Posted on October 23rd, 2009
Prescription drug use in America has doubled since 1989, butthe number of pharmacists has remained relatively the same. This allows eachpharmacist twice as many opportunities to make a mistake.
Only two states require pharmacies to report dispensingerrors. Georgia requires reporting dispensing errors that cause “significant”harm to a patient. North Carolina requires reporting only errors that result indeath.
While doctors may be responsible for diagnosing a diseaseand prescribing treatment, it is the role of a pharmacist to ensure that thepatient receives the correct type and dosage of medication.
If you or someone you know has suffered due topharmaceutical error, please contact the Raleigh Workers' Comp Lawyers by calling 919-851-3311.
Posted on October 20th, 2009
International Paper Co. has settled a federal lawsuitstemming from a 2008 explosion that killed a contract worker at a Mississippiplant and injured 22 others.
The explosion at International Paper’s Redwood plant killed28 year-old Marcus Christopher Broome. Several workers were left with seriousburns and other injuries when a 12-story recovery boiler exploded as workersattempted to restart it after annual maintenance.
Attorney for the plaintiffs, Billy Quin, said of theexplosion. “The manner in which the recovery boiler was brought on line at theredwood plant was extremely reckless and in complete disregard for the welfare ofeveryone working on and around the boiler that day.”
If you have been injured in the workplace, please contactthe Raleigh Worker’s Compensation Lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC bycalling 919-851-3311.
Posted on October 15th, 2009
Florida employers are getting a break on workerscompensation insurance. The state’s insurance commissioner said on Thursdaythat he has approved a proposed rate decrease of 6.8 percent. The decreasetakes effect January 1 for all new and renewed workers’ compensation policies.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance, whichsubmitted the rate reduction, expects the decrease to result in around $166million in savings for employers.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled last October that claimantattorneys were entitled to “reasonable fees” in workers compensation insurancecases. Critics of the ruling worried that the decision would result in higherpremiums for businesses. Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said in a release“If it were not for the legislation, the workers’ compensation industry inFlorida would likely have proposed rate increases instead of decreases in2010.”
If you have been injured in the workplace, please contactthe Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at919-851-3311.
Posted on October 14th, 2009
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will pay $11 million to settle aclass-action lawsuit brought on behalf of 97,000 current and former workers inIowa over allegations that they were forced to skip breaks or work off theclock.
Judge David Sivright of the Clinton County District courtgave the final approval for the deal on Tuesday.
The settlement has been reached more than eight years aftertwo employees filed a lawsuit claiming that the company engaged in uniform andsystematic wage abuse.
Wal-Mart announced last December that it would pay as muchas $640 million to settle 63 different lawsuits across the country over wageand hour violations. The average plaintiff will receive around $113.
If you are looking for any form of compensation from anemployer, please contact the Raleigh Employment Lawyers of Scudder &Hedrick, PLLC, by calling 919-851-3311.
Posted on October 9th, 2009
A report from Nebraska Appleseed detailing daunting anddangerous working conditions at Nebraska meatpacking plants shows that nothinghas really changed in the ten years since the conditions first made headlines.Production line sped remains brutally high and might even be accelerating sayworkers.
The report is compiled of interviews with over 450 workersin five communities who told a story of hazardous workplaces, unrelenting linespeed and humiliating treatment and verbal abuse. The national trade organization that represents packers andprocessors, the American Meat Institute, was quick to dispute the allegations.
The high rate of speed at the plants – more than 300 cattleare slaughtered and processed ever hour- can lead to worker injuries likerepetitive motion disorders, as well as threaten food safety. Knife wieldingworkers on quick moving production lines can make more than 10,000 cuts a dayand are particularly susceptible to repetitive motion injuries and disorders.
If you have been injured in the workplace, please contactthe Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at919-851-3311.
Posted on October 9th, 2009
In an effort to identify and correct under-recordedworkplace injuries the Occupational Safety & Health Administration hasissued a new National Emphasis Program establishing enforcement procedures toinspect the accuracy of occupational injury and illness recording and reportingrequirements.
This NEP compliments the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ effortto investigate factors accounting for differences in the number of workplaceinjuries and illnesses estimated by the BLS.
Several studies have been released recently demonstratingvarious degrees of under-recording of workplace injuries and illnesses on theOSHA Form 300. OSHA believes the most likely places where under-recordedinjuries and illnesses may exist would be low rate establishments operating inhistorically high rate industries.
If you have been injured in the workplace, please contactthe Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at919-851-3311.
