OSHA introduces long overdue updates to walking-working surfaces standards

Nov 23 2016

A few weeks back, our blog spent some time discussing workplace falls, examining why they are so common, what construction workers can do in the unfortunate event they are injured in these types of on-the-job mishaps, and how employers in this industry are required to abide by rules and regulations designed to create a safe work environment. Interestingly enough, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration released a final rule just last week that will introduce considerable change in the general industry as it relates to fall prevention, bringing it more in line with the construction industry. Specifically, OSHA’s final…

Continue Reading

What ‘wounded warriors’ need to know about securing disability benefits – II

Nov 15 2016

In a previous post, we began exploring how members of our nation’s armed forces who suffer a disabling injury are eligible for benefits through both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Disability Insurance program. Indeed, we discussed how “Wounded Warriors” who suffered their injury or illness while on active duty anytime on or after October 1, 2001 receive expedited processing of their disability claims from the Social Security Administration. We also discussed how service members are also able to receive benefits for a prior disability even if their health has since improved — i.e., for a “closed…

Continue Reading

Workplace falls are all too common

Nov 11 2016

Familiarity breeds complacency. When the work environment is at height — whether on a ladder, a lift or a roof — familiarity can lead to accidents that never should have happened. Workplace accidents aren’t just about forgetting your surroundings, though. They’re caused by dangerous conditions, improper technique (possibly caused by improper training) and faulty equipment or set-up. Prevention is a twofold approach that requires awareness and education, but also protective measures: literal safety nets. Why are falls so common? Falls have been a primary cause of construction deaths for a long time. Why? In its annual list of most common citations, OSHA says fall…

Continue Reading

Report: Workplace injuries and illnesses continued to decline in 2015

Nov 08 2016

One of the points we strive to emphasize on our blog is that work injuries can happen at any time to any worker in any sector. Of course, our purpose in this is not to cause unnecessary alarm among workers, but rather to help them understand that they don’t have to feel afraid if they are injured on the job, as they are far from alone in this regard and, perhaps more significantly, that workers’ compensation benefits can supply a much-needed financial lifeline in these situations. In keeping with this idea, consider the recent release of the 2015 Employer-Reported Workplace…

Continue Reading

Which states have the highest, lowest work comp rates in the nation?

Nov 01 2016

For the last 30 years, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has been releasing a biennial report comparing and contrasting the workers’ compensation rates of each state with the national median rate, which currently stands at $1.84 per $100 of payroll. The most recent edition of this much-anticipated report was released just a few weeks ago with the usual suspects filling the same slots and, of course, some surprises. How is the study structured? The researchers utilize a constant set of risk classifications in order to put each state’s work comp rates on comparable terms. Once this is…

Continue Reading

What ‘wounded warriors’ need to know about securing disability benefits

Oct 27 2016

It’s extremely important for those brave men and women who suffered some manner of disabling injury while serving in our nation’s armed forces to understand that they may be entitled to more than just the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Indeed, they may also be able to secure benefits via the Social Security Disability Insurance program. The SSDI program is structured in such a manner that these “wounded warriors” can receive expedited processing of their disability claims from Social Security Administration staff. As to which armed forces personnel are eligible for this expedited processing, the SSA offers…

Continue Reading

Alverson + O’Brien on USA Legal News Brief Radio This Weekend

Oct 27 2016

We are happy to share that we will be appearing on USA Legal News Brief Radio this Saturday, October 29, 2016 between 2:00 and 3:00pm. We will be discussing topics related to Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance. These are our professional specialties, and we hope to answer many of the questions people have about their situations and offer assistance or direction in your time of need. The local radio stations are 95.3FM and 1220AM. We hope you tune in. Visit the radio stations’ website for more information. You can listen live online by going to this tune in…

Continue Reading

Am I eligible for temporary disability benefits? – III

Oct 18 2016

In today’s post, we’ll continue with our discussion of temporary total disability benefits — otherwise known as TTD benefits — which are available to those workers here in Colorado who are left completely disabled for a relatively short amount of time To recap, TTD benefits provide injured workers with two-thirds of their average weekly wage (subject to a predetermined limit), are payable a minimum of once every two weeks, and taxable at neither the state nor federal level. Under what circumstances would an injured worker see their TTD benefits reduced? It’s important for injured workers to understand that their TTD…

Continue Reading

Report: Work comp laws in 33 states engaged in ‘race to the bottom’

Oct 13 2016

Over the last ten days, the majority of people have more than likely seen their daily dose of news coverage consumed by reports relating to the imminent presidential election. While this comprehensive reporting makes sense, it can sometimes serve to push other important stories to the backburner. For example, many people might have overlooked the release of a fascinating and potentially game-changing report from the U.S. Department of Labor examining the approach of the 50 states towards workers’ compensation and characterizing 33 of them as engaged in a “race to the bottom.” The report was prompted by a letter sent…

Continue Reading

Report identifies emerging safety issues in the healthcare field

Oct 04 2016

As we’ve made clear in previous posts, those men and women who earning a living in the healthcare sector as nurses, nursing assistants and aides are at an elevated risk of suffering serious work-related injuries given the physical demands and other risks they encounter during the course of a typical shift. Interestingly enough, Aon Global Risk Consulting recently released its much-anticipated biennial report on workers’ compensation in the healthcare field, which in addition to examining the severity, frequency and total loss rates associated with work comp claims, also identified emerging trends of which employers and employees alike should be aware….

Continue Reading