Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog

April 30, 2014

Evans v. Fidelity & Guar. Ins. Co. – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Workers’ Compensation

Not all debilitating work injuries occur suddenly or are life-threatening. In some cases, injuries that occur over time can be equally devastating.

Work injury lawyers know the fact is, anyone who suffers any work-related condition has the right to collect benefits.

One of the more common repetitive-motion injuries, particularly for those who work desk jobs, is carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a condition that causes numbness,weakness and tingling and loss of use in the hands, usually caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist. It can result in difficulty gripping items, carrying things, moving the fingers or severe pain in the palm and hands. Those who frequently type, use a cash register or slice, press or push objects without enough rest breaks are going to be especially vulnerable.
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April 26, 2014

OSHA Investigating Crane Collapse and Electrical Worker Deaths

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Utility workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions, with falls, electrocution, and other deadly accidents among the daily risks. In a tragic local case, two Bourne utility workers were killed after the boom of a crane supporting them fell to the ground. OSHA is investigating the accident to determine whether safety mechanisms were in place and whether the workers and line company were in compliance with federal regulations. In the event that violations are found, the employer company could face OSHA fines.

According to the Boston Globe, the two workers were only 34-years-old when they lost their lives. They were employed by MassBay Electrical Corp. The electrical company had been contracted to do work on lines for NStar according to a spokesperson for the hiring company. The details of the accident are still unclear as the case is being thoroughly investigated by private and public agencies.
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April 24, 2014

Kim v. Gen-X Clothing – Chemical Dependency Treatment Covered by Workers’ Compensation

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Chemical dependency treatment can be covered by workers’ compensation benefits under certain circumstances, the Nebraska Supreme Court recently ruled in Kim v. Gen-X Clothing, Inc..

Workplace injury lawyers recognize that this ruling sets an important precedent, and we hope courts in other jurisdictions will take note as similar cases arise.

While laws regarding workers’ compensation benefits vary from state-to-state, the general underlying principle is that the injury or illness must arise out of the course of employment, or at least have been exacerbated by it.
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April 22, 2014

OSHA Sets Final Rule on Electric Safety

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Electrical fires and electrocutions are a significant risk to workers in construction, factories, and other industrial jobs. After a decade of effort, the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) has finally published a rule containing new safety requirements to prevent hazards in the workplace. The rule primarily focuses on developing and sharing safety procedures, minimizing distance to electrical sources, and protective gear. Safety advocates are touting the rule as a significant step in the right direction to keep workplaces free from injury and to protect the lives of workers.

OSHA is the federal agency charged with making safety rules and ensuing compliance to protect the health and safety of the nation’s workers. The electrical safety rule will be pivotal in establishing safety guidelines and in holding negligent companies accountable in the event of an accident. Our Boston workers’ compensation attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of America’s workforce. We are committed to helping injured workers and their loved ones collect rightful benefits in the event of an accident or injury. Our lawyers are also committed to raising awareness and in staying abreast of legal issues and trends that impact worker safety.
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April 17, 2014

Common Office Back Pain or Repetitive Stress Injury?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Working conditions have changed and the computer age has left many of us sitting behind desks. While these conditions are not the most dangerous, they can still wreak havoc on our bodies, including our backs, necks, and hands. Individuals who suffer from repetitive stress injuries may be entitled to workers ‘compensation benefits.

Are you suffering from common office back pain or repetitive stress injury? Our workplace accident attorneys are dedicated to raising awareness to prevent injuries and helping workers recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses.

Back pain in the workplace is common. What can you do about back pain and when can you take legal action for your repetitive stress injuries? Desk life can cause permanent damage to your back and make it more difficult for you to recover from injuries. Back pain is a common problem that can result in long-term and permanent injury. When your condition has worsened to a degree that renders you unable to work or forces you to miss work, you may be entitled to benefits.
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April 12, 2014

Biggest Obstacles to Adequate Safety Training

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Safety training is essential to protect workers from on-the-job injuries or fatalities. While some employers fail to provide adequate training and don’t prioritize employee safety, others want to do the right thing and ensure their staff is safe. Unfortunately, even employers who want to provide safety training may encounter certain obstacles in their efforts.

Prioritizing safety training is a smart business choice for companies. Not only can they avoid the risk of fines by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) but they will also have a healthier workforce and won’t have as many workers’ compensation claims. Workers who are injured on the job can make a workers’ compensation claim regardless of employer negligence, and should consult with an experienced work injury lawyer. Because workers’ compensation is a strict liability system, the only way to avoid claims for employers is to avoid injuries in the first place. This means employers need to find creative ways to overcome training obstacles to achieve the benefits of effective training.
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April 8, 2014

Safety Issues for Remote Workers

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Within the first 12 weeks of 2014, there were six deaths of workers performing maintenance or serving cell phone towers. Based on the number of deaths of cell tower workers in 2013 (13 employees total for the year), the rate of deaths in the industry in 2014 is nearly double the number of workers killed last year. This increase is disturbing but not entirely unexpected in light of prior estimates that show the fatality rate in the tower climbing industry is five times the rate of other industries.

Although tower climbing work is recognized as high-risk, the significant increase in deaths in just the first three months of the year is raising questions about how safety protections can be put into place for those who work remotely. These workers may still be considered employees and eligible to make workers’ compensation claims with the help of a workplace accident lawyer, but the workers do not go to a central worksite where an employer can actively take steps to improve conditions and enforce safety rules in order to reduce fatalities on the job.
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April 4, 2014

Loud Noises Increase Risk of Workplace Injury

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Workplace hearing loss is a major risk for workers in certain fields including the construction industry. Unfortunately, loud noises at work may do more than just damage your hearing. A new Canadian study indicates that being exposed to loud noises at work may put you at greater risk of other types of injuries as well.

Those who sustain any type of injury on-the-job can take action and make a workers’ compensation claim. A Boston workplace injury lawyer can assist you in pursuing your work injury claim and obtaining medical benefits and disability income if your injuries prevent you from continuing to work.
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March 30, 2014

Workplace Safety Compromised by OSHA Budget Cuts

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had its budget cut in 2013 because of sequestration. OSHA was already underfunded before the cuts and did not want to reduce its compliance inspections unless forced. OSHA inspectors are overextended and far too few companies receive annual workplace inspections to ensure that they comply with occupational safety standards.

To preserve its inspection budget, Safety News Alert reports that OSHA instead cut its employer-assistance budget. Business advocates were concerned about this strategy and a new report indicates that the Department of Labor also is concerned that this will have a long-term adverse impact on safety.
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March 29, 2014

Workplace Injury Often Result of Fatigued Employees

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A recent study in the Journal of Applied Psychology revealed an increase in workplace injuries in the days after Daylight Savings time. No corresponding increase in the number of work injuries occurred when the clocks switched to standard time. This suggests that lack of sleep when this time switch occurs is a contributing factor to on-the-job accidents because employees who are overtired are less alert and more likely to make dangerous mistakes.

While the study outcome should prompt employees and employers to be more alert when the clocks change, it also shows the importance of getting a good nights rest every day before work. Fatigue does not disqualify a worker from recovering workers’ compensation benefits and those who get hurt doing work tasks should consult with an experienced workplace accident lawyer in Massachusetts. Still workers should make a commitment to not going to work tired in order to prevent a serious or potentially fatal accident.
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