Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. When Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, it created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and gave it the responsibility of ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for employees throughout the country.
One of the ways in which OSHA accomplishes this core mission is by teaming up with other groups committed to worker safety through its Alliance Program. Recently, OSHA signed a two-year alliance with the Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. OSHA Partners with Pennsylvania The alliance partners will work alongside OSHA representatives in the Allentown, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia area offices. Together, they will focus on promoting safety and health training, workplace safety, and fostering a better understanding of employees’ rights as well as employers’ responsibilities under the OSH Act.
Alliance Program Participation Criteria Alliance Agreements. Standing at Work. In a recent study conducted by the Institute for Work and Health and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, researchers found that workers required to stand for prolonged periods of time had a higher risk of developing heart disease and other health complications than those who sat for prolonged periods of time.
Researchers involved in the study now suggest that employers look at ways to combine a healthy balance of sitting, standing, and moving to prevent health problems in their work force. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Burn injuries are common in the workplace.
Employees in various industries are routinely exposed to burn hazards including fire, electrical currents, and caustic chemicals. Fortunately, most burn injury victims in Pennsylvania are entitled to workers’ compensation, the amount and duration of which largely depends on the type and severity of the burns. Workplaces Associated with High Risk of Burn Injuries Workers in almost any industry may suffer burn injuries. However, according to a study by published in the journal Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters, workplaces with the highest number of burn injuries include: Why Can’t I See My Own Doctor? A common question our Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers receive is, “Why can’t I see my own doctor?”
The answer is that workers are not prohibited from seeing their own doctor, but they may be required to initially see a doctor of their employer’s choosing for the first 90 days. The laws on this vary by state, therefore workers should seek legal advice from a local, qualified attorney. Pennsylvania Rule on Company Doctors for Workers’ Comp Injuries In Pennsylvania, the general rule is that employees must choose from a list of designated physicians provided by their employers when seeking medical treatment for their work injuries during the first 90 days.
They must see one of those doctors (or any combination thereof) for at least the first 90 days following their workplace injury. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. A Montgomeryville company must pay $1,047,399 in lost wages and punitive damages for violating the retaliation provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
The punitive damage award of $500,000 is the largest ever awarded under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act. In granting this landmark judgment, the federal judge emphasizes the importance of a paramount workers’ compensation issue – employee safety. Employer Duties Under the OSH Act All Pennsylvania employers are bound by the General Duty clause of the OSH Act, which states that employers must furnish employees with workplaces that are free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Therefore, employers must remedy reasonably foreseeable hazards in the workplace whenever feasible and provide workers with the appropriate safety gear and personal protective equipment (PPE). Employee Rights Under the OSH Act. Philadelphia Workers’ Comp Attorneys. The Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) is investigating the death of a gutter installer who suffered fatal blunt force injuries from a ladder fall.
Sadly, this type of accident is common in the workplace, especially in the construction industry. Gutter installers, roofers, and others who work on roofs are at high risk of sustaining fall from heights injuries. Some of the most common reasons for work accidents involving ladders include lack of the following: Can I Collect Workers’ Comp and SS Disability? Our Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers are frequently asked, “Can I collect workers’ comp and social security disability?”
The general answer is yes, however there are certain restrictions that apply. Knowing how social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits affect workers’ compensation can help employees make better informed decisions regarding their cases. Workers’ Compensation Offset Rule Although workers may receive both workers’ compensation and SSDI benefits simultaneously, they may only receive up to a certain amount. Laws on this vary by state, therefore employees seeking to collect both types of benefits are advised to contact a qualified attorney in their local area. OSHA to Revise Silica Standard for Construction. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may soon be revising its final rule on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica.
Specifically, OSHA intends to collect information regarding control measures not currently listed in Table 1 (Specified Exposure Control Methods When Working with Materials Containing Crystalline Silica) including: the effectiveness of other control measures;tasks and tools involving exposure to respirable silica; andthe effectiveness of dust control methods in limiting workers’ exposure to respirable crystalline silica. If OSHA’s Request for Information is granted by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the agency will use the information to determine whether revisions to Table 1 should be made.
Specified Exposure Control Methods Implications of Revising the Silica Standard for Construction. Philadelphia Workers' Compensation Lawyers. The signs of employee burnout are not that difficult to pinpoint.
One of the most recognizable is the feeling of always being tired, with a lack of energy. Another is decreased job performance; others experience negative or cynical feelings about their jobs and a more distant feeling about their position, work responsibilities, and employer. Employee burnout is not only harmful for employees; it can lead to workplace accidents and injuries. These workers may be less aware of what is going on around them and have slower response times, increased agitation, and unsafe work habits. Those who work with heavy machinery, perform medical procedures, drive company vehicles, and work with tools are at an even higher risk of unintentionally hurting themselves and others. Can I Get Workers’ Comp for Asthma? Work-related asthma is fairly common, as workers in many industries from healthcare to construction may be exposed to workplace irritants that cause the condition.
