On Wednesday August 4, 2010 a 23 year old construction worker named Cody Fyock went to work at the North Fork Creek Water Treatment Plant in Pine Creek Township Pennsylvania.  The water treatment plant is run by the Brookville Municipal Authority and Mr. Fyock worked for Jack Gibson Construction, a company that was doing construction at the plant.

According to the police, a steel forming wall fell on Mr. Fyock and killed him.

We extend our sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Fyock following this tragic Pennsylvania workplace accident.

Last Thursday, a worker died after being overcome with fumes at a Western Pennsylvania treatment plant.  The worker has been identified as 31 year old Jack Hogan III.  He was working in a 30 foot hole at the Sewickley Borough wastewater treatment plant when he was hurt.  Reports indicate that he radioed for help and tried to come out of the hole but was unable to do so.

Three other workers, who have not yet been identified, were also overcome by the fumes.  They received medical treatment and are expected to recover from their injuries.

There is no word yet on what the fumes were or what caused them.  OSHA is investigating this Pennsylvania workplace accident.

Last week, 2 AmeriCold workers were trapped underneath heavy machinery in York County, Pennsylvania.  The accident happened in the overnight hours of July 26, 2010 at the East Manchester Township shipping and refrigeration company.  Both workers were rushed to the hospital.

Reports indicate that a 1,000 pound dock plate trapped one worker and a second worker, who was also trapped, was able to free them both from the heavy equipment.  It is reported that one worker’s head was crushed in this Pennsylvania workplace accident.  That worker was taken to the hospital in critical condition.  The other worker was treated and released.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently issued an important ruling regarding workers suffering from asbestos related illnesses.  The Court found that the cases of ill workers who were exposed to asbestos cannot be dismissed on summary judgment just because the workers were also smokers.

The Court found that when there were genuine issues of causation backed by “reasonably certain medical opinions” the case should go to a jury and not be decided on summary judgment.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and other serious diseases.  If you have suffered an occupational illness due to asbestos exposure you may be entitled to damages.  Contact a worker’s comp lawyer for more information about your rights.

Two people were killed in an Allegheny gas explosion last Friday.  The accident happened at a Huntley & Huntley gas well in Indiana Township.  The workers were performing maintenance on the well on the day of the accident.  One of the workers was welding an oil tank in the well at the time of the explosion. 

When the explosion occurred, the oil tank was sent flying for about 70 yards.  The workers were thrown dozens of feet and badly burned before their deaths.

Northeast Management Inc., the employer of the two fatally injured workers, has paid nearly $10,000 in OSHA fines because of previous gas well explosions and the company has been cited for numerous safety violations.

While nothing can undo this tragedy or bring back their loved ones, the families of the workers who were killed may be entitled to damages for the Pennsylvania workplace injuries of their loved ones.

Last week, two people were injured at a meat packing plant in Franconia Township.   One employee of JBS Packerland lost a finger and the other suffered a broken ankle.  At around 7:30 a.m. on July 20 a 36 year old female employee was hit by a piece of machinery that caused her to fall and break her ankle.  Shortly after 9 a.m. the same day, a 41 year old male employee slipped while he was operating a piece of machinery.  When he slipped he cut off his index finger with a blade that was meant to cut beef.

Both employees were taken to Grand View Hospital in Sellersville for treatment of their Montgomery County workplace injuries.