A new report says workers’ compensation pharmacy costscontinue to increase despite the steady decline of injury rates over the pastseveral years. The report comes from PMSI, a Tampa-based provider of specialtyproducts and services for the workers’ compensation market. The report showspharmacy costs increased by 5.4 percent in 2008, and 3.3 percent in 2007.

Pharmacy costs represent 14 percent of all medical spending.The 2008 increase was primarily due to average wholesale price increases aswell as reduced availability for generic versions of drugs such as Oxycontin.

The five most prescribed drug types were narcoticanalgesics, anticonvulsants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, skeletalmuscle relaxants, and antidepressants. Those five classes represented 70percent of pharmacy costs and 74 percent of total transactions in 2008.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the jobplease contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation attorneys of Scudder and Hedrick,PLLC by calling 919-851-3311.

A Putnam man has been charged with failing to provideworkers compensation coverage for his employees. Russell Avery, 67, was chargedwith four counts of failure to carry workers compensation insurance. Failure toprovide workers comp is a felony that state authorities said is punishable byup to five years in prison for each count.

The arrest warrant affidavit states that Avery failed toprovide insurance between January 2004 and September 2008. As a result thestate was forced to pay lost wages and medical benefits to injured employees.

Civil penalties were leveled against Avery and his businessby the Workers Compensation Commission. The case will be prosecuted by theWorkers Compensation Fraud Control Bureau of the Chief State’s Attorney’soffice.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job,contact the Raleigh workers compensation lawyers of Scudder and Hedrick, PLLCby calling 919-851-3311.

The owner and two vice presidents of International Protective Services Inc have been charged with defrauding the state of California of $9 million. They have recently pleaded not guilty.

The three executives allegedly created a shell company to hide the number of employees and avoid paying higher workers' compensation premiums. This is illegal and could be dire for the employees affected by it.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, contact the Raleigh workers' compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.

In Montana,  new legislation is being introduced that will exempt workers compensation benefits for musicians.  Under the current system,  for a musician to play a show,  they have to be considered a hired worker of the company. This requires that workers compensation be provided.

Many musicians have come out against this stating that it is making it difficult to find work.  Owners of businesses are hesitant to hire them because of this.  Some musicians believe that if the exemption were passed, that they would be better able to play shows. 

This issue does bring up questions though on how a situation would be handled if a musician was injured while on the job. 

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job please contact your Raleigh worker's compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick at 919-851-3311

The Utah Supreme Court ruled thursday that medical costs for injuries or illnesses associated

 with work will now only be paid in proportion to the amount directly connected to the job. 

Generally the Worker's Compensation Fund would have covered all costs for a work related

 injury or illness, but the ruling leaves employees responsible for the remaining costs. 

The Supreme Court addressed two different cases in which the appellate court ruled the 

"compensation" mentioned in Utah's Occupational Diseases Act would cover medical costs

 as well as wages. The two casses involved Tamara Edmonds, a woman with carpal tunnel syndrome,

 and Jeffrey Smith, a man with a lower back injury. The court's unanimous 

ruling reversed both the Court of Appeals decisions. Phillip Shell, the attorney for both Edmonds

 and Smith, said the ruling may seem fair but will have unfortunate effects on workers. 

"It hurts my clients -people who are hurt and out of work… If you get sick at work because 

of some chemical and have some pre-existing condition, you have to pay part of that care, even though you didn't need 

treatment before…It's just a travesty for the injured worker."

 If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, please contact your Raleigh worker's compensation lawyers

 of Scudder & Hedrick at 919-851-3311.

A New York Times article published Wednesday, that investigated the workers compensation system in New York, revealed some shocking information. The article examined the injustices in the system and it's effect on the workers. But a shocking graphic accompanied the article that showed the payment schedule for workers who have lost permanent use of a body part. 

The schedule, set by the New York State Worker's Compensation Board, awards a lump sum equivalent to the number of weeks wages for different lost body parts. Workers who lose a pinky finger receive 15 weeks pay, where as a pinky toe would earn them 16 weeks. Lose of an arm results in 312 weeks pay, where as a leg only garners 288. Workers who have lost an eye receive 160 weeks wages, losing both eyes earns workers not a lump cash payout but weekly replacement wages for life.

 If you or someone you know has been injured on the job please contact your Raleigh worker's compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick at 919-851-3311

Construction accidents involving cranes are some of the most common accidents.  It seems that almost every week brings a new accident involving a crane across the nation.

One of the reasons cranes are involved in accident is the size of the crane and the objects it lifts.  The massive size of many items being lifted puts tremendous strain on the machinery of the crane. 

Many times the crane may not be completely maintained, and could have problems that lead to the accident. Cranes must be maintained well with proper inspection and maintenance.  Unfortunately, this does not always happen, which increases the likelihood of accidents. 

If you have been injured on the job, you
will need an experienced workplace injury lawyer to help you
obtain the full compensation you deserve. Contact the offices of
Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick at 919-851-3311 to
learn how we can help.     

A demolition worker was air lifted to a hospital in Asheville, North Carolina after a large steel pipe fell on the trackhoe that the man was operating.  The pipe pinned the man in the trackhoe, where he remained until emergency officials were able to remove it.

The pipe was 12 inches wide, and over 30 feet long.   Because of the size of the pipe, removing it was a difficult matter.  Utilizing emergency tools and tools on the demolition site,  emergency workers were able to get the pipe removed.

When the man was extracted from the trackhoe,   and taken to the hospital.

If you have been injured on the job, you
will need an experienced workplace injury lawyer to help you
obtain the full compensation you deserve. Contact the offices of
Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick at 919-851-3311 to
learn how we can help.