In Pennsylvania, most workers are entitled to workers’ compensation for occupational illnesses under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act (the Act). However, due to the number of possible triggers for asthma, it can be difficult to prove that the condition was caused by workplace exposure and not by other environmental pollutants. Ambulance Crews at Risk. Emergency medical services (EMS) workers are at higher risk for occupational health issues than the general working population. According to the most recent injury data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 21,900 EMS providers were treated for their injuries in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2016.
Common events leading to these injuries include overexertion, falls, exposure to harmful substances, and workplace violence, which is frequently underreported. Common Causes of Ambulance Crew Injuries The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that ambulance crews are most at risk for injuries such as sprains and strains, exposures to blood and bodily fluids, and falls. Some of the most common causes of these injuries are: Struck Power Line in Philadelphia Leaves Three Injured. A worker struck a power line in Philadelphia which left the man and two other workers with injuries. One of the workers was digging underground near Ryan Avenue in preparation for installing a water line when the work accident occurred around 9:04 am on Thursday morning.
The worker who struck the power line was electrocuted and received medical treatment at Jefferson University Hospital for serious injuries. The other two workers incurred minor injuries. Even if a worker does not perform electrical work, the individual may be performing another task, come in contact with electricity, and be at-risk for injuries through an unexpected surge. More than 4,000 individuals become injured each year due to electric shock, and injuries may range from superficial burns to heart attacks.
If you became injured in a workplace accident, contact a Philadelphia workplace accident lawyer at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. The Pennsylvania state Senate recently passed legislation designed to expand limits on opioid painkiller prescriptions. The bills, part of a broader package to fight the growing opioid addiction epidemic, propose several methods for preventing overdose deaths in the state. Despite passing unanimously, the bill remains a topic of debate, some lauding its aggressive limitations and others pointing to its potentially detrimental effects.
Mitigating the Opioid Crisis in Pennsylvania According to the governor, the opioid overdose epidemic is the worst public health crisis in Pennsylvania. He has signed six renewals for the Opioid Disaster Declaration, allowing the Commonwealth to utilize the necessary tools to help those affected. Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Philadelphia. Herniated discs can occur due to a singular, traumatic accident or they may develop over time, with repeated pressure placed on the spine. Herniated disc injuries caused by work activities are generally compensable under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. The Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. represent workers in herniated disc claims throughout Pennsylvania.
What is a Herniated Disc? Spinal discs are small, rubbery pads between each vertebra that hold the spine together. Philadelphia Workplace Accident Lawyers. Aerial lifts are vehicle-mounted devices typically used to elevate things like aerial ladders, jointed boom platforms, and vertical platforms. They are frequently used when fixing electrical and telephone wires. Aerial lifts are a convenient way to get work done because of how mobile they are, but they can also be extremely dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Philadelphia Workers' Comp Attorneys.
The first annual Respiratory Protection Week will take place September 3-6, according to a recent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) press release. This year, NIOSH celebrates both the history of respiratory protection as well as the current research and developments on workplace respirators. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys. Occupational (or work-related) asthma is the most common occupational lung disease in the U.S., according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the American Lung Association (ALA).
With over 300 substances that can cause or worsen asthma, employees in all types of industries from healthcare to agriculture are at risk. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. August 28, 2019. Injuries Common Among Bus Drivers. August 27, 2019 Bus drivers spend a lot of their time on the road, putting them at risk of injuries resulting from traffic incidents, prolonged postures, and repetitive movements. Injuries related to driving can lead to expensive medical bills, missed work days, and pain and suffering. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys. From flight attendant to avionics technician, each job in the airline industry comes with its own unique set of hazards. Questions to Ask Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyer. August 25, 2019 Sustaining an injury on the job can not only leave you in pain, but also with a lot of questions regarding your rights. What Happens to My Benefits if My Company Closes? August 24, 2019. Reading Workers’ Compensation Lawyers.
August 23, 2019 Nail guns have boosted workplace productivity and efficiency since their introduction to the construction industry in 1959. However, pneumatic nail guns are also responsible for approximately 37,000 emergency room visits each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Philadelphia Work Injury Attorneys. August 22, 2019. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. August 21, 2019. Does Workers’ Compensation Pay for Dental Injuries? Workers’ Comp Attorneys Philly. Philadelphia Workers’ Comp Attorneys. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Can I Get Paid if I Am Injured at Work? Reading Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Philadelphia Workplace Accident Attorneys. Reading Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Philadelphia Workers’ Comp Attorneys. Philadelphia Work Accident Lawyers. Philadelphia Work Injury Lawyers. Mesothelioma Case Decision Could Set Precedent
Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Exoskeletons May Reduce Worker Injuries. Poultry Worker Injuries on the Decline. Work Injuries Increase During the Summer Months. (1) New Chat Message! Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Montgomeryville Company Labeled Severe Violator. Philadelphia Work Accident Lawyers.
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