Workers Compensation Lawyer Blog

Electricians: Work Related Injuries

October 4, 2012 By James Hoffmann 4 Comments

Accidents happen every day at work, and often lead to injuries. When we think of all the safety hazards that electricians are faced with at work, the obvious injury is electrocution. However, there are many other factors that can also cause work related injuries to electricians while at work.

Here are some injuries specific to electricians:

Electrocution

Electrocution is the most common cause of injury for electricians. Electric shock can vary in severity. It can cause minor burns to severe heart problems, and can even be fatal.

Falling From Heights

At times electricians need to work at great heights, which makes things even more dangerous for them. When electrical wires need to be installed or repaired on roof spaces or in ceilings, electricians are at risk of falling. Obviously when electricians are needed to work at heights, they use ladders or other elevated platforms, which can be extremely dangerous. If there is improper scaffold construction, this can be a risk factor. There are certain regulations set in place for the protection of all the employees that need to work at heights. These regulations place the blame on the employer for any injuries that are caused by falling from heights.

Asbestos Exposure

Electricians who are exposed to asbestos are known to contract diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer and pleural disease. Although the utilization of asbestos has been put to an end, those who have contracted these diseases while it was being used are entitled to making injury claims.

Injuries Caused By Equipment

The nature of an electrician’s job deems it necessary for him to work with various kinds of equipment and tools on an everyday basis. Some common examples of misused equipment are:

Using circuit breakers or fuses with the wrong rating for over-current protection
Using modified cords or tools
Using cords or tools that have worn insulation or exposed wires

All equipment and machinery should be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent injuries.

Have you been injured in an accident?
Call (314) 361-4300.
Free Missouri Workers Compensation Consultation!

Free Workers Compensation Consultations

Our legal team has a strong history of helping injured workers get the medical attention and financial compensation that they need. Contact the St. Louis, Missouri workers compensation lawyers at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann to ensure that your rights are protected. Please call (314) 361-4300 or toll free at (888) 872-6795. You can also complete our Online Case Evaluation Form.

Workers & Industry

photo credit: Tobyotter

Missouri’s Efforts to Increase Farm Safety for Workers

October 2, 2012 By James Hoffmann Leave a Comment

Preventative measures are being taken in Missouri to help avoid such accidents.

It is estimated that there are more than 107,000 farms in Missouri, which employ nearly 300,000 workers. With such a large amount of workers there are, unfortunately, a lot of injuries and fatalities.

There are a number of high risk factors for farm workers. Most of the farm accidents and fatalities involve farm equipment and machinery. There are also dangerous chemical and pesticides that can be serious for workers if proper precautions are not taken.

Preventative measures are being taken in Missouri to help avoid such accidents. The Department of Labor and the Department of Agriculture have teamed up to create a safety program for all types of farms. The program is free.

The program includes the Department, upon request, to go out and examine equipment and check on operating procedures to make sure they are safe. Farmers can thus make their farms safer for their workers by working with these professionals.

Missouri Workers Compensation Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a work related injury call the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. Our legal team has a strong history of helping injured workers get the medical attention and financial compensation that they need. Contact our St. Louis, Missouri workers compensation law firm to ensure that your rights are protected. Please call (314) 361-4300 or toll free at (888) 872-6795. You can also complete our Online Case Evaluation Form.

photo credit: Adam Arthur

Medical Errors: Americans At Risk

September 26, 2012 By James Hoffmann Leave a Comment

Thousands are dying each year due to medical error in the U.S. and many go unreported.

The medical error statistics in the United States are overwhelming and alarming. By definition a medical error is a preventable adverse effect of care. It is estimated that as many as 98,000 Americans die each year due to medical errors in hospitals. This number reflects deaths that should have been preventable.

According to the Institute of Medicine, “To Err is Human.” However, there seems to be an unspoken rule among doctors to overlook the errors of their colleagues. While yes, it is true that doctors are only human, the facts suggest that mistakes are made due to doctors and other medical personnel that are hasty, sloppy and just don’t care.

