Common Causes for Workers’ Compensation Claims in Wilkes-Barre

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has a diverse economy that includes healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, and service industries, each presenting unique workplace hazards that can lead to workers’ compensation claims. As a major city in northeastern Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre’s workforce faces various occupational risks that can result in injuries, illnesses, and the need for workers’ compensation benefits. Understanding the most common causes of workplace injuries in the area can help workers recognize their rights and know when to seek legal assistance to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Slip, trip, and fall accidents represent one of the most frequent causes of workers’ compensation claims in Wilkes-Barre across virtually every industry. These incidents can occur in office buildings, retail establishments, healthcare facilities, and manufacturing plants throughout the area. Wet floors from cleaning or weather conditions, uneven surfaces, loose carpeting, inadequate lighting, and cluttered walkways all contribute to these preventable accidents.

In Wilkes-Barre’s healthcare sector, which employs thousands of workers at facilities like Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, slip and fall accidents often occur in patient rooms, hallways, and cafeterias where spills are common. Retail workers face similar hazards, particularly during Pennsylvania’s harsh winter months when customers track in snow and ice, creating slippery conditions near entrances and throughout stores.

Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries

Overexertion injuries, including those caused by lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy objects, are extremely common in Wilkes-Barre’s workforce. These injuries often affect the back, shoulders, and neck, and can range from minor strains to serious herniated discs requiring surgery. Healthcare workers frequently suffer these injuries when moving patients, while warehouse and retail employees are at risk when handling inventory and merchandise.

Repetitive motion injuries, also known as repetitive stress injuries, develop over time from performing the same motions repeatedly. Office workers in Wilkes-Barre’s business district may develop carpal tunnel syndrome from computer use, while manufacturing workers can suffer from tendonitis and other repetitive motion disorders. These injuries can be particularly challenging because they often develop gradually, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly when the injury occurred.

Machinery and Equipment Accidents

Despite safety regulations and training programs, machinery and equipment accidents continue to cause serious workplace injuries in Wilkes-Barre’s industrial and manufacturing facilities. These accidents can involve everything from small power tools to large industrial equipment and often result in severe injuries, including amputations, crush injuries, and burns.

Construction workers in the area face particular risks from heavy machinery, power tools, and equipment malfunctions. The ongoing development and renovation projects throughout Wilkes-Barre create numerous opportunities for equipment-related accidents. Even seemingly simple equipment like forklifts in warehouses and delivery facilities can cause devastating injuries when proper safety protocols aren’t followed or when equipment isn’t properly maintained.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Workers whose jobs require driving or who are injured while driving for work purposes frequently file workers’ compensation claims in the Wilkes-Barre area. This includes delivery drivers, sales representatives, healthcare workers traveling between facilities, and anyone injured in a vehicle while conducting business. The mountainous terrain and challenging weather conditions in northeastern Pennsylvania increase the risk of work-related motor vehicle accidents.

Commercial truck drivers and delivery personnel face particular risks on Interstate 81 and other major routes that pass through the Wilkes-Barre area. These accidents often result in serious injuries due to the size and weight of the commercial vehicles involved.

Workplace Violence and Assault

Unfortunately, workplace violence has become an increasingly common cause of workers’ compensation claims in Wilkes-Barre. Healthcare workers, retail employees, social services workers, and those working in customer service roles face heightened risks of assault by patients, customers, or coworkers. Hospital emergency rooms, psychiatric facilities, and retail establishments are particularly vulnerable to these incidents.

Security personnel, law enforcement officers, and those working in high-crime areas also face significant risks of workplace violence. These incidents can result in both physical injuries and psychological trauma, requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Exposure to Hazardous Substances

Workers in various industries in Wilkes-Barre may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, toxic substances, or other dangerous materials that can cause immediate injury or long-term health problems. This includes healthcare workers exposed to infectious diseases, cleaning staff working with chemical products, and industrial workers handling toxic materials.

Occupational diseases resulting from long-term exposure to hazardous substances can be particularly challenging workers’ compensation cases because the connection between exposure and illness may not be immediately apparent and can take years to develop.

Falls from Heights

Construction workers, maintenance personnel, and others whose jobs require working at elevated heights face significant risks of serious injury from falls. Even relatively short falls can result in severe injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage. Proper safety equipment and training are essential, but accidents still occur due to equipment failure, inadequate safety measures, or human error.

Navigating Workers’ Compensation Claims

Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide benefits to injured workers, but the process can be complex and challenging to navigate alone. Employers and insurance companies may attempt to deny claims, minimize benefits, or pressure workers to return to work before they’re medically ready.

Common issues in workers’ compensation claims include disputes over whether an injury is work-related, disagreements about the extent of disability, delays in medical treatment approval, and inadequate wage loss benefits. Insurance companies often use their own doctors to evaluate injured workers, potentially leading to biased assessments that underestimate the severity of injuries.

How Munley Law Can Help

At Munley Law, we understand the challenges that injured workers in Wilkes-Barre face when dealing with workers’ compensation claims. Our experienced attorneys have successfully handled thousands of workers’ compensation cases and know how to fight for the benefits our clients deserve.

We help clients navigate the complex workers’ compensation system, ensure they receive proper medical treatment, fight for fair wage loss benefits, and appeal denied claims. Our team works closely with medical experts and vocational specialists to build strong cases that accurately reflect the impact of workplace injuries on our clients’ lives and earning capacity.

If you’ve been injured at work in Wilkes-Barre, don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Contact Munley Law at 570-399-0406 or visit our office at 1170 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, to discuss your workers’ compensation claim and learn how we can help you secure the benefits and medical care you need to recover and move forward with your life.