Blog
Marijuana use among workers is up - what does that mean for work accidents?
In a year when so many aspects of work changed dramatically, one trend remained constant: more workers are using marijuana every year. As the Wall Street Journal recently reported, drug-testing company Quest Diagnostics says that 2.7% of the drug tests it administered on behalf of U.S. employers in 2020 came back positive for marijuana. That's...
Read MoreTraumatic brain injuries at work
A workplace accident lawyer discusses the dangers Workplace accidents often involve serious head injuries. In particular, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) sometimes occur on the job, resulting in severe physical and psychological consequences. An estimated 2.87 million traumatic brain injury accidents occur every year, according to statistics compiled by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA)....
Read MoreAnalyzing the Top 10 most cited OSHA safety violations of 2020
For the 10th year in a row, workplace falls were the most frequent safety violation discovered by OSHA workers in the U.S., according to the agency’s most recent annual list of top 10 violation citations. It’s a nationwide statistic, but one that touches close to home for our team at Vellner Law, PC - the...
Read MoreNonfatal construction injuries top all other industries combined – despite seeing a big drop
The construction industry has become significantly less dangerous over the last two decades but still has a higher injury rate than all other industries combined, according to a recent study. Even though nonfatal injuries sustained in work accidents dropped approximately 57% from 2003-2019, the construction industry continues to outpace every other industry by a wide...
Read MoreCan I get workers' compensation after a work-related car accident?
There are many occupations that require driving as part of the job. These often include construction workers, delivery drivers, couriers, truck drivers, transportation drivers, first responders, and salespersons. Even employees who don't typically drive for work may occasionally have to travel for company events. Sometimes these workers sustain injuries in car accidents. Common crash-related injuries...
Read MoreWhat to do if you suffered from an illness due to toxic exposure
No matter what occupation you work in, there are risks you may not be aware of that can lead to an injury or illness. One risk that often doesn't get enough attention is toxic exposure. It's not just workers who regularly handle toxic chemicals and materials who are at risk. It's anyone who could potentially...
Read MoreWorkplace injuries linked to heavy lifting
The most physically demanding occupations that require heavy lifting often include (but are not limited to): construction, nursing, warehousing, manufacturing, agriculture, logging, and retail. The physical duties required in these occupations often place a great deal of strain on the body. Injuries linked to heavy lifting can happen suddenly or over a long period of...
Read MoreGet workers' comp for a hip injury
Unfortunately, hip injuries on the job are common. Many occupations call for heavy lifting, bending, squatting, climbing, crawling, twisting and pivoting – all of which put stress on the hips. Even standing all day causes strain that can lead to serious hip problems. Hip injuries generally fall into two categories. They can be sudden, such...
Read MoreConstruction, ag workers face risk of on-the-job knee osteoarthritis
Construction and agricultural workers face an increased risk of experiencing one of the most common joint disorders in the world – knee osteoarthritis. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney concluded workers in those occupations face a roughly 64 percent higher risk of developing the condition compared to individuals working in jobs...
Read More15 ways to protect construction workers from falling objects
At Vellner Law, P.C., we know that working construction can be a dangerous job. One of the biggest risks to workers is from dropped objects. According to EHS Today, OSHA recorded more than 52,260 incidents of people being struck by falling objects at the workplace – an average of 143 objects striking people each day....
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