This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is bringing awareness to National Work Zone Safety Week in an attempt to protect highway workers and memorialize the 22 individuals killed in work zones last year.  Four of the fatalities last year were workers, 3 were PennDOT employees, and one was a contractor.

“Work Zone Awareness Week is observed each year to draw motorist’s attention to construction and utility workers who are out on Pennsylvania’s roadways.  Motorists should be aware that there are municipal workers and private contractors whose ‘office’ is on Pennsylvania highways, and we ask that they drive cautiously in work zones so we can all get home safely,” said Kevin Klein, PennDOT D-2 Executive.

Last year, 1,884 accidents occurred in work zones across the country.  In 2009, there were 1,519 accidents in work zones.  PennDOT officials noted that since 1970, 82 PennDOT employees have been killed doing their jobs.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of an accident on the job and suffered injuries to the neck or shoulder, contact the Philadelphia neck and shoulder injury attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation with one of our compassionate workers’ compensation lawyers.