If you sustained injuries on the job, you might have hesitated to file a workers' compensation claim afterward. Some employers retaliate against employees who do, and yours may be among these. Yet, your employer cannot legally take negative action against you because you filed a claim. Most employees in North Carolina have the right to workers' compensation benefits. Thus, it is important to know how to fight for them when retaliation is in play.
What are your options after a distracted driving accident?
When driving, you likely do your best to remain focused on the road and your surroundings. Yet, you might have little trust that other motorists will do the same. With the advent of smartphones, distracted driving is on the rise. Nowadays, nearly one in 10 fatal crashes involve motorists who were not paying attention. While you must understand how to identify distracted drivers so you can avoid them, it is crucial to know how you can move forward after one collides with your vehicle.
The dangers of the construction industry's "fatal four"
A construction site can be a hazardous place to work, and it is easy to see why so many injuries occur in the construction industry. Power tools can malfunction. The weight of construction materials can cause strain in workers' day-to-day activities and cause serious injury if dropped. Heavy equipment can be particularly dangerous if companies do not train workers properly or properly maintain their equipment. Many of these workplace injuries can be fatal.
Are you losing your hearing because of your job?
If you have noticed that you cannot hear as well as you used to, your job could be the cause. The Hearing Health Foundation reports that the Centers for Disease Control attributes 24% of U.S. hearing loss to workplace exposure to excessive noise levels. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics adds that more than 20,000 on-the-job hearing loss incidents occur each year, many of which result in the worker suffering permanent hearing loss.
Further statistics come from the U.S. Department of Labor. It reports that upwards of 22 million American workers are subjected to hazardous workplace noise levels every year. You face an especially high risk if you work in one of the following industries:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Mining
Can you receive workers' compensation for respiratory diseases?
As a construction worker, you may handle dangerous or toxic materials while on the job. Through no fault of your own, you may inhale or ingest their residue. Exposure to these hazardous substances can cause a variety of respiratory diseases. These conditions put your livelihood - and life - at risk. If you've developed a respiratory disease from your work, you may qualify for workers' compensation benefits.
What should you know about mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive, malignant cancer that attacks the mesothelium, i.e., lining, of your lungs. The build-up of the microscopic asbestos fibers you and many other workers inhale on a daily basis causes it.
FindLaw explains that you face the greatest risk of asbestos inhalation if you work as one of the following:
- Construction worker
- Pipefitter or welder
- Stonemason or bricklayer
- Roofer
- Shipbuilder
- Auto mechanic, particularly if you do brake repair work
What to consider before making a medical malpractice claim
Did you know that billions of dollars are paid out to recipients of medical malpractice claims each year? There is an alarming number of medical malpractice accusations in the United States. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has even gone so far as to state that medical negligence is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
If you or a loved one has been affected by medical malpractice, you may want to take action to claim the damages to which you are entitled. Not only will this ensure that you get justice, but it may play an important role in preventing other patients from being negatively affected by malpractice. The following are some of the key things you should consider before making a medical malpractice claim.
Bursitis: What is this repetitive-stress injury?
As a worker, one kind of injury that you should watch out for is called bursitis. In the body, there are small sacs of fluid called bursae. These sacs cushion the bones, muscles and tendons that surround or connect with a joint.
Bursitis is the inflammation of that small sac of fluid. This leads to pain and dysfunction of the joint.
Which birth injuries occur most often?
If you are pregnant with your first child, you may well have concerns about the labor and delivery process and what you and your baby will go through during it. You may also have niggling worries about the possibility of birth injuries.
You will be glad to know that, per the Birth Injury Guide, 97% of U.S. births occur without any problems or difficulties whatsoever. For the remaining 3% of babies, the birth injury or injuries they receive usually are temporary in nature and resolve themselves with little or no medical intervention.
You'll really miss your knees when they fail
One body part that people give little thought to until it breaks down is the knee. Our knees allow us to do everything from walking and climbing stairs to kneeling in worship and getting down to the level of a small child.
Knees certainly deserve to be treated with care, as when they "go out," the consequences can be life-altering. Unfortunately, those in certain professions are more likely to develop knee problems like bursitis. If you work at one of the following jobs, you, too, might suffer a work-related knee injury:
- Carpenters and construction workers - Builders, contractors and construction workers have to frequently bend and kneel to do their jobs.
- Carpet, tile and floor installers - Kneeling on the ground and "kicking" the carpet using a knee-kicker is particularly damaging to the knees.
- House-cleaners - Whether it's done professionally or simply in your own home, kneeling to scrub floors can damage the knees over time.
- Bricklayers - Those who toil at stonework, bricklaying and masonry spend their working days on their knees.
- Roofers - Roofers must kneel to measure, repair and install roofing shingles.
- Landscapers and gardeners - Yard work involves pulling weeds and planting flowers, activities that are often done while kneeling.
