Aluminum parts maker facing $1.9 million in fines The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is tasked with assuring that employees have safe and healthful working conditions. This is done by providing education, training, outreach and assistance to employers and employees. A Pennsauken company that manufactures aluminum parts is currently facing $1.9 million in fines assessed by OSHA after two employees were injured in workplace accidents. [...]

The impact of wearable technology on workplace injury claims Wearable, internet-enabled technology is more common and familiar than many people may guess, and it is quickly expanding into new territory. Workers’ compensation claims managers are wondering if it could be used to enhance rehabilitation and improve recovery outcomes. Is that something to be applauded, or should we be concerned? Experts in wearable technology say it has already [...]

What is a Section 32 waiver agreement? As you seek compensation for an on-the-job injury, you may hear about the option to use a Section 32 waiver agreement. If you consider this, it’s critical that you understand exactly what it does, as it can change your fundamental rights as a worker. First of all, this waiver agreement is made between you, the worker who was injured, and [...]

Tips that can help you with that workers’ comp claim You have a right to work in a safe workplace, free from danger and injuries. If this right is violated and you’re injured, you may be able to seek out workers’ compensation to cover your costs. The following tips can help: 1. Report everything. It doesn’t matter if it’s a minor injury or illness. Get the right [...]

Bronx fire leads to injuries for 4 firefighters A house fire in the Bronx, apparently started by a number of kids who were using a stove top to play with fire, left four firefighters with significant injuries. The first, a 34-year-old man, was hurt on the scene. He was on the building’s roof, trying to keep the flames from rising, when he didn’t feel well. He was [...]

Disease victims and workers’ compensation benefits When a person is injured on the job, such as the result of a scaffolding accident, it’s often clear that he or she should be awarded workers’ compensation benefits. Conversely, there are times when this is not as easy to see. For example, disease victims are often faced with challenges when making a workers’ compensation claim. An example of this would [...]

Prior injuries and workers’ compensation claims If there’s one thing workers should know about workers’ compensation insurance, it essentially helps those who cannot work meet their financial obligations as they recover. The benefits stemming from these claims are based on a formula that assigns a particular monetary amount for each type of injury. In some instances, the benefits paid to injured workers is based on the fact [...]

What is ulnar nerve entrapment? Cubital tunnel syndrome involves the ulnar nerve, which is known by most as the “funny bone.” Indeed, it can feel rather funny to get your ulnar nerve jolted by a sudden bump against a doorway, but it is not a laughing matter when damage to the ulnar nerve makes it impossible for you to do your job. The ulnar nerve runs down [...]

In New York State, independent contractors in construction can claim workers’ comp benefits From Uber to Amazon, increasingly U.S. companies are turning to independent contractors for many of their employment needs. According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, an estimated 12.5 million people in the U.S. are currently classified as independent contractors, a number that equates to “8.4 percent of the U.S. workforce.” This [...]

Why it can be challenging to obtain workers' compensation benefits According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, during 2014 alone, roughly three million U.S. workers reported suffering employment-related injuries or illnesses. During this same year, a total of 4,679 workers suffered fatal injuries on the job. These staggering figures raise many troubling and difficult questions with regard to the health and safety of our nation’s workplaces and [...]