled to receive two-thirds of their lost income based on their pre-injury average weekly wage, up to a maximum dollar amount established by law.
- Specific loss benefits: A worker who loses a body part or bodily function or the permanent use of all or part of a body party or bodily function, or who suffers a permanent, serious disfigurement to the head and neck area, may be entitled to a financial award.
In addition, if a worker is killed by a work-related injury, their dependents may be entitled to certain death benefits from workers’ compensation, including up to $3,000 towards funeral and burial expenses, as well as wage replacement benefits. Dependents can receive a percentage of the worker’s average weekly wage, with the specific percentage based on the number of dependents the worker had at the time of their death and the familial relationship of the dependent to the worker.
Pursuing a Third-Party Injury Claim for a Workplace Accident
Workers’ compensation does not compensate an injured worker for all their losses. But when a workplace accident is caused by a third party’s fault, such as when a motorist strikes a road construction worker, the worker may be entitled to pursue a third-party personal injury claim to recover compensation for expenses and losses such as:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Expenses of long-term care for permanent disabilities, including home health services, personal assistance services, or home renovations to install disability accommodations
- Full reimbursement of lost wages/income, as well as future lost earning capacity and employment benefits due to disability or impairment
- Physical pain
- Emotional trauma or distress
- Loss of quality of life
Contact a Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Discuss Your Pennsylvania Workplace Injury Case
A workplace injury can be devastating, particularly if it prevents you from returning to work for an extended period of time. Although Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation laws are supposed to provide you with reimbursement for medical expenses and replacement pay for missed time at work, it is not always easy to get the Workers’ Comp benefits you deserve. That is why you should speak with a knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation lawyer about your situation and get guidance throughout the claims process. The experienced Workers’ Compensation attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Western PA counties. Call (412) 766-1455 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation about your work injury case. Our main office is located at 3634 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Home visits can be arranged in certain situations.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
