Protecting Healthcare Workers After On-the-Job Injuries in Pennsylvania
Daily Risks for Healthcare Workers
Hospitals and healthcare facilities are high-pressure environments where injuries are common. Nurses and aides frequently suffer back and shoulder strains from lifting or transferring patients. Needlestick injuries expose staff to serious infections. Slips on polished hospital floors or spills in hallways cause falls that may lead to head or spinal injuries. Beyond physical hazards, hospital workers may also face assaults from combative patients or visitors. These risks are especially high in busy hospitals like Lehigh Valley Hospital and St. Luke’s in Bethlehem.
Workers’ Comp Protection for Hospital Staff
Pennsylvania’s
workers’ compensation system covers nearly all injuries and illnesses that occur in the course of healthcare employment. This includes sudden injuries (a back strain from moving a patient), occupational illnesses (exposure to airborne infections), and cumulative trauma (carpal tunnel from repetitive charting or equipment use). Reporting injuries promptly is key, even if they seem minor.
Violence, Trauma & Special Situations
Healthcare workers often face violent incidents—being hit by a patient, attacked by a visitor, or caught in a workplace altercation. Physical injuries from these events are covered by comp, and Pennsylvania law also allows claims for psychological trauma in certain cases. PTSD following a violent patient attack, for instance, may be compensable if tied to the physical injury.
Our Commitment to Healthcare Workers
At Vellner Law, we understand the toll healthcare jobs take on the body and mind. We help nurses, doctors, technicians, and support staff secure benefits while they recover. For Spanish-speaking or immigrant workers in the Lehigh Valley healthcare system, we provide bilingual support to ensure language is never a barrier to justice.
FAQs – Healthcare Worker Accidents
I hurt my back lifting a patient—am I covered?
Yes. Lifting injuries are among the most common and most clearly compensable hospital claims.
What if I caught an illness from a patient?
Comp covers occupational illnesses such as infectious diseases if exposure was work-related.
Can workplace violence injuries be covered?
Yes. Injuries from patient or visitor assaults are generally compensable, including related psychological care.
Do pre-existing conditions affect my claim?
No. If your work aggravated or accelerated an existing condition, you may still qualify.
Healing others is your calling—protecting your rights is ours.
If you’ve been injured while caring for patients—whether from lifting, a fall, or even workplace violence—your employer and their insurer may try to minimize your injuries or deny coverage.
You’ve dedicated yourself to helping others; now let us help you.
Call Vellner Law now for a free consultation.
We fight for nurses, aides, and healthcare staff across Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the Lehigh Valley. You pay nothing unless we win benefits or compensation for you.
Contact us to schedule your free case review