Medical Error Statistics

It is estimated that surgeons in the U.S. operate on the wrong body part up to 40 times a week.
Medical errors cost the health-care system in the U.S. tens of billions of dollars, each year.
Medication errors harm as many as 1.5 million people in the U.S. annually.
Over 106,000 people die each year from adverse drug reactions.
More than half the people in the U.S. have received unnecessary medical treatments at some point.

The list of alarming statistics could go on and on. The question remains, how to protect yourself from being part of the statistics? One thing you can do is do your own research. Before having a surgery or other medical procedure, do your research on the hospital or medical facility you will be in. Do research on the doctor that you will be going to. Do not be afraid to ask questions; be determined not to be intimidated by doctors or other health-care professionals.

However, if you or someone you love has been the victim of medical errors, seek legal guidance. You may think there are thousands of lawsuits filed every year due to medical errors but compared with the statistics, that is not the case. Thousands are dying each year due to medical error in the U.S. and many go unreported.

St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys

Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. Though no amount of money can restore health or life or bring back a lost opportunity for recovery, a lawsuit can help ensure that another person does not suffer a similar fate. Call us today at (314) 606-5870 for a free and private consultation.

photo credit: Jose Goulao

The Dangers of Texting While Driving

September 24, 2012 By James Hoffmann Leave a Comment

Approximately 25% of all car accidents are due to a driver texting while driving. Car accident attorneys have the legal knowledge and experience to understand how to deal with situations involving drivers who text while driving.

On June 17, 2011, Governor Rick Perry of the state of Texas vetoed a law that would ban texting while driving in the state of Texas. This came as a shock to many lawmakers and concerned citizens in the state of Texas. Since the veto, many cities and counties have put it upon themselves to uphold higher standards of safety for their motorists.

While Texas does have partial bans on texting while driving, they are still in the minority on this issue. Ten states, including Texas, do not have full bans on drivers for texting while driving. The other forty states in the United States have strict measures on texting while driving.

On June 1, 2012, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a law to ban texting while driving in his state. Ohio became the 39^th state to ban texting while driving. It was soon followed by Idaho on July 1, 2012. There was a federal law signed on January 26, 2010 banning texting while driving for all truck drivers and bus drivers.

According to the National Safety Council, 1,600,000 accidents are caused due to texting while driving. The Institute for Highway Safety Fatality Facts reports that texting while driving is responsible for the deaths of 11 teenagers a day. The numbers do not lie, texting while driving is an unsafe practice.

According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute the effects of texting while driving are equal to that of driving while being blind for five seconds at a time. Braking speed is reduced by 18% when texting while driving. Teenagers report that texting while driving is the number one distraction for them when they are driving.

With all the statistics and reasons why not to text while driving, there are still about 800,000 drivers at any given moment who will text while driving. Approximately 25% of all car accidents are due to a driver texting while driving. Drivers should be more cautious while driving in order to avoid accidents with drivers who text while driving.

Approximately 25% of all car accidents are due to a driver texting while driving. Car accident attorneys have the legal knowledge and experience to understand how to deal with situations involving drivers who text while driving. Car accident attorneys are experienced in getting full compensation for negligence due to drivers who text while driving. Regardless of whether the state has a ban on texting and driving, a driver may still be entitled to compensation due to the negligence of the other party.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you love have been involved in a car accident, contact the St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. Schedule a free consultation by calling (314) 606-5870.

photo credit: Lord Jim

MO Workers Compensation: Occupational Diseases

September 21, 2012 By James Hoffmann Leave a Comment

The Missouri Workers Compensation law provides relief from the financial strain of being unable to return to work from being injured by an occupational disease. If the case has resulted in the death of a worker, certain surviving persons may be entitled to benefits as well.

What is an Occupational Disease?

