Fayetteville Personal Injury Law Blog

Work injuries: Do you have repetitive strain injury?

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Friday, August 7, 2020.

Whether you report every day to a brick and mortar office in North Carolina or work from home, you may be at risk for on-the-job injuries. Especially, if your work involves typing, standing for long hours on an assembly line, or lifting and loading objects on and off a truck. While these types of jobs may not be as dangerous as working on electrical wires or using heavy agriculture machinery, office work or any job that requires repeated motions or postures carries a significant risk for repetitive strain injury (RSI).

RSI typically develops over time. Maybe you have noticed that your wrist or forearm has been hurting, or, perhaps, you have inflammation or swelling that occurs intermittently or doesn't seem to go away at all. There are numerous signs that suggest you might have RSI, so if your workplace duties require repetitive motion or posture, you'll want to learn as much as you can about this condition and also know where to seek support, if you believe you have RSI.

A denied workers' comp claim: What's next?

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Friday, August 7, 2020.

A work injury can be expensive. If you were hurt at work, you may need medical care and time away from work to recover. Doctors and necessary treatment can be costly, and if you are unable to work, you are not bringing in your normal paycheck. This can be financially devastating for a North Carolina family, especially when there are other bills to pay.

If you suffered an injury in a work accident, you may have grounds to file a workers' compensation claim. Workers' compensation comes through your employer's insurance policy, and it can provide you with financial support during your time of recovery. Even with a valid claim and work-related injury, your claim could come back denied. At this point, an appeals process can allow you to continue your pursuit of benefits.

When is it necessary to hire a workers' compensation attorney?

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Thursday, July 30, 2020.

Have you suffered a workplace injury? Are you unsure of how to navigate the workers' compensation claims process? If you work in North Carolina, you may want to arrange a free consultation with an experienced workers' compensation attorney. If your injury is minor and you did not lose many workdays, advice and guidelines might be all you need.

A lawyer can answer your questions and explain the process. If you do not expect your employer to challenge your claim, you might not need legal counsel after the initial consultation. Moreover, if you know the workers' compensation process and your claim is not complicated, you can represent yourself.

Hauling chemical cargo poses unique risks

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Thursday, July 2, 2020.

If you are a commercial truck driver based in North Carolina, you will face multiple hazards other than road accidents. The risks range from musculoskeletal injuries to whole-body vibration and more. However, when it comes to hauling hazardous chemicals, the danger levels are significantly higher. Many chemicals present unique safety challenges, and you and your employer must adhere to all the safety standards.

Along with the measures to keep truck operators safe comes the responsibility to ensure that the recipients of the chemicals receive properly labeled products and that nothing or no one compromised the stability of those products during the trip. It might be a good idea to learn more about the risks and how to mitigate them.

Truckers face a whole lot more than road accident hazards

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Friday, June 12, 2020.

If you earn your living hauling cargo between North Carolina and other states, you put your life on the line each day. Along with the typical risks of road accidents, your occupation will expose you to a range of other work-related injuries. Reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate a rise in trucking deaths and injuries, while other industries are becoming safer.

Tens of thousands of big rig drivers lose work hours each year, and you can take precautions to avoid injuries. Although your employer is responsible for your safety at work, the nature of your job puts your safety in your own hands whenever you are on the road. Cuts, lacerations, sprains, strains, fractures and ergonomic injuries are not uncommon for commercial vehicle operators, and a variety of traumatic injuries lead to workers' compensation claims each year.

Even teachers face work-related hazards

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

You deserve a safe workplace environment regardless of your chosen career. If you are a teacher in North Carolina, you may not realize that some of the risks faced by construction workers also threaten your safety. Although you will not need a fall arrest harness for working on elevated platforms, some of your tasks as a teacher could leave you with fall-related injuries.

Regardless of which authoritative body mandates work safety in your occupation, your employer must identify potential safety hazards and take steps to protect you and your colleagues. Whether that body is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or another agency with safety guidelines to protect educators in North Carolina, you may want to familiarize yourself with the steps to take in the event of a work-related injury.

Does your employer comply with prescribed safety standards?

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

Employers nationwide, including North Carolina, must comply with the safety standards prescribed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Sadly, many employers choose to focus on the bottom line instead of employee safety. OSHA prescribes safety regulations for general industry, with which all employers must comply, and also industry-specific standards, such as those that apply to the construction industry.

If you are a construction worker, you will benefit from learning the safety standards mandated for your industry. With that knowledge, you can advocate for your own safety by reporting safety violations to OSHA. There will always be risks on construction sites, but it is when workers suffer preventable injuries that they might want to report dangerous conditions to authorities.

What can you expect from your employer regarding workers' comp?

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Thursday, April 30, 2020.

The intent of workers' compensation insurance is to protect the interests of workers who suffer an injury at work or who become ill as a result of exposure in the workplace. Most employers have to carry this type of insurance coverage, and you have the right to file a claim in the event of a work-related injury or illness. It may be in your interests to understand what benefits are available to you and what you can expect from your employer.

Employers have certain responsibilities regarding workers' compensation. As an employee, you will find it beneficial to know what these responsibilities include and what to do if you need to file a claim. Understanding the workers' compensation claims process is an important step in protecting your rights and interests after a work accident.

Concerning issues for North Carolina construction workers

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Friday, April 17, 2020.

If you're one of many North Carolina residents who work in the construction industry, you're likely already aware that such jobs typically rank high on most lists regarding inherent danger risks. As a construction worker, you face many immediate and long-term on-the-job health risks on a regular basis.

Your employer is legally obligated to inform you of known dangers on a job site. Your employer must also provide proper training and available safety equipment to help keep your injury risk as low as possible. Being proactive is always a good idea when it comes to job safety. There are certain injuries that are most likely to occur on a construction site, and the more you learn about how to avoid them, the better.

North Carolina nail salon workers face serious dangers

On behalf of Jerry Parker of Parker & Frey PLLC on Thursday, April 2, 2020.

When most people think of dangerous jobs, one of the last things they would think of is working in a nail salon. Unless you have a dissatisfied customer, you shouldn't be in any real danger. Right? Wrong.

You actually face several dangers every time you go into work. The more you understand about the injuries or illnesses you could suffer, the better prepared you may be to protect yourself.