Car Accident On The Job? You May Be Entitled To Workers’ Comp.

Aug 01 2016

If you were involved in a car accident while working, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. In fact, it is in your best interests to seek compensation from both the other driver (through a personal injury claim) and your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer. You deserve to receive full benefits for your injuries, and that means going after all forms of compensation available to you. At Alverson + O’Brien, we help professional drivers and other workers receive workers’ compensation benefits after on-the-job motor vehicle accidents. We offer free consultations where you can learn how we will put you first and…

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How is my medical care covered under work comp insurance?

Jul 29 2016

As we discussed in a previous post, once an employer’s insurance carrier determines that an injured worker is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, it will issue what is known as an Admission of Liability. While this might seem like not much more than a just another step in a seemingly arcane process, it’s actually very significant from the standpoint of medical benefits. That’s because once the Admission of Liability is filed, it means all authorized medical providers will seek reimbursement directly from the insurance company going forward. What exactly does workers’ compensation insurance cover in terms of medical expenses? So…

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How an American icon shifted gears on workplace safety

Jul 27 2016

Whether you are an avid golfer or fisher, reader or jogger, gardener or cook, the opportunity to leave your current job to work for a company that deals directly with your passion is one that you most likely wouldn’t pass up. Indeed, the idea of working for the preeminent American motorcycle company Harley-Davidson probably sounds like a dream come true for those gearheads among us who have a love of all things motorcycles. According to company officials, however, working for the company was more akin to a nightmare in the not-so-distant past owing to a checkered health and safety record….

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How outdoor workers can stay safe in extreme heat – II

Jul 22 2016

In our last post, we discussed how those men and women who work outdoors are susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and took a closer look at these two dangerous heat illnesses in order to help these workers better protect themselves. As it turns out, the need for this discussion has become even more pressing given that much of the nation, including Colorado, is currently in the midst of a major heat wave that has made conditions not just oppressive, but hazardous. In today’s post, we’ll examine some steps that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says employers must…

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How outdoor workers can stay safe in extreme heat

Jul 20 2016

Temperatures across much of the U.S. are expected to spike dramatically over the next few days, including here in Colorado. Indeed, the forecast is currently calling for the Denver metropolitan area to see the mercury rise to as high as 96 degrees by Friday. It’s important to understand that while these high temperatures may seem like nothing more than annoyance for many workers — perhaps resulting in having to make sure the air conditioning is set and some wrinkled clothes — it can nevertheless pose a very serious and potentially deadly health risk for others. If you don’t believe it,…

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Can I secure work comp benefits and disability benefits?

Jul 15 2016

If a work-related injury or illness has left you unable to perform the same duties you once did or unable to perform any duties whatsoever, your foremost concern is understandably how you can offset this loss of income and continue to put food on the table. As we’ve discussed before, those who find themselves in this unenviable position can take solace in the fact that they will likely be able to secure much-needed financial assistance via workers’ compensation benefits. However, they should also be aware that they may be able to secure additional financial assistance via the Social Security disability…

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Understanding what can — and should — happen after a work injury – II

Jul 13 2016

In a previous post, we started discussing how in the immediate aftermath of a work-related accident, it can be less than clear to injured workers how exactly they should proceed if they know they will be unable to return to their duties in the near future. To that end, we began discussing how the law in Colorado requires employees to notify their employer in writing of any and all work-related injuries within four days of the incident. In today’s post, we’ll continue this important discussion. The good news for injured workers is that once this step is taken, the matter…

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Committed and compassionate advocacy for workers with neck, back injuries

Jul 08 2016

When it comes to on-the-job injuries, many workplaces have an unspoken — and highly unfortunate — mentality that in the absence of catastrophic harm, employees should silently endure any significant pain or discomfort. For example, if a worker strains their neck or hurts their back, they will be expected to keep the matter to themselves, get their work done and deal with the injury on their own time. As frustrating as this notion of “toughing it out” can be, it can be even more frustrating when a worker who has seriously injured their neck or back actually has the courage…

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Some important safety considerations for work in the cleaning sector

Jul 07 2016

According to figures from the U.S. Department of Labor, upwards of 2.3 million people were employed as janitors and building cleaners as recently as 2014, with employment in the field projected to continue growing over the next decade thanks in large part to the growth of healthcare facilities. While many people are drawn to work in this industry owing to the fact that it requires no formal education or work experience, it’s not without its drawbacks. Indeed, the DOL indicates that janitors and building cleaners must often work evening hours, and perform work that can be unpleasant, physically demanding and…

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Understanding what can — and should — happen after a work injury

Jul 01 2016

As we’ve made abundantly clear on our blog, it’s imperative for no one, no matter what job sector they work in or type of work they perform, to believe that they are somehow immune from workplace accidents and injuries. Indeed, just as easily as a warehouse worker can injure their back moving a pallet, so too can an office worker relocating a box of printer paper. All of this naturally raises the question as to what workers can — and should do — in the event the unthinkable happens, such that they find themselves having suffered a serious or possibly…

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