An occupational disease is a condition or illness that occurs as a direct result of work or occupational activity. It is estimated that 860,000 illnesses and 60,300 deaths occur each year from workplace exposures in the United States.

It is important to note that the employee must prove that the medical condition and the disability resulting from it, are direct results of the work being done.

Here are some common examples of occupational diseases that are recognized by Missouri Workers Compensation Law:

Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and epicondylitis caused by repetitive motion of work related activities
Loss of hearing in one or both ears due to prolonged exposure to harmful noises in the workplace
Lung diseases due to bad indoor air quality, exposure to asbestosis or another dangerous type of air exposure at work

Free Workers Compensation Consultations

If you believe you have an illness or condition due to a work-related environment or other harmful work-related situation, contact the Missouri Workers Compensation lawyers at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. Our legal team has a strong history of helping injured workers get the medical attention and financial compensation that they need. Contact our St. Louis, Missouri workers compensation law firm to ensure that your rights are protected. Please call (314) 361-4300 or our 24 hour call center at (314) 606-5870.

photo credit: pwbaker

Preventing Workplace Injuries: Slips, Trips & Falls

September 10, 2012 By James Hoffmann 1 Comment

It important to remember that workplace safety needs to be everyone’s concern. Employees can improve their own safety by taking their time and paying attention to their surroundings.

There is a large percentage of workers that are injured annually due to fall accidents. They make up a significant portion of workers compensation commissions. It is important to understand how fall accidents happen, identify the trouble areas and try to minimize the threat of falling.

Statistics show that a large percentage of falls occur on the same level, where the remaining amount are from a height. Slips happen when there is not enough traction between a workers footwear and the surface they are walking on. This can occur if the floor is wet or oily or when the flooring does not have the same amount of traction in all areas.

Trips occur when a person’s foot strikes an object causing them to lose balance. If there is poor lighting, uneven walking surfaces or wrinkled carpet, these accidents can occur.

Many of these accidents can be avoided if the proper precautions are taken. These include:

– cleaning spills immediately
– making sure light bulbs are changed regularly
– securing rugs or carpets so they don’t wrinkle
– keeping walkways clear of tools or other obstacles

It is important for employees to wear proper footwear at all times. OSHA gives a complete list of appropriate types of footwear for safety.

Finally it important to remember that workplace safety needs to be everyone’s concern. Employees can improve their own safety by taking their time and paying attention to their surroundings.

Have you been injured in an accident?
Call (314) 606-5870.
Free Missouri Workers Compensation Consultation!

Free Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Consultations

If you have been injured on the job due to unsafe work conditions, contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann by calling (314) 606-5870 today! The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann will evaluate your case thoroughly, explore all potential sources of recovery and preserve your rights under the law.

Find out about other types of work related injuries.

photo credit: granth

Workers Compensation Lawyer Blog

Electrocution

Falling From Heights

Asbestos Exposure

Injuries Caused By Equipment

Have you been injured in an accident? Call (314) 361-4300. Free Missouri Workers Compensation Consultation!

Free Workers Compensation Consultations

Workers & Industry

Preventative measures are being taken in Missouri to help avoid such accidents.

Missouri Workers Compensation Lawyers

Thousands are dying each year due to medical error in the U.S. and many go unreported.

Medical Error Statistics

St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys

Approximately 25% of all car accidents are due to a driver texting while driving. Car accident attorneys have the legal knowledge and experience to understand how to deal with situations involving drivers who text while driving.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

What is an Occupational Disease?

Free Workers Compensation Consultations

It important to remember that workplace safety needs to be everyone’s concern. Employees can improve their own safety by taking their time and paying attention to their surroundings.

Have you been injured in an accident? Call (314) 606-5870. Free Missouri Workers Compensation Consultation!

Free Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Consultations

Have you been injured in an accident?
Call (314) 361-4300.
Free Missouri Workers Compensation Consultation!

Have you been injured in an accident?
Call (314) 606-5870.
Free Missouri Workers Compensation Consultation!