Altoona Personal Injury Blog

Worker killed at Pennsylvania construction site

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith posted in construction accidents on Friday, October 11, 2019.

A man who worked for a firm in the area died at Pennsylvania work site where demolition was taking place. The man, who is from a neighboring state, was in his late thirties.

According to authorities, the man was working at the former site of a large building in Lehigh County. The building had been intentionally collapsed at the beginning of the summer, and he was part of a crew that had been assigned to clean up the wreckage. It was not clear how long the man had been assigned to this project when the fatal accident occurred.

The hazards of working on wind turbines

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith on Wednesday, October 9, 2019.

Not too long ago, wind energy generation and wind farms were rare. Now, Pennsylvania has many such facilities. If you were one of the workers who have to do electrical repairs or maintenance at dangerous heights on wind towers, you would naturally make sure you have the appropriate personal protective equipment and know exactly how to use it.

You might be part of a relatively new industry, but the risks you face are not new. Not only will you risk slip-and-fall accidents or being struck off your work platform by a piece of equipment, but your job will expose you to strong winds. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have safety standards specifically for wind turbine workers, compliance with general safety regulations is crucial.

Most drivers admit to at least one bad driving habit

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith posted in car accidents on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

A recent study found that the vast majority of drivers, around nine out of 10, admitted to engaging in at least one bad driving habit which the study classified as a "driving fail." Among the top 10 fails, the most common one was eating while driving. It seems intuitive enough that a person cannot use both hands to steer when the person is holding lunch or even a warm cup of coffee in one hand. Additionally, like any other distraction, eating takes a driver's eyes and mind off of the road.

However, around two out of three drivers admit to engaging in this behavior. Likewise, 58% admitted to carrying on a phone conversation behind the wheel and 55% admitted to messing with the radio or an electronic device in order to adjust music.

Pennsylvania making some progress with drunk driving deaths

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith posted in car accidents on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

According to a recent study, the efforts of lawmakers, police and safety advocates are paying off when it comes to reducing the number of deaths related to drunk driving in Pennsylvania. In 2000, 533 people died on Pennsylvania's roads because of a drunk driver. By 2017, that number had dropped to 314. Overall, the fatality rate in this state has declined by over 41% during those 17 years.

This number is impressive in several respects. Relatively speaking, it put Pennsylvania in the top 10 among states that had reduced their fatality rates due to drunk driving. Overall, Pennsylvania ranked 9th. Pennsylvania also easily beat the national average, as fatality rates have declined by over 18% across the country.

Beware of electrical accidents and fires on construction sites

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists construction as one of the most hazardous industries in Pennsylvania and across the country. While scaffold falls, trench collapses and incidents related to heavy equipment are known construction site risks, the hazards that electricity pose might not receive enough attention. If you work in this industry, even if you are not an electrician, you will face life-threatening electricity-related hazards.

Safety authorities say the primary area of concern is high wattage power tools that pose significant electrical fire risks. The hazards increase when portable generators are used to produce temporary electricity for building projects as well as during testing of new electrical installations.

Pennsylvania not a safe place to drive over Labor Day

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith posted in car accidents on Thursday, August 29, 2019.

Like other major holidays, many people will take the upcoming long Labor Day weekend as an opportunity to have fun and relax with family and friends.

While there is nothing wrong with this per se, unfortunately, many people as a result of the festivities may decide to drive under the influence. Others may for a number of reasons operate their vehicles carelessly or inattentively, sometimes just because they are too tired to drive safely.

Injury risks when bikers share the roads with negligent motorists

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith on Wednesday, August 28, 2019.

Taking to the roads around Altoona and other areas in Pennsylvania on a motorcycle could be exciting and even intoxicating. Few other activities can compare with the freedom of riding a bike. However, the fact that motorcycles have only two wheels makes this mode of transport significantly more dangerous than four-wheeled vehicles.

Potential injuries

We help injured construction workers get compensation

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith posted in construction accidents on Friday, August 16, 2019.

There are many people who work in various segments of the construction industry in Pennsylvania. From highway and utility workers to those who are in charge of building homes or even large skyscrapers, all of these people perform jobs that are invaluable to the area's economy.

The least these workers should expect is that they will be safe on the job for so long as they are reasonably careful and try their best to follow the rules. Unfortunately, however, many of the best construction workers in the Altoona area still get seriously hurt on the job through no fault of their own.

Safety violations can change a trench into a grave

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith on Friday, August 9, 2019.

If you are a member of a construction crew in Altoona or another city in Pennsylvania, you will likely risk your life frequently. Jobs on elevated platforms and scaffolds, around large construction vehicles like excavators, and inside trenches all pose life-threatening hazards. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has data that shows a significant number of construction site fatalities involve caved-in excavations and collapsed trench walls. For this reason, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has strict safety regulations and standards with which compliance is crucial.

Although your safety and health is the responsibility of your employer, your own vigilance will likely improve your chances of going home safely. When it comes to excavations on constructions sites, familiarity with safety regulations and the ability to recognize potential hazards are crucial. The slightest judgment error could change a trench into an early grave. A competent person on each construction site must ensure that all trenches are safe. You can refuse to work in an excavation that fails to comply with safety standards.

Motorcycle accident at intersection leaves motorcyclist dead

On behalf of Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith posted in motorcycle accidents on Friday, August 2, 2019.

During the warmer months of the year, more motorcyclists may be seen on Pennsylvania's roads. However, riding a motorcycle is not without its dangers, as one accident shows.

A lunchtime accident at an intersection in another Pennsylvania city left a motorcyclist dead. The motorcyclist was a 40-year-old man. He was taken from the scene of the accident with life-threatening injuries, and he died at an area hospital a short time later. The official cause of death was blunt force trauma, as the motorcyclist collided with another vehicle.

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