Fayetteville Personal Injury Law Blog

What you need to know about the hierarchy of controls

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Friday, December 6, 2019.

Whether you work in a factory, on a rig, at a farm or anywhere else, you experience potential hazards every time you clock in. After all, heights, equipment, heat, chemicals and other workplace dangers pose a risk to any worker. Fortunately, there are several measures your employer can take to keep you safe at work.

Some jobs are inherently dangerous. Still, for many organizations, completing hazardous tasks are essential to business. Put simply, your employer has a duty to keep you safe at work. To do so, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends going through the hierarchy of controls. This top-down approach promotes worker safety by controlling worker exposure to hazardous conditions. Here is how it works:

Workplace injuries from broken equipment

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

Like many of your neighbors, you must work to support yourself and your family members. If your job requires using equipment, you must realize that damaged or poorly maintained tools can leave you with a life-altering injury. Not only can such an injury make performing your job duties nearly impossible, but it can also destroy your overall quality of life.

From traumatic brain injuries to paralysis, serious injuries are not exactly rare when working with damaged or poorly maintained equipment. If you sustain an on-the-job injury because of bad equipment, you likely have some options for pursuing fair compensation.

Can the state tax workers' compensation payments?

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

Injuries are an unfortunate part of employees' lives. These accidents are more common in certain industries than others, but pretty much every business that operates in North Carolina needs to have workers' compensation. The law states that any business with a minimum of three employees must have this coverage regardless of whether the organization has classifications as a corporation, limited liability company, sole proprietorship or any other designation.

After sustaining an injury on the job, the employee may not be able to return to work and earn a normal salary for a while. Workers' compensation provides funds so that the individual can still provide for his or her home life in the meantime. When filing a worker's comp claim for the first time, a litany of questions will likely arise, and many employees want to ask, "Will North Carolina tax my worker's comp payments?"

Are you at risk for an asbestos-related disease?

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Asbestos is an umbrella term for a group of six naturally occurring minerals that together, create a known carcinogen. It is also a serious health hazard affecting countless Americans. Most Americans will undergo exposure to asbestos at some point during their lives. However, if you make your living in certain industries or work environments, your risk of prolonged exposure to asbestos, and suffering serious health complications as a result, may be far higher than that of the average American.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the dangers associated with asbestos exposure are well-documented, so much so that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned all use of the substance back in 1989. While the ban has certainly reduced the nationwide risk of asbestos exposure, many workers still undergo exposure to the substance. When they do, serious health issues can arise.

Classifying routine events and work accidents

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Friday, October 11, 2019.

People get hurt in accidents every day. For many individuals, unexpected accidents can take a hefty financial toll.

If the accident occurs while a person is at work, it may be possible for the party to receive workers' compensation. However, its classification as a work accident rather than a routine event is critical.

3 things to know about workers' compensation payments

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Saturday, September 14, 2019.

Getting injured at work can cause you to feel overwhelmed and confused as to what to do. You likely will experience much worry about your physical, occupational and financial future.

Gaining knowledge about the process can help you focus and get through this emotionally difficult time. Start with knowing these three things about workers' compensation payments.

Key aspects of North Carolina's dog bite laws

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Thursday, September 12, 2019.

Dogs are man's best friend. However, when dogs attack, they can quickly become someone's worst nightmare.

If you or a loved one have been a victim of a dog attack, you may be able to seek restitution. Before filing a claim, there are a few important things to understand.

5 ways dangerous drivers cause car accidents

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Sunday, August 18, 2019.

Even if you are the most mindful driver in the world, nothing can guarantee that you will never be in a car accident. Sadly, even if you never make mistakes and are always alert, there are plenty of negligent motorists who may crash into you. Dangerous drivers cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year.

Unfortunately, there is no shortage of inexperienced, careless and reckless drivers on the road. Here are a few of the most common driving behaviors that result in car accidents.

Tips for preventing repetitive stress injuries at work

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

Repetitive stress injuries are common in a wide variety of jobs and work duties. Whether you work in an office, construction site or retail environment, you may be prone to repetitive strain. Simple actions such as typing, grabbing tools or scanning items can injure you. These injuries accumulate due to repetitive motions. Common RSIs include:

Tendonitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow
Trigger finger

If your job causes you to develop this type of injury, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. That said, you may also be able to prevent these injuries.

Why workers’ comp is called the “compensation bargain”

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Sunday, July 14, 2019.

You may not have paid much attention to workers’ compensation until now, after suffering a work-related injury and are in a position to file a claim.

This may be a good time for a brief review of this form of insurance and why it is called the “compensation bargain.”