Although accidents happen on the job, temporary workers have a higher incidence of injury and higher incidence of severe injury than permanent workers, something the CDC has pointed out.
This is because temp workers are often working in high-risk industries, such as manufacturing, industrial plants, warehouses and construction sites.
Common causes of serious temporary job injuries include falling objects, workers falling from elevated equipment or structures, accidents involving forklifts and factory machinery, electrocution, carbon monoxide poisoning, and trench cave-ins. The injuries can range from broken limbs to those involving more severe brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and even death.
As pointed out by publications like ProPublica, these temporary workers often have inadequate training, safety equipment and supervision, and they’re often working 2nd and 3rd shifts – the graveyard shift. Worse yet, temp workers are less likely to report their injuries or safety concerns, often out of fear of losing their jobs or because of language barriers.
When a workplace injury occurs, navigating the legal process can be complex. This is especially true when multiple parties are involved, such as staffing agencies and host employers.
At Kline & Specter, our attorneys are well-acquainted with the challenges injured temporary employees face. With a team of over 50 lawyers and a strong track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, we are committed to helping workers in Philadelphia and beyond.
Common Workplace Hazards Temporary Employees Face
Temporary workers often perform physically demanding or hazardous tasks without the training or protective measures full-time employees receive. Some of the most common workplace dangers include:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Uneven surfaces, spills, or poorly maintained walkways can lead to serious harm.
- Falling Objects: In warehouses, construction sites, and factories, unsecured materials or equipment can cause severe head and body injuries.
- Exposure to Hazardous Substances: Temporary workers in industrial settings may be exposed to toxic chemicals, dust, or fumes without adequate protection.
- Machine-Related Injuries: Improper training or lack of safety guards on heavy machinery can lead to crushing injuries, lacerations, or amputations.
- Transportation Accidents: Delivery drivers, warehouse workers, and others who operate vehicles face risks from collisions and unsafe work conditions.
- Electrical Hazards: Construction and maintenance employees may encounter live wires, leading to electrocution or burns.
- Workplace Violence: In some industries, temporary workers may face threats from customers, colleagues, or others.
Liability for a Temporary Worker’s Injury
Several parties may share responsibility for a temporary worker’s injury, including:
- Host Employers: If the company where the temporary worker was assigned failed to maintain a safe workplace, provide proper training, or enforce safety protocols, they may be liable.
- Staffing Agencies: If the agency did not properly screen job sites for hazards or failed to provide necessary training, they could be held responsible.
- Third-Party Contractors: Equipment manufacturers, property owners, or subcontractors may also be liable if their negligence contributed to the injury.
Workers’ compensation often covers medical expenses and lost wages. However, a third-party lawsuit may be needed to recover additional damages, such as pain and suffering.
Notable Temporary Worker Accident Cases Handled by Kline & Specter
Kline & Specter’s attorneys have a strong track record of recovering tens-of-millions of dollars for workers severely harmed on the job. The following are some notable cases where our firm has secured significant verdicts and settlements for injured employees:
- In July 2019, the firm obtained a nearly $10.6 million settlement for a truck driver whose legs were crushed when a 5,000-pound steel pipe rolled off his truck during unloading at the Dura-Bond Coating Inc. pipe yard facility in Duquesne, PA (read article).
- Only a few months earlier, Kline & Specter won a $9.2 million jury verdict for a Reading sanitation worker whose leg was amputated in a screw conveyor at a meat processing plant when the device suddenly activated.
- In 2018, Kline & Specter achieved a $30 million settlement with AT&T and other companies for a worker who suffered catastrophic injuries in a nearly 50-foot fall from an improperly designed and maintained cell tower (read article).
- In an earlier case, Kline & Specter won a $46.5 million jury verdict against a security company for the families of two women employees who were shot to death by a fired worker at the Kraft Foods plant in Northeast Philadelphia. The award was for compensatory and punitive damages (see the Brown/Wilson Case).
- In 2014, Shanin Specter and David Williams settled a wrongful death case involving a worker at a Philadelphia-area refinery for $10 million.
- Kline & Specter obtained one of the largest settlements on behalf of the estate an undocumented worker in negotiating a $5 million award for a man crushed to death by a collapsing excavation site.
- The firm won a $36.4 million settlement in 2003 for a worker killed in an explosion at a Delaware oil refinery (see Davis/Motiva). The settlement is considered the largest for a single-victim fatality ever reported in the United States.
- That same year the firm won a $7.9 million verdict in Allegheny County for a Pittsburgh worker seriously injured in a fall from a forklift.
- In 2004, the firm won a $19.1 million verdict in Luzerne County for a woman who was struck and seriously injured by a van as she worked on a roadside construction job (see McManamon).
Ok except the $5mm settjebeht was “on behalf of the estate of the undocumented worker….”
Why Choose Kline & Specter for Your Workplace Injury Case?
Temporary workers harmed on the job need skilled legal representation. Founded in 1995, Kline & Specter employs more than 50 attorneys, including five medical doctors, more than any other firm in the country.
We have a proven track record of recovering tens of millions of dollars for injured workers. We know the challenges and hazards temporary employees face and work hard to help them secure the compensation they deserve.
Call Kline & Specter to Discuss Your Case
If you or a loved one has been injured while working a temporary job, the attorneys at Kline & Specter may be able to help. Call 215-772-1000 today to find out if you have a valid legal claim.
Kline & Specter provides free and confidential evaluations of potential cases. We handle cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. For cases outside those states, we work with local attorneys in each state as applicable.