Springfield Workers' Compensation Blog

Treating back pain after a workplace accident

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in blog on Monday, April 9, 2018.

A common result of a being in a workplace accident or just doing daily job tasks is suffering from a back injury. Back injuries can occur regardless of the industry you work in, so whether you sit in an office, drive a truck or work in a hospital, you need to be familiar with the causes, treatment and prevention of injury to your back.

While lower back pain may be most prevalent, the damage can also be in the spine or neck in the form of a sprain, strain or disc hernia. These injuries are often the result of lifting incorrectly or repeatedly, sitting for long periods of time, experiencing constant vibrations, or slipping and falling. Age, health and certain physical movements (such as twisting) are also risk factors for hurting your back, reveals OSHA.

Does shift work lead to more car accidents?

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Friday, April 6, 2018.

In general, the human body is designed to be awake during the day and asleep at night. However, not every profession works on that same schedule. You may end up with a job in Missouri where you are working third shift. Shift work can be difficult on the body. According to Medical Daily, there are indications that beyond creating a higher risk that you will end up with heart conditions or other diseases, shift work can also turn you into a drowsy driver.

Going against the body's natural rhythms and functions by sleeping during the day and being awake all night can cause issues that result in you never getting enough sleep. When you get behind the wheel, you may feel fine, but drowsy driving is an issue that can occur when you are not aware.

Why is the construction industry so dangerous?

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in Construction Accidents on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries in which to work. However, it is also one of the most regulated. It may be difficult for you to understand how it can be so dangerous when so many people and agencies in Missouri work to keep it safe.

The Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America explains there are some things that go on in the construction industry that lead to a high number of accidents despite all the regulations. One example is the fast pace at which construction projects are supposed to be completed. If you run a company and you cannot promise quick results, you may lose out to another company. This accelerated work schedule leaves a lot of room for errors and oversights when it comes to safety.

Repetitive motion injuries and workers' comp

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in blog on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

While some injuries or disabilities occur immediately, there are some that develop over time. Either way, it may be possible to receive workers' comp payments.

When claimants understand the various aspects of the workers' compensation claims fully, including the injury itself, it may lead to a more successful claim filing. There are a few things to understand about a repetitive motion injury.

What is personal injury?

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Friday, March 16, 2018.

Personal injury is an area of law that covers a lot of ground in Missouri. According to the American Bar Association, personal injury law involves cases where someone gets hurt due to someone else's negligence. As you can see, this can include many different types of accident scenarios.

A personal injury could occur if you were to slip and fall in a store. In this case, the store owner or property owner would be liable. It is assumed that any public spaces are maintained properly so as not to expose the public to injury. If a floor is wet, it is up to the property owner to ensure it is cleaned up and proper signs are posted to warn of the wet floor. If this is not done and you fall, then the store owner was negligent or responsible for your injury.

Is working third shift more dangerous than other shifts?

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Monday, March 12, 2018.

If you have ever had a job in Missouri where you worked third shift, then you probably know how difficult it can be. The world, in general, runs on first shift hours with people awake and busy during the day and asleep at night. It can be tough when you are operating on opposite hours. In fact, it may actually be dangerous for you to work third shift.

EMS1.com explains that shift work takes its toll on the body because it is not natural. Your body wants to be awake with the daylight and sleep when the sun sets. You are working against your natural body rhythms when you work the night shift. You may have interrupted sleep cycles or not be able to get sufficient enough sleep.

Amputation is likely if you work in the manufacturing industry

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

Many people believe that constructions workers in the Springfield area are at high risk for catastrophic workplace injuries. What they might not realize is that safety risks are present in most work environments. Employers must take measures to minimize hazards for their workers, especially in jobs where heavy machinery and dangerous working conditions are present. Individuals who work in the manufacturing industry are more likely to suffer amputation injuries than any other work sector, states CNN Money.

According to Manufacturing.net, "employers must report serious workplace accidents," especially those involving amputations and hospitalizations to OSHA. If OSHA determines after investigation that an employer was negligent in maintaining a safe work environment and working equipment, they must pay fines, workers' compensation benefits to the victims and may face other legal action.

Avoid these pitfalls when filing your workers' compensation claim

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Friday, February 23, 2018.

If you have been injured at work, you may be eligible to receive compensation by filing a workers' compensation claim with your employer in Missouri. Whether or not you will be approved is dependent on several factors that will be carefully assessed. At Hall Ansley PC, we understand the ins and outs of workers' compensation and have been able to help many people to strengthen their case.

Once you decide to file a workers' compensation claim, you may benefit from being aware of some of the common pitfalls that many people make. According to payscale.com, making these kinds of mistakes can put you at risk of being denied any award at all. Some of the missteps that you should avoid include the following:

Lying: If you have been injured and your injury could be one related to your work, you may be tempted to tweak the truth and file a claim. However, chances are your employer will complete a thorough investigation, and your chances of being able to slide by are pretty slim.
Procrastination: As soon as you realize that you have received an on-the-job injury, it is imperative that you file your claim immediately. Waiting too long to disclose your injury could negate your chances of getting compensation.
Previous conditions: If you have previously had health conditions that may have contributed to the injury you have received at work; your employer may not be willing to accept your claim.
Misinformation: Your employer will probably have a list of doctors who work in network with their insurance. If you visit a doctor who is outside of that network, it could inhibit your ability to effectively file a claim.

How can employers prevent workplace accidents?

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in Construction Accidents on Friday, February 16, 2018.

When it comes to work environments in the Springfield area, some construction workers are unaware of the dangers they face. Many of them assume their employers are vested in their safety and have taken measures to ensure they do not end up having accidents that result in injury and death.

Not all employers maintain safe work environments for their workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016, the number of workers in the private sector who ended up with workplace illnesses and injuries was 2.9 million. If employers had taken better preventative measures to protect their contractors and employees, many of those injuries would not have occurred.

What are the workers' compensation laws for construction?

On behalf of Hall Ansley, P.C. posted in Construction Accidents on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

If you work in the construction industry in Missouri, it is beneficial to understand the state's workers' compensation laws for this industry. They vary a little from other industries, so what you already know about workers' comp may not be exactly how things work in this industry.

According to the Division of Workers' Compensation, the main difference between workers' compensation requirements for the construction industry and other industries is that construction companies must carry coverage if they have at least one employee. For other industries, the number of employees is at least five before coverage is required. It is important to note the activities of the company affect this requirement. The company must have coverage with one employee if its work involves repairing, altering, erecting or demolishing.