Scudder & Hedrick » Raleigh Workers’ Comp Lawyer http://www.scudderandhedrick.net Scudder & Hedrick Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:44:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Sysco Guest Supply fined $12,550 in fatal accident http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/07/12/sysco-guest-supply-fined-12550-in-fatal-accident/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/07/12/sysco-guest-supply-fined-12550-in-fatal-accident/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:37:19 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1887 Last month, the North Carolina Department of Labor fined Sysco Guest Supply in Concord, North Carolina $12,550 for workplace safety violations that led to the death of an employee.

The accident occurred in late March when a 47-year old warehouse supervisor fell from a storage rack at the company’s facility.  The worker attempted to stabilize himself on a pallet of paper napkins before falling 19-feet.

Investigations into the company began in April after the fatal fall accident.  The company was cited with four serious workplace safety violations.

Violations included working on racks without proper fall protection, riding on the forks of a forklift, leaving a lifted forklift unattended, and failure to evaluate fork lift operators every three years.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/07/12/sysco-guest-supply-fined-12550-in-fatal-accident/feed/ 0 Recycling facility fined for not properly training employee http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/22/recycling-facility-fined-for-not-properly-training-employee/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/22/recycling-facility-fined-for-not-properly-training-employee/#comments Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:17:46 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1777 Sonoco Recycling in Salisbury was recently fined $11,900 by the North Carolina Department of Labor for failing to properly train a temporary full-time employee that was killed in a tragic workplace accident.  In addition, investigators determined that the company failed to properly maintain forklifts at the facility.

State officials began investigating the company after 40-year old supervisor Maurice Alexander was killed from being crushed by an 800-pound stack of cardboard at Sonoco in August.  The safety violations were categorized as being of a serious nature.

A report from the DOL states, “training did not consist of a combination of formal instruction, practical training and evaluation of the operator’s performance in the workplace.”  Furthermore, the report notes that forklifts were not examined daily or adequately repaired.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/22/recycling-facility-fined-for-not-properly-training-employee/feed/ 0 High Point Fire Department fined by DOL http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/16/high-point-fire-department-fined-by-dol/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/16/high-point-fire-department-fined-by-dol/#comments Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:18:51 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1768 The North Carolina Department of Labor recently issued several fines to the High Point Fire Department concerning safety violations at the department.  Total fines came out to $81,300.

Investigators determined that the fire department had committed 16 violations against North Carolina’s Occupational Safety and Health Act.  Investigations into the department began in September 2010 because fire fighters at High Point issued complaints.

The safety violations concern deficiencies in fire fighter training and poor equipment maintenance.  None of the violations found by investigators were willful safety violations.  Officials from High Point will meet with the city and the Department of Labor to discuss how to best resolve their issues.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of substandard workplace safety, contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to talk with one of our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/16/high-point-fire-department-fined-by-dol/feed/ 0 Workers’ comp reform bill could cut benefits http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/09/workers-comp-reform-bill-could-cut-benefits/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/09/workers-comp-reform-bill-could-cut-benefits/#comments Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:59:11 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1766 A new workers’ compensation bill will soon be introduced to the North Carolina General Assembly that would cut some workers’ compensation benefits for injured workers.  In addition, the bill proposes that the cost of workers’ compensation insurance be shifted from employers to taxpayers.

Furthermore, if approved, the bill could possibly cut workers’ compensation benefits off to people who have received them for 9.5 years.  This would include those with permanent disabilities, are paralyzed, and those who will never be able to work again.

In North Carolina, public opinion reveals that voters do not support workers’ compensation reform or limiting benefits to injured or disabled workers.  In a poll of North Carolina residents, 66 percent said that they did not approve of a 9.5 year limit to workers’ compensation benefits.

Contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 today, if you have been injured in the workplace and would like to speak with a lawyer about receiving the benefits you deserve.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/03/09/workers-comp-reform-bill-could-cut-benefits/feed/ 0 Move-over law expanded to include utility crews http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/02/08/move-over-law-expanded-to-include-utility-crews/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/02/08/move-over-law-expanded-to-include-utility-crews/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:57:10 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1727 In December, the state’s “move-over” law, that was previously only applied to emergency vehicles, was expanded to include utility crews.  The law requires drivers to move their vehicles into the lane farthest away from a stopped emergency vehicle or utility vehicle.

In regards to the law change, one utility worker/supervisor, Brian Hunt, stated, “It was a great day for us utility workers…Over the number of years, the more traffic that’s comes to the area, the more danger it’s put our employees in.”

According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, 48 people were killed while on the job in 2010.

