Posted on September 29th, 2009
New research from theNational Employment Law Project found that very few employees who earn around$8 an hour filed a workers’ compensation claim and received benefits for awork-related injury.
In addition to theworkers’ comp findings, the study also shows that a large number of low-wageworkers experienced violations of federal regulations that govern overtime pay,minimum wage and employer retaliation.
The study, called Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers, foundthat 12 percent of the subjects experienced a serious work-related injuryduring the last three years. “We found that the workers’ compensation system isvery rarely used by our respondents,” the study said. “Only 8 percent of theworkers in our sample who experienced a serious injury during the previousthree years had filed a workers’ compensation claim for their most recentinjury. This finding clearly indicates that the workers’ compensation system isnot functioning as intended for front-line workers in the low-wage labormarket.”
If you need helpobtaining workers’ compensation, please contact the Raleigh Workers’Compensation Lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.
Posted on September 29th, 2009
Sears Roebuck & Co.will pay a $6.2 million settlement in a federal lawsuit that claimed thecompany violated the Americans With Disabilities Act by firing disabledemployees instead of accommodating them on the job.
The settlement, whichwas approved Tuesday by a federal judge, is the largest ever obtained by theUnited States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a single suit. Searsdoes not admit any guilt as part of the settlement.
John Hendrickson, aregional attorney for the EEOC, said the settlement will “provide relief to alot of people… People are going to get some monetary compensation for thediscrimination they suffered.”
If you need helpobtaining workers’ compensation, please contact the Raleigh Workers’Compensation Lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.
Posted on September 25th, 2009
A federal Census Bureau employee was found dead and tied to a tree with the words "fed" scrawled across his chest.
A full investigation into the workers death is currently going on. State police and the FBI are working together in an attempt to discover the individual or individuals responsible for the workers death. Investigators are asking anyone with any information into the workers death to come forward.
Some fear that this may be the beginning of a series of events in which federal workers and officials may be targeted as many people are beginning to take extremist anti-government views.
If you need help obtaining workers' compensation, contact the Raleigh workers' compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.
Posted on September 18th, 2009
A construction worker was recently killed in an accident. According to reports, a piece of heavy equipment crushed the worker. Details of the accident have not yet been fully released as authorities and company officials are conducting an investigation as well as are contacting the immediate family of the worker who lost his life.
When the accident occurred, other workers rushed to the man's aid and removed the equipment. Emergency officials were called to the scene and pronounced the man dead on arrival.
More details about the accident should be released following the outcome of the investigation.
If you need help obtaining workers' compensation, contact the Raleigh workers' compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.
Posted on September 9th, 2009
In Harnett County, the workers' compensation fund is already over budget. The account is currently $13,909 in the red and the $69,100 in August claims and an estimated $160,000 in September claims have not yet been paid.
Because of this, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners has voted to take $300,000 from its own fund to cover the workers' compensation balance. Unfortunately, this might not be enough as it will get the county through September and not much farther. These types of issues can make it more difficult to get the compensation they deserve.
If you need help obtaining workers' compensation, contact the Raleigh workers' compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.
Posted on September 3rd, 2009
The North Carolina Rate Bureau has file with the Department of Insurance to cut workers' compensation premiums by 9.6% next year. The department will hold a public comment session in Raleigh on the subject September 15.
Once the session has been taken into account, the Department of Insurance will either approve the cut or suggest an alternative. If approved, the proposal will save $119 million a year for businesses across the state.
If you need help with workers' compensation, contact the Raleigh workers' compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.
Posted on September 1st, 2009
In New York, Governor David Patterson has signed into law a bill that allows workers who have suffered a permanant partial disability to receive workers' compensation in one lump sum if they choose.
In 2007, a court battle ended with the New York Court of Appeals ruling that all changes to the payment schedule must be approved by the legislature. The change went into effect immediately upon signing.
If you need help with workers' compensation, contact the Raleigh workers' compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.
