Raleigh Workers Compensation | Scudder & Hedrick

Massachusetts approves worker's compensation insurance cost decrease

Posted on May 14th, 2010 No Comments

Massachusetts lawmakers approved a 2.4 percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance costs this week, to go into effect starting September 1. The money saved through this should amount to around $22.5 million.

The decrease marks the tenth rate reduction in the Bay State since 1994.

“Lowering the cost of workers’ compensation insurance is very much in keeping with our larger goal of improving the state’s business climate so that we can grow the economy and create jobs,” Gov. Deval Patrick said.

Paul Meagher, president of the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts, disagrees. The organization had lobbied for 4.5 percent increase in rates prior to the passage of the new rate decrease.

“In today’s uncertain economic climate, maintaining a healthy voluntary market for workers’ compensation insurance will likely be a challenge given the continuing increase in claims severity and low expected industry investment returns,” he said. “The WCRIBMA is committed to working with its committees, members, regulators, and other stakeholders toward our shared goal of a stable and healthy workers’ compensation market in the Commonwealth,” Meagher said.

If you are looking for legal advice when it comes to worker’s compensation, contact the Raleigh workers compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, at 919-851-3311 today to learn more about your rights.

Compensation bill passes OK House

Posted on May 13th, 2010 No Comments

The previously proposed Oklahoma legislation to overhaul workers’ compensation recently passed in that state’s House of Representatives. Senate Bill 1973 will change the current compensation legal system by removing two of the judges from the court, taking the total number from ten to eight. Additionally, these judges will be limited to a single term of six to eight years, although current judges will be offered a single reappointment for an eight year term.

The legislation, if passed in the Senate, will define “major cause” in compensation cases. Also, it will exempt employers from injuries suffered outside employment, removing liability from them in these situations.

The legislation passed through the House with a 64-33 vote, and came through without an additional amendment that would have entirely dismantled the previous Workers’ Compensation Courts system, and simply ran all cases through the district civil courts.

Oklahoma state legislators were optimistic about the law’s potential to help employers through a tough economic period and, over all, smoothen the entire process for everyone involved.

If you or someone you love as been injured while working, you may be eligible for a range of legal options. Contact the Raleigh workers compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, at 919-851-3311 today to learn more about your rights.

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Exclusive Remedy Provisions in Workers' Compensation Laws

Posted on May 7th, 2010 No Comments

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in which workers are provided with benefits in they are injured in the course of their duties.

As a no-fault system, an employee does not have to prove that an employer was negligent to recover compensation. Additionally an employee’s negligence does not prevent them from receiving workmans comp benefits.

Workers compensation is designed to protect workers, but it also precludes them from suing employers in most cases. Provisions such as these are built into most state’s workers compensation laws and are called “Exclusive Remedy Provisions.” These provisions mean that if you are injured on the job the only way to obtain compensation is to file a workers compensation claim, which limits recovery as an employee is not entitled to punitive damages.

Injuries on the job can be common if appropriate safety measures are not taken to protect workers. If you or someone you love has been injured on the job, you may have a rightful claim to workers’ compensation for your injuries. For sound legal advice and assistance regarding your injury claim and workers’ compensation rights, contact a Raleigh workers’ compensation attorney of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, today at 919-851-3311.

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UIC Study: Chicago Workers Often Stiffed on Workers Comp Benefits, Minimum Wage

Posted on April 9th, 2010 No Comments

A new study released by the University of illinois at Chicago shows that wage theft is rampant among low income workers in the nation’s most populous county.

Wage theft has been a problem for a long time in Cook County, which encompasses Chicago. Experts say illegal immigrants, women, and minorities are particularly susceptible to wage theft. Employers often do not pay minimum wage, and deny workers’ compensation benefits.

The new study from University of Illinois at Chicago studied more than 1,000 workers. It shows the count loses $7.3 million each week in numerous industries because of violations of minimum wage and workers’ compensation laws. The study is called “Unregulated Work in Chicago.”

Researchers say wage theft affects at least 145,000 people in Cook County in industries like retail employees, child care, and housekeeping.

If you or someone you love has been injured at your job, you may be entitled to compensation from your employer to help cover the costs of your losses. To learn more, contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311.

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Injured Hot Air Balloon Pilot Denied Workers' Comp

Posted on April 9th, 2010 No Comments

A pilot of a hot-air balloon that crashed into a Vancouver-area trailer park three years ago, killing two people, has been denied workers compensation.

Stephen Pennock as the pilot of a balloon, carrying 13 people, that caught fire just before liftoff, snapped its tether and smashed down onto a trailer park. According to documents from a recent Worksafe review decision, the pilot has faced numerous problems since the incident, including burns to his body, and injuries from heat in both lungs.

Court documents show that the pilot also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression problems. Doctors say these problems are unlikely to improve until his legal issues are resolved.

The pilot told a review board that he has been living off credit cars and the sale of personal property for two years while he waited for temporary benefits to be paid. The review board, however, upheld a previous finding that the pilot had recovered from his physical injuries by January 2009.

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Plant set to close after explosion that killed four workers

Posted on March 26th, 2010 No Comments

A manufacturing plant in Garner is set to close after an explosion last June that killed four workers and injured many others.

ConAgra Foods announced earlier this month its plans to close the factory, which is still damaged after the explosion. The plant will relocate to Troy, Ohio, a move that will eliminate 450 jobs in the area. Many of the workers affected by the plant closing are those who were injured in the blast as well as those who worked to get the plant back up and running after the accident.

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