Injured While Working at Philadelphia International Airport? Workers’ Compensation Rights for Airport Workers
Airport workers injured at Philadelphia International Airport may be eligible for Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits. Coverage can include medical treatment, lost wages, and other benefits for work-related injuries, including lifting injuries, slips and falls, and accidents involving vehicles or equipment. Report the injury promptly and seek medical treatment to help protect your rights.
Workers at Philadelphia International Airport face uniquely hazardous work conditions due to the heavy machinery and physical labor required to successfully operate an airport. If you were injured while working at Philadelphia International Airport, you may qualify for Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits.
Whether you are a baggage handler, ramp agent, mechanic, or another airport employee, understanding your rights after a Philadelphia airport worker injury is critical. This blog will outline the essential steps for an injured employee, explain the common risks associated with airport employment, and discuss what you may be entitled to as an injured worker in Pennsylvania.
Who Works at Philadelphia International Airport?
Philadelphia International Airport employs over 18,000 workers across a wide variety of occupations. Some of these essential positions include:
- Ramp Agents
- Mechanics
- Electricians
- Carpenters
- Painters
- Baggage Handlers
- Ground Crew Members
- Security Personnel
- Wheelchair Attendants
- Retail Employees
- Food Service Employees
- Maintenance and Custodial Staff
- And many more.
If you are injured on the job, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act is designed to provide you with both medical and financial support. To protect your right to benefits, it is essential that you promptly report your injury to your employer.
Ideally, this report should:
- Be in writing;
- Describe the nature of the injury in detail;
- State when the injury occurred;
- Identify where the injury occurred;
- Explain how the injury occurred.
Common Injuries to Airport Workers
As mentioned previously, airport employment presents many unique hazards capable of causing a work injury. Airport employees routinely work alongside heavy machinery, moving vehicles, large aircraft, and changing weather conditions, all while performing physically demanding work.
As a result, some of the most common injuries to airport workers include:
- Back injuries from repetitive lifting of cargo and luggage;
- Neck and shoulder strains from overhead lifting;
- Stress-induced injuries;
- Slips and falls;
- Electrical burns;
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or other heights;
- Cuts and lacerations from equipment
Common Causes of Airport Workplace Injuries
Heavy Lifting
Many airport jobs require employees to repeatedly lift heavy luggage, equipment, and supplies throughout the entirety of a shift. Over time, repetitive lifting can manifest into back injuries, shoulder strains, herniated discs, and many other conditions.
Slipping, Tripping, and Falling
Airport ramps are often exposed to weather conditions such as ice, rain, and snow, which can make the work environment slippery and create hazardous conditions. Inside the airport terminal, wet floors and spills can also increase the risk of slips and falls.
Vehicle Accidents
Airport employees regularly work around shuttle buses, fuel trucks, baggage loaders, and several other ground support vehicles. With all of these vehicles operating around airport employees, accidents can occur.
Aircraft Equipment
Employees working near the aircraft are subject to additional risks from cargo doors, baggage loading equipment, jet bridges, and other heavy machinery.
Exposure to Weather
Airport employees frequently work outdoors and may spend hours in heavy snow, high winds, and extreme temperatures. These conditions can create hazardous conditions that may lead to a workplace injury.
What Benefits Can Injured Airport Workers Receive Through Philadelphia International Airport Workers’ Compensation?
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation provides benefits to injured employees regardless of who was responsible for the work accident.
Depending on your specific circumstance, injured airport workers in Pennsylvania may qualify for the following:
- Medical Expenses: Workers’ compensation covers the cost of treatment for job-related injuries or illnesses. This could range from a one-time visit to ongoing care, depending on the severity of the injury.
- Lost Wages: Injured workers in Pennsylvania generally receive lost-wage benefits equal to about two-thirds of their average weekly wage.
- Funeral and Death Benefits: If a fatal workplace accident occurs, workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania pays for funeral costs and provides survivor benefits to the deceased’s spouse or dependents.
What Should You Do Following a Workplace Injury at Philadelphia International Airport?
1) Report the Injury as Soon as Possible
Although Pennsylvania law generally allows up to 120 days to report a workplace injury to your employer, immediate notice will help you avoid certain factual disputes and potentially begin receiving benefits faster.
2) Get Medical Treatment
Make sure to treat your injury with a healthcare provider. You can receive medical care at an emergency room or an urgent care facility. When you receive treatment, make sure to describe your injury in detail and explain exactly how it occurred.
3) File a Claim
After you report your workplace injury, your employer should notify its insurance carrier to begin the workers’ compensation process. Unfortunately, workers’ compensation claims are often contested by the employer and may be delayed or outright denied. If your claim is denied or certain benefits are refused, you should immediately contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney for assistance with your claim.
Injured While Working at Philadelphia International Airport? Let Us Help.
If you or someone you know has been injured while working at Philadelphia International Airport, don’t wait to get legal advice. An experienced airport worker injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine what workers’ compensation benefits may be available after a workplace injury at Philadelphia International Airport.
Partnering with an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney can make all the difference—especially if your claim has been delayed or denied.
Being injured at work is stressful, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Stern & Cohen, we represent injured workers across Pennsylvania and offer free consultations for injured airport workers. We will help you understand your rights, guide you through the workers’ compensation process, and pursue the full extent of the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to under Pennsylvania law.
If you were injured while working at Philadelphia International Airport and have questions about your rights, contact Stern & Cohen today for a free consultation.
FAQs
Can airport workers receive workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Airport workers in Pennsylvania are generally covered by workers’ compensation benefits if they suffer a work-related injury or illness. This may include baggage handlers, ramp agents, mechanics, maintenance workers, security personnel, food service employees, and other airport staff. Workers’ compensation can provide coverage for medical treatment, lost wages, and other benefits regardless of who caused the accident.
What should I do if I am injured while working at Philadelphia International Airport?
If you are injured while working at Philadelphia International Airport, you should report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and seek medical treatment. Be sure to explain how the injury occurred and keep records of your treatment. Prompt reporting can help protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits and reduce the likelihood of disputes regarding your claim.
Can I get workers’ compensation for a back injury caused by lifting luggage at the airport?
Yes. Repetitive lifting of luggage, cargo, and equipment can lead to back injuries, herniated discs, muscle strains, and other conditions. If your injury occurred while performing your job duties, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for medical treatment and lost wages.
What happens if my airport worker injury claim is denied?
A denied workers’ compensation claim does not necessarily mean you are ineligible for benefits. Many claims are denied because of disputes regarding how the injury occurred, whether it was work-related, or the extent of the injury. Injured airport workers have the right to challenge a denial and pursue benefits through the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help protect your rights and guide you through the appeals process.