Tag Archives: medical expenses

Workplace injuries major health concern among employees

In Kansas City, if a person suffers a workplace injury, the state workers’ compensation system takes care of all of the expenses. The problem is that workplace injuries are not uncommon. Sometimes, they can lead to serious consequences and sometimes the injuries can even lead to brain injury and death. It can also be difficult to find the responsible party in the event of such a tragedy.

According to recent statistics, employers from the U.S. pay $1 billion each week for the cost of direct workers compensation. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the problem of repetitive motion injury is growing and this results in about 23 days of work absence for each incident.

The most common form of injury experienced by janitors and custodial workers is a shoulder injury. To reduce work-related injuries, companies should provide physical therapy and occupational health programs to employees. It is very important to prevent injuries by educating employees and modifying their workplace environment.

Workers compensation provides benefits for those who have suffered work-related injuries. It covers medical and wage benefits. An employee can seek benefits for various injuries caused by toxic materials, work-related accidents, and repetitive stress injuries.

If employees are injured in a workplace in Kansas, or any other state because of negligence, they may request the advice from an experienced attorney and seek compensation for their injury in the form of medical expenses and lost wages. A professional attorney may help an injured worker gain better insight into any work-related injury and offer advice on what the next steps for the injured employee should be.

Source: News Medical, “BU faculty develops physical therapy intervention to minimize workplace injury, reduce costs,” Feb. 25, 2014

Kansas FedEx worker injured on the job, dies in hospital

A workplace accident can happen to anyone at any time. Even in the most unlikely scenarios, an unexpected fall or roof collapse can take someone by surprise and result in injuries — or, in the worst case scenario, rob a worker of their life.

A worker died recently in suburban Kansas. The man, a 62-year-old FedEx employee, was taken to a hospital after being pinned between a dock and a trailer. A trailer was pulling out of the FedEx lot when the man slipped under it. He died while being treated for his injuries. The accident is under investigation and the cause was not immediately known.

When a worker is killed or injured on the job, there can be many complications for both the victim and the victim’s family and loved ones. Of course, every accident — whether it results in mere cuts and bruises or a fatality — has the potential to be traumatic, and there is often lasting emotional pain and suffering.

But then there is the pain and suffering that can be costly in a more literal sense. In many cases, contracting an illness or suffering an injury at work will result in lost wages — something family members and victims often cannot afford. What’s more, victims and their families are often left with hefty medical expenses from hospitalization and the long-term treatments these injuries and illnesses can require.

Thankfully, there is a way for victims involved in such accidents and their families to claim benefits from their employers. Even when the employer is not at fault, workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits that offer employees the chance to receive an exclusive remedy to help ease the pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Source: The Kansas City Star, “FedEx worker dies after being pinned between dock and truck in Shawnee,” Nov. 20, 2013

Workers’ compensation on the rise for U.S. postal workers

When Kansas residents think of injuries occurring in the workplace, they may often think of construction workers, bricklayers and miners as being some of the most dangerous occupations. However, recent reports indicate that United States’ postal workers have a demanding job as well, resulting in an increased number of injuries and increased workers’ compensation insurance.

The Government Accountability Office has reported that in 2012, there were over 32,000 injuries reported by employees of the postal service. In addition, the cost of workers’ compensation increased nearly 70% between 2009 and 2012. Workers compensation insurance for 2012 amounted to $3.7 billion.

While the postal worker’s job may seem relatively safe, many injuries are reported due the extremely physical and repetitive nature of the job. Also, while the nature of the work may be repetitive, there are many different ways a postal worker may injured. Injuries occurring from dog bites, falls and collisions with vehicles were all reported. For postal workers, the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act provides funding for medical benefits to workers who suffer both permanent and temporary disabilities.

There may be Kansas workers who are not employed by the federal government, but who become injured on the job. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits are mandated by every state and can provide for medical expenses, training for new positions, as well as compensation for any permanent injuries that are suffered. One does not have to be in a dangerous job to collect workers compensation benefits.

Any Kansas resident who has been injured on the job may benefit from the expertise and guidance of experienced workers’ compensation legal professionals. They will ensure that the injured worker receives all the compensation to which they are entitled.

Source: Insurance Journal, “Neither Rain Nor Sleet But Dog Bites: Post Office Workers’ Injury Claims,” Sept. 27, 2013

Worker suffers multiple injuries on the job

Kansas residents work hard. Whether one works in a factory, on a construction site or behind a desk, on-the-job injuries happen all the time. Accidents can occur due to negligence of the employer or they can occur for no reason at all. Regardless of the circumstances, Kansas workers will have a claim for workers’ compensation to assist with injuries sustained while working on the job.

An oil company worker for Hydrostatic Oil Field Testing Inc. has suffered multiple injuries after being trapped on a derrick. The worker was trapped when parts of the structure began to fall apart. It took rescue workers two hours to free the employee. Rescue workers had to strap a harness to the man and lower him from the broken platform to the ground.

The worker is approximately 35 years of age and suffered both leg injuries and arm injuries from the accident. He was flown by helicopter to Texarkana hospital to be treated for his injuries.

When a worker suffers an on-the-job injury, they are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are mandated by every state. Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to cover injuries that are sustained do to the negligence or carelessness of the employer, as well as the employee. Workers’ compensation does not cover the pain and suffering of the victim, but will cover medical expenses and permanent disabilities that the injured worker has suffered. However, by filing a workers’ compensation claim, one can be precluded from filing a personal injury lawsuit against their employer.

There are benefits to filing a workers’ compensation claim, as well as a personal injury lawsuit. Experienced workers compensation legal professional can assess the specific details of one’s unique case and determine what the proper course of action would be to ensure the victims receives everything to which they are entitled.

Source: Arkansas Online, “Worker injured after oil derrick breaks in Miller County“, Sept. 23, 2013

OHSA cites company for multiple safety violations

Residents in Johnson City, Kansas, are no stranger to hard work. Whether one has a job with multiple occupational hazards, or one works behind a desk, employees are entitled to a safe work environment.

Recently, a metal finishing company has gotten itself into hot water with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OHSA inspected the work place after workers had complained that they were not evacuated when there was a gas leak on the premises. OHSA found 14 safety violations being committed by the company, including failure to train its employees on proper use of industrial equipment, inadequate labeling of hazardous material and failure to perform medical evaluations on its employees for proper respirator use.

The company faces penalties over $46,000. The company can choose to contest the violations found by the OHSA inspectors, or if it does not contest the findings, the company must fix the violations in the time frame given by OHSA and pay the penalties assessed.

Fortunately, no employee was harmed as a result of the multiple violations found in their work place. Not all individuals are so lucky. When an employee is hurt on the job, they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Worker’s compensation benefits are mandated by every state. They require employers to make payments to employees who suffer injuries connected to their work.

Employers often carry worker’s compensation insurance to provide for injured employees. This insurance covers the employee’s medical expenses, lost wages, additional compensation for injuries that will not heal, as well as compensation to the loved ones of employees who are killed while on the job. Not all injuries are covered under workers’ compensation insurance. It is crucial that any individual who has been injured in the work place ensure that their rights are protected and seek the appropriate assistance in pursuit of justice.

Source: OSHA.gov, “Badger Metal Finishing cited by US Labor Department’s OSHA for 14 violations, including failing to evacuate workers during a natural gas leak,” August 12, 2013