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Highway Workers

Highway construction zones are extremely hazardous, and despite safety precautions, the highway workers who maintain and repair our roads are at risk every day when they set out to do their jobs.

Besides using potentially dangerous power tools and heavy equipment, they work alongside highway traffic, which in the case of an accident can mean catastrophic injuries that require costly hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation. In severe cases some workers do not survive their injuries.

Hazards for Highway Workers

Some of the many hazards faced by highway workers include:

• Defective tools or machinery
• Improperly maintained equipment
• Drunk drivers
• Distracted drivers – including cellphone use and texting
• Speeding drivers

Common Injuries Suffered by Highway Workers include:

• Broken bones from slip and falls
• Hand-arm vibration syndrome from use of vibrating power tools
• Traumatic brain injuries from struck-by accidents
• Spinal cord injuries from highway accidents
• Neck and backinjuries from falls
• Heat stress injuries from working long shifts in hot conditions without shade

Keeping Highway Workers Safe

Pennsylvania has many regulations to protect highway workers in work zones. All work zones must be designated as such, and be equipped with signs and lights that flash when the work area is in use and workers are present. If the work zone is on a Pennsylvania interstate, the entrance to the work zone must be equipped with a speed-monitoring sign that flashes a driver’s speed as they approach.

Drivers are required to use headlights when entering a work zone. They may have their license revoked for fifteen days if they are caught driving more than 11 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Although fines are doubled for many traffic violations, unfortunately this does not deter many people from failing to obey posted speed limits and yield signs. Highway workers suffer the consequences in the form of serious injuries and fatalities.

Compensation for Injured Highway Workers

Depending on the type of injuries and the circumstances of the work accident, there may be several options available to highway workers for compensation for injuries. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act requires all employers to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance, which may provide an injured employee with some or all of the following benefits:

• Wage-loss benefits for total or partial disability
• Medical benefits for care including hospital treatment and service, medicine, supplies, orthopedic appliances and prostheses
• Death benefits paid to the surviving dependents of a worker who suffers a fatality
• Specific loss benefits for loss of the use of limbs or digits, vision, hearing, or for permanent disfigurement

If you were injured in a work accident that was due to negligence on the part of someone other than your employer, such as another company responsible for work being done in the work zone, the manufacturer of defective equipment, or a negligent automobile driver – you may be able to file a third-party claim. This would entitle you to additional damages, such as mental and physical suffering, loss of companionship in the case of a wrongful death, and punitive damages.

Every case is unique. In order to receive the maximum compensation available for the circumstances of your situation, it is best to consult with an experienced Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyer who can explain all your legal options.