When most people hear a story about someone who has been injured on the job, they tend to imagine sprains, strains and broken bones. While these are some of the most common injuries that can be sustained in a work environment, one man was recently awarded workers’ compensation benefits after experiencing a different type of workplace injury. New York residents who work in a similar environment may want to be aware of similar dangers they may face.
A 50-year-old man was working in a “hot room” at Victaulic Co., which manufactures mechanical pipes, when he suffered a serious stroke. According to court documents, the man had to wear two layers of protective clothing at work. He worked in furnace rooms, carrying heavy items up stairs and working on removing debris from the furnace.
On the day of the accident, the room was reportedly 100 degrees. Due to the extreme heat and strenuous physical work, the man had a serious stroke that permanently paralyzed the left side of his body.
According to a recent judgment in Philadelphia, the man will receive $718 per week for the rest of his life. However, if this man had sustained his injuries in New York, this would not be the case. Typically, compensation benefits are paid until a person recovers from his or her injuries. When a person is permanently disabled, as was the case here, the benefits would therefore last for the rest of a person’s life. Because New York is a “capped state”, there is a cap on the amount of time a permanently injured worker can collect payments.
Understanding the rules and limitations of workers’ compensation is very important for victims because laws can vary between states and industries. Because of this, a person may want to seek knowledgeable legal representation.
Source: The Morning Call, “Victaulic foundry employee wins workers’ comp for on-the-job stroke,” Peter Hall, Feb. 20, 2012