When a worker is hurt in the course of his or her employment, the end result can be devastating for that worker as well as his or her family. When the injury is so serious that the worker needs time to heal and is unable work, it can be scary. The emotion of fear surrounding that period of time may even hamper that worker's recovery.

Workers who find themselves in this situation may be able to secure workers' compensation benefits during that period. To obtain them, the injured worker files a claim. When approved, the amount and period of time for which a worker will receive them depends on the severity of the injury.

It is possible that a worker who was injured in an explosion and fire at a wax plant located in the northwestern part of Pennsylvania, may seek these benefits. Though the injury the worker suffered was described as only minor, it is nonetheless possible that he or she could still be away from work for a while.

Unlike personal injury lawsuits where an injured person seeks compensation from a negligent party, establishing fault in workers’ compensation is not necessary. Instead, the focus is on the severity of the injury suffered as well as when it was incurred.

In is particular instance, which started in a filter plant, investigators indicate that the explosion was the result of an accident of some sort. Specifics surrounding the explosion were not provided but while the damages are being determined, the shipping operations were stopped.

Source: The Claims Journal, “Pennsylvania Wax Plant Fire Deemed Accidental,” May 8, 2014