JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined a Philadelphia-area roofer with 10 safety violations after the June 2013 death of an employee. The construction worker fell more than 45 feet from the roof of a Philadelphia church. The James J. McCullagh Roofing Company in Jenkintown will have to pay a $71,600 fine for failing to protect its employees from falls.

The citations include three “willful” and seven “serious” safety violations. Willful violations are safety violations that are committed intentionally or with voluntary disregard for safety laws. An example is requiring two employees to work from a platform designed to hold one person. Serious violations are safety violations where the employer knows (or should know) that there is a high risk of injury or death.

James J. McCullagh Roofing Company has 15 days to comply with OSHA regulations or to contest the citation.

Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation law prevents you from suing your employer, even if the employer caused your injury. This no-fault system is supposed to prevent a business from going bankrupt if an employee is injured.

However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages and other damages. In order to receive compensation from your employer, you must go through the Workers’ Compensation system. You may also be able to file a third-party lawsuit.

You can learn more about the rights of injured workers in our free guide, Your Guide To PA Workers’ Compensation or call Mednick, Mezyk & Kredo, P.C., at 888-807-WORK (9675).