Workers’ Compensation Attorney | Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC.

Red phosphorus explosion takes worker’s fingers

Posted on July 6th, 2012 No Comments

A worker for O.C. Lugo Company, Inc., a chemical distribution company located just outside of Pittsburgh, has lost some of his fingers in a blast that occurred while he was mixing red phosphorous, a chemical that is normally known to be stable.

Firefighters and chemists are unsure exactly what caused the explosion.

Another worker at the company complained of ringing in his ears after inhaling the resulting fumes. The company evacuated the building until it was sure the situation was safe and under control.

Exposure to toxic chemicals can have many harmful effects. If you were exposed to toxic chemicals on the job, contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC ,at 919-851-3311.

North Carolina passes law closing workers’ compensation loopholes

Posted on June 29th, 2012 No Comments

North Carolina lawmakers have passed a bill that closes a workers’ compensation loophole that allowed thousands of employers to get away with not providing the otherwise mandatory injury insurance coverage to their employees.

The law, HB 273, was endorsed by Nelson Dollar, a republican representing Wake county. Its provisions were recommended by the North Carolina Rate Bureau and the Industrial Commission.

The law will require the commission to gather information about employers who may be shirking their obligation to provide workers’ compensation coverage, allowing it to pursue the lax employers who don’t have the necessary insurance.

If you were injured on the job, you should get the facts on workers’ compensation. Contact the workers’ compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, at 919-851-3311.

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NASCAR team fined for not providing mandatory workers’ compensation

Posted on June 12th, 2012 No Comments

NASCAR group HP Racing, now known as Phil Parsons Racing, has been fined by the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) for not providing workers’ compensation to its employees.

The state of North Carolina requires employers with three or more employees to provide workers’ compensation coverage. The NCIC determined that the NASCAR team was not providing coverage to its employees between February 2011 and October 2011.

In addition to the fine levied by the NCIC, the team must pay for the medical costs and wages of an employee who suffered work-related injuries during that time. The company is also being investigated for workers’ compensation fraud for its actions during that time period.

If you have been hurt on the job and are being denied the workers’ compensation you need, contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, at 919-851-3311.

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Prescription painkillers driving up workers’ comp costs

Posted on June 7th, 2012 No Comments

Narcotic painkillers (opioids) are one of the fastest-growing expenses for workplace insurers, costing them $1.4 billion annually. In addition to these financial consequences, opioids can have dangerous repercussions on workers’ health as well.

The prescription of these painkillers is becoming a major problem as identified by a 2008 study by the California Workers Compensation Institute. Researchers found that workers who take strong painkillers such as opioids during their recovery take longer to recover than those who take weaker drugs or those who do not take painkillers at all.

In addition to potentially delaying a person’s recovery after an injury, high doses of opioids can lead to dependence, addiction, and general drowsiness.

If you are hurt on the job, it is important that you understand the facts of workers’ compensation. If your claim has been denied, contact the workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, at 919-851-3311.

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