Industrial workplaces are among some of the most dangerous jobsites across the country. An industrial worker in neighboring New Jersey knows the perils of this line of work all too well. The 30-year-old was on the job at a metal plant when an accident in Aug. of this year left him lodged between two rail cars. The man suffered serious wounds that required huge amounts of blood to be transfused in addition to 30 surgical procedures in four months.

The injured worker is thankful for his life and continued recovery of his health this holiday season. A local report details his newfound advocacy for blood donation, stating that post-recovery he plans on being a regular, lifetime donor. He also spoke of the trauma of the accident itself, and his perseverance through the pain and recovery.

However, the report makes no mention of the financial struggle that can very often result from industrial accidents in New Jersey, Pennsylvania or elsewhere. When a worker is seriously injured, they will be unable to return to work for an extended, sometimes indefinite, period of time, which means they are not bringing in an income. Further, the injury can yield extensive medical bills.

Thankfully, workers' compensation benefits should work to alleviate these financial stressors when accidents of this nature occur in Pennsylvania, by covering medical expenses and supplementing lost income. Further, depending on if there is evidence of negligence on behalf of a third-party that contributed to the accident, that third party could also be held liable and the worker could be entitled to additional financial compensation as well.

Source: The Jersey Journal, "Bayonne man who survived workplace accident supports blood drive in Jersey City today," Ana Ferrer, Dec. 18, 2012

• To learn more about the financial recovery process following a workplace injury, please refer to our Pennsylvania industrial accident page.