Posted on December 29th, 2009
New federal regulations may require employers to keep more extensive records on ergonomic-related injuries may help the government re-institute workplace-safety protections that were repealed under the Bush administration. The efforts are intended to push employers to minimize the risk of repetitive-motion injuries for employees.
Sources say that the new rules may force U.S. employers to invest nearly $4 billion dollarrs in workplace improvements to minimize repetitive motion injuries. According to those familiar with the regulations, corporations may be initially resistant to any rules that are imposed regarding ergonomic-related improvements, but the government's goal is to provide a safer work environment for U.S. employees.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a workplace accident, contact the Raleigh worker's compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.
Posted on December 23rd, 2009
The North Carolina Labor Department recently fined Omaha-based Con-Agra foods $135,000 for a blast in the company's Garner, N.C. location that killed four workers. Investigators for the labor department discovered 26 serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina, including failure to follow safety procedures, faulty alarm systems, and failure to keep the workplace free from serious safety hazards.
An explosion in the packaging area caused a partial roof collapse while nearly 200 workers were inside. The four individuals who were killed were struck by debris or crushed in the building's collapse.
If you have suffered serious injury in a workplace accident, you may be eligible for worker's compensation benefits from your employer. If you have been wrongly denied benefits or if you need legal assistance with your claim, contact the Raleigh worker's compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick at 919-851-3311.
Posted on December 18th, 2009
A worker was recently injured in an electrical accident that occurred at a power plant. The worker was performing routine maintenance work on a circuit breaker when the accident occurred. For some unknown reason, an electrical surge occurred and shocked the man and seriously injured him. A portion of the man's clothes caught fire. Another worker on the scene was able to extinguish the fire, call for help, and provide assistance to the injured worker.
The man was rushed to a hospital with burns on his face, chest, and limps. Emergency officials used a medical helicopter to transport the man as fast as possible.
The man is currently expected to recover.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a NorthCarolina Workplace, please contact a Raleigh Workers’ Compensation lawyer ofScudder & Hedrick, PLLC, by calling 919-851-3311.
Posted on December 10th, 2009
A man from Montevallo has been found guilty of workers’compensation fraud.
A jury in the Shelby County Circuit Court found 44 year-oldRobert Burrows guilty of two counts of making false statements to receiveworkers’ compensation benefits. Hewas also convicted on one count of second-degree theft. According to courtdocuments, the jury found that Burrows “misrepresented an injury he receivedwhile working at an auto parts store.”
Attorney General Troy King explained the verdict in a pressrelease, saying “it is a crime for someone to misrepresent an injury in orderto get workers’ compensation funds longer than he should… I am pleased that thejury returned a guilty verdict, and that this defendant will be heldaccountable for his crime.”
If you or someone you know has been injured in a NorthCarolina Workplace, please contact a Raleigh Workers’ Compensation lawyer ofScudder & Hedrick, PLLC, by calling 919-851-3311.
Posted on December 8th, 2009
A new government study shows that employers and employeesunderreport workplace injuries and illnesses.
The report released by the Government Accountability Officeis the culmination of a yearlong federal program that examines how employerskeep records of workers injured on the job. The GAO found that employees tendto underreport injuries and illness for fear of losing their job or being disciplined.The report shows that 67 percent of occupational health practitioners said theyobserved workers who feared disciplinary action for reporting an injury. 46percent agreed that this fear was a factor in the underreporting of injuries.
The report also cited employer safety incentive programs canalso lead employees to underreport injuries. These incentives offer bonuses toworkers for creating safe work sites.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a North CarolinaWorkplace, please contact a Raleigh Workers’ Compensation lawyer of Scudder& Hedrick, PLLC, by calling 919-851-3311.
Posted on December 1st, 2009
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office insouthern California announced a $160,000 civil settlement against a truckingcompany for failing to provide employees with workers’ compensation insurance.
Nelson Francia, of Nelson Francia Trucking, had longtimelocal contracts with the bulk mail transportation division of the United StatesPostal Service’s Richmond office. Under the state businesses and professionscode, these contracts gave local prosecutors jurisdiction to litigate the casein cooperation with Postal Service inspectors and the state Department ofInsurance.
Francia Trucking admitted no liability in the settlement butwill be required to pay $50,000 in civil penalties and investigative costs. Theremainder of the $160,000 judgement will be suspended. However if Francia failsto secure permanent workers’ compensation for employees as required by law, hewill be required to pay the remaining balance.
If you or someone you know has been injured in theworkplace, please contact a Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Attorney of Scudder& Hedrick, PLLC, by calling 919-851-3311.
