If you have suffered an injury at work or on the job, you may be entitled to receive additional benefits through workers compensation. In North Carolina, this may include time lost from work, disability (full or partial), and medical bills.
High-profile incidents of workplace violence unfortunately seem to occur all too frequently. But murder is not the only type of violence in the workplace. According to the Department of Justice, 2 million assaults occur each year at work. These include rapes, robberies and murders but also threats, verbal abuse, physical attacks and intimidation.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act, administered by OSHA, requires employers to provide a workplace "free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees." You as an employee have the right to work in a safe environment.
What stand has your employer taken on aggressive, or violent, behavior in the workplace? Is there a zero-tolerance policy in place and is it followed? Have managers and supervisors been properly trained to recognize danger signals, such as an employee making bizarre remarks or verbal threats? What is the procedure if a termination occurs? Does your employer offer an Employee Assistance Program where employees can safely and confidentially discuss personal problems? Are thorough background investigations conducted for all employees?
With workplace violence one of the 10 most common on-the-job injuries, it’s important that if you or a loved one has been involved with an incident of violence at work, that you contact an attorney. An experienced lawyer will be able to help you fully understand North Carolina’s workers’ comp law .
When workers use the same movements over and over again for an extended period of time, repetitive motion injuries, also called cumulative trauma disorders, may occur. This is yet another on-the-job injury that happens all too often.
Unlike the potentially horrifying and gruesome accidents discussed in my last post —those that fall into the “caught in” or “crushed by” category—repetitive motion injuries happen over a gradual period of time so they aren’t necessarily as dramatic or instantaneous as other workplace accidents. Take something like carpal tunnel syndrome; it doesn’t happen in a life-altering instant. Over time though, the repetitive task may lead to the painful progressive condition and cause numbness, tingling, weakness or muscle damage in the hand and fingers. Tendonitis and bursitis are other common types of repetitive motion injuries. Tendonitis commonly occurs in the shoulder, biceps or elbow. Common areas for bursitis are the knee, elbow and hip.
Has your workplace allowed you periodic breaks to reduce the wear and tear on your body? Is job rotation—allowing workers to change positions or job tasks periodically to prevent over use of any particular body part—a practice at your worksite?
Regardless of the type of repetitive motion injury one has, it is imperative to discuss the situation with an experienced and skilled workers’ compensation attorney . Let a lawyer that understands North Carolina’s workers’ comp law and your rights help you navigate your claim.
As I’ve been discussing, on-the-job injuries and accidents unfortunately happen all too frequently. Those that fall into the “caught in” or “crushed by” category typically involve workplace machinery, equipment and tools. They may also be referred to as pinch points, nip points or crush points.
Accidents of this nature may cause cuts, bruising, scalping, mangled and twisted body parts, amputation or death. As one can imagine, this type of on-the-job injury can be particularly gruesome and horrifying. Those who work with industrial machinery however are not the only ones at risk for this type of workplace accident. A “caught in” or “crushed by” incident could occur with employees who are simply standing under or near a forklift or other powered equipment. Heavy doors, file cabinets or crates could pinch toes or fingers.
In the workplace, equipment needs to be frequently and properly inspected; all moving parts on all machinery and equipment should be properly guarded—an employer must ensure the safety of the workers. Have all employees been properly trained to use equipment, to stay away from hazardous areas, to be alert to the dangers, are the proper safeguards in place?
If you have been injured on the job due to a “caught in” or “crushed by” accident, speaking with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney quickly is in your best interest. By seeking legal guidance, you will better understand your rights and North Carolina’s workers’ comp law .
A State Department of Transportation Dump Truck, pulling a large trailer carrying a steam roller, lost control on a mountain road, crossed the center-line and struck Kelly Crabtree’s van head-on...
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"Thank you John, and all the staff at The Law Offices of John M. McCabe, P.A., for all your help over the years since my accident and for your friendship! I am truly grateful!"
At The Law Offices of John M. McCabe, P.A., we have extensive experience in representing injured workers. We will work hard to protect you from the insurance company's tricks and traps.
