Most employers in the state of Pennsylvania are required to purchase workers' compensation policies. These policies provide benefits to some workers who are hurt while completing tasks associated with their jobs. While these benefits may make the recovery period easier financially, the injured person may have legal recourse as well. A worker, who was hurt due to the negligence of another person or entity, may decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party.

A resident of Pennsylvania, who was a truck driver, was hurt in a workplace accident involving a pressurized tank. He said that his hand was injured when an improperly replaced cap, popped off and hit him. Air was not bled from the tank before replacing the cap as was the policy.

He said his right hand was fractured near his thumb and that he underwent surgery to repair the damage. In the course of the surgery, screws and pins were inserted. He said the injuries were permanent and in addition to accruing medical bills, is living with pain that is constant.

The man recently filed a lawsuit against the two companies whose workers were responsible for capping the pressurized tank. In his complaint he alleges that both businesses failed to properly train the workers on how to operate pressure valves. He is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages.

Because this is something separate from a workers' compensation claim, for the best result in a lawsuit such as this one most generally find it beneficial to work with a lawyer who handles personal injury lawsuits.

Source: The Pennsylvania Record, "Injured truck driver blames accident on inexperienced workers," Jim Boyle, June 13, 2014