If you or someone you love has been injured while on the job and suffered temporary disability, contact the Raleigh temporary disability lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to set up an appointment to discuss temporary disability appeals.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/02/08/move-over-law-expanded-to-include-utility-crews/feed/ 0 DOL asks NC businesses to apply for safety award http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/02/03/dol-asks-nc-businesses-to-apply-for-safety-award/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/02/03/dol-asks-nc-businesses-to-apply-for-safety-award/#comments Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:43:21 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1696 This week, the North Carolina Department of Labor announced that they are accepting applications from businesses in North Carolina for workplace safety awards.  In order for a business to qualify for a safety award, they must have no fatalities at the site they are using on their application.  In addition, businesses must have an injury and illness rate at least 50 percent lower than the average rate in their industry.

“A safety award shows employees and the community that you are committed to safe work environment.  A good safety record is something to be proud of, and businesses deserve to be recognized for their efforts,” stated the Department of Labor’s Commissioner, Cherie Berry.

If you or someone you love has been injured or become ill because of unsafe or unhealthy working conditions, contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to learn more about your rights.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/02/03/dol-asks-nc-businesses-to-apply-for-safety-award/feed/ 0 Workplace fatalities increase in 2010 http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/01/19/workplace-fatalities-increase-in-2010/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/01/19/workplace-fatalities-increase-in-2010/#comments Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:29:39 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1674 In 2010, there were a total of 48 fatalities in North Carolina workplace accidents.  In 2009, there were 34 workplace fatalities in the state.  According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, while workplace fatalities increased in 2010, injuries and illnesses reached an all-time low in the private industry.  80 percent of workplace fatalities occurred because of 4 main types of hazards.  ”Struck-by” accidents resulted in the highest amount of fatalities with 16 in 2010.  Falls accounted for the second highest amount of 15.  In addition, 4 workers were electrocuted and 9 died from being crushed by objects.

“Any workplace death is a tragedy and of great concern because it affects so many people- the family, the co-workers, the community and our department.  We’ll redouble our efforts and work even harder to prevent these accidents from happening, and we’ll call on employers and employees across the state to recommit themselves to workplace safety and health in 2011,” said Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2011/01/19/workplace-fatalities-increase-in-2010/feed/ 0 NC school district to pay workers’ comp to principle http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2010/12/28/nc-school-district-to-pay-workers-comp-to-principle/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2010/12/28/nc-school-district-to-pay-workers-comp-to-principle/#comments Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:23:24 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1656 This week, a North Carolina Industrial Commission ruled that the state’s school system will pay workers’ compensation to a former middle school principle.  James Hunt, former principle of Fairmont Middle School, was injured in a shooting on his way to work at the school in April 2009.  While driving to the middle school, another vehicle pulled up next to Hunt’s SUV and fired a shotgun at him.

The commission made their decision in favor of Hunt believing that the shooting was more likely than not connected to Hunt’s anti-gang efforts at the middle school and throughout the school district.  North Carolina school system officials tried to argue that they should not have to pay workers’ compensation to Hunt because the shooting happened off school property.

Contact the Fayetteville workers’ compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 today if you have questions about filing for workers’ compensation benefits.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2010/12/28/nc-school-district-to-pay-workers-comp-to-principle/feed/ 0 Workers' compensation insurance rates to increase http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2010/11/02/workers-compensation-insurance-rates-to-increase/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2010/11/02/workers-compensation-insurance-rates-to-increase/#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:58:41 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1626 After two years of decreases in workers’ compensation insurance rates in North Carolina, the North Carolina Rate Bureau approved a .06 percent increase in voluntary market rates and a 4.1 percent increase in the pooled, or assigned-risk, market.  The rate change will take affect on April 11, 2011.

The Rate Bureau was initially pushing to have rates increased by 1.2 percent in the voluntary market and 5.5 percent in the pooled market.  State regulators negotiated with the bureau and were able to settle at the lower rates.  With the lower rates, North Carolina business save $7 million.  Officials estimate that employers in North Carolina will pay $1.6 billion in insurance premiums next year.

Employers are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees in the case of an accident, injury or illness.  If you have been injured or disabled on the job and are not receiving the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve, contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to learn more.

]]> http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2010/11/02/workers-compensation-insurance-rates-to-increase/feed/ 0 Study finds NC has higher medical cost per claim http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2010/10/21/study-finds-nc-has-higher-medical-cost-per-claim/ http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/blog/2010/10/21/study-finds-nc-has-higher-medical-cost-per-claim/#comments Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:56:04 +0000 admin http://www.scudderandhedrick.net/?p=1616 In a 2007 study completed by the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute, statistics show North Carolina to have higher medical costs per claim than the other 14 states studied.  Researchers believe the high costs are a result of the fee schedule changes implemented in July 2009.

According to the study, North Carolina’s medical costs per claim are 14 percent higher than the median of states studied.  An average hospital payment per claim in North Carolina is just under $9,500.  The average inpatient payment was 49 percent higher than that of the median.

The fee schedule changes included lowering end caps on inpatient and outpatient reimbursement.  Inpatient hospitalization reimbursement dropped from 77.07 percent to 75 percent and outpatient reimbursement dropped from 95 percent to 79 percent.

If you or someone you know is seeking workers’ compensation, contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to learn more about your rights.

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