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…

Continue Reading

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…

Continue Reading

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…

Continue Reading

When You Need Surgery and the Work Comp Insurer Won’t Cover It

Jul 01 2016

It’s heart-wrenching when people come into our office and tell us that an insurer denied a procedure that their doctor recommended. Often, these procedures are the very things that will make their lives better. Insurance companies will do anything to save themselves money, or, as they see it, “manage costs.” We used to defend Colorado workers’ comp insurance companies, so we have firsthand knowledge of insurance company tactics to deny surgeries. Today, we help injured people avoid or counteract those very tactics. We are passionate about this work because we care deeply about our clients and their futures. Arrange a…

Continue Reading

Why trenching and excavation is so dangerous for workers – III

Jun 29 2016

In a series of ongoing posts, our blog has been examining how trenches are one of the single most dangerous locations for construction workers owing to the risks of collapses and the fact that a single cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as an automobile. We’ve also been exploring some of the trenching and excavation requirements devised by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to protect workers from this danger. In today’s post, the third in a series, we’ll conclude our examination by taking a closer look at some of the different types of protective systems employed to…

Continue Reading

NIOSH urges young workers to remain vigilant in retail settings

Jun 24 2016

Now that school is officially out for both high school and college students, millions of young people will officially be entering the workforce seeking to earn money to cover everything from car insurance and cell phone bills to clothes and, of course, tuition. While this type of initiative is certainly to be praised, it’s nevertheless important for these young people to understand that by virtue of their inexperience and lack of training, they are at an elevated risk of suffering workplace injuries. If you don’t believe it, consider the following statistics from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:…

Continue Reading

Why trenching and excavation is so dangerous for workers – II

Jun 22 2016

Last week, our blog began discussing how a considerable amount of subterranean construction work involves trenching and excavation, meaning a process by which cuts are made below ground with the depth being greater than the width and the width measuring no more than 15 feet. We also discussed how, contrary to popular belief, trenches are actually one of the most dangerous locations at worksites given the risk of collapses, which statistics show claim the lives of two people every month here in the U.S. In today’s post, the second in a series, we’ll start examining some of the trenching and…

Continue Reading

How the SSA’s CAL initiative helps those with grave illnesses

Jun 17 2016

One of the unfortunate realities about seeking benefits either through the Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income programs is that decisions can sometimes take months or even years if an applicant exercises their various options for appeal. While there is sometimes no way around this, questions naturally arise as to what, if anything, can be done when an applicant for either SSDI benefits or SSI benefits has been diagnosed with an incredibly serious condition and time is of the essence. The good news is that the Social Security Administration has recognized the hardship that can result in these…

Continue Reading

The dangers of road construction work

Jun 17 2016

Road construction workers face considerable risk of suffering on-the-job injuries. Several factors associated with the road construction industry can increase the risk of injury or death. One well-documented cause of injury comes from crashes on roads with active construction zones. Construction vehicles backing into workers, automobile drivers failing to heed reduced speed signs and other serious negligence cause thousands of injuries every year. Statistics on road construction injuries The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that “639 workers were killed while working at a road construction site” between 2003 and 2007. Almost half of the fatalities occurred due…

Continue Reading

Why trenching and excavation is so dangerous for workers

Jun 15 2016

While it’s easy to think that construction projects are largely confined to the surfaces and skies around us, the reality is that there are just as many projects, if not more, taking place on a subterranean level from the digging of foundations to the laying of sewer pipes. In fact, it’s important to understand that with this type of work comes unique and considerable danger to construction workers, including hazards associated with the process of trenching and excavation. For those unfamiliar with these terms, trenching and excavation is essentially the process by which narrow manmade cuts are made below the…

Continue Reading