The BWC designed the grant program, Safety Intervention Grant Program, for the purpose of helping Ohio employers. Workplace injuries are costly to employers for a number of reasons and these grants help establish practices to prevent and limit workplace accidents.
]]> Usually, employers want to create the safest environment possible for their employees but safety features and practices can be cost-prohibitive for many. Grants like these are extremely beneficial because they remove the cost concern. The grants also establish best practices, which allow employers to share and learn how to deal with similar safety issues.Both private and public Ohio employers are eligible for grants under the program. Under certain parameters, these grants also include a 2-to-1 matching account for employers.
Workers' compensation holds an essential role in the workplace. It provides employees with a means to pay medical bills and general bills at a time when working isn't possible.
Employees injured at work may have additional claims for damages in addition to workers' compensation if the injury was due to negligence from the employer or by a third-party.
Ohio laws regarding the right for an injured person to recover compensation for his or her injuries can be complicated and restrictive. An experience personal injury attorney can certainly help navigate these potential claims.
Source: Workerscompensation.com, "Ohio BWC Awards More Than $350k To Support Workplace Safety," May 8, 2012
]]>One such brain injury victim revealed the challenges faced by couples after such a traumatic accident. The victim's husband recalls the pre-accident bliss of their marriage, which suddenly changed when the woman sustained severe brain damage in a 2009 car accident. After spending a period of time in a coma, the woman returned to consciousness, but her faculties were severely limited.
]]> Since the accident three years ago, her husband has lovingly cared for the woman. He spends his days tending to her needs, carrying her from room to room, bathing and feeding her. He also works with her on exercises aimed at increasing her physical and mental strength. However, the road has been tough, and the husband's recent job loss is likely to only place further burden on her long-term recovery.Brain injuries can be very serious. They may require extensive, long-term medical care and affect a person's ability to return to work or provide for a family. Unfortunately, many of these injuries are suffered due to the negligence of another.
In such cases, legal remedies are available in Ohio to help ease the financial burden associated with the recovery and care of those who sustain brain injuries. While compensation may never replace what was lost, it can ease the burden for victims and their families as they try to move forward following an unfortunate accident. For couples, like this one, financial recovery could mean one less worry in the challenge of everyday life.
Source: WJLA, "Traumatic brain injuries challenge marriages," Pamela Brown, April 30, 2012
]]>A recent truck accident between a truck and a car left one person dead. The accident occurred around 2 p.m. in Middletown, Ohio. A westbound steel truck turned left at an intersection near the AK steel plant and subsequently crashed into a car headed east.
]]> The driver of the car died at the scene of the accident. The police cited the uninjured truck driver with failure to yield while turning left.This incident is an unfortunate example of the potentially deadly nature of truck accidents. In these situations, it is important to follow-up quickly with a thorough investigation to look at the driver's history, log book, and the truck maintenance records. Any one of these factors may indicate liability on the part of the driver. Especially telling in this case is the driver's citation for failure to yield.
Injuries and deaths from truck accidents affect the entire family in countless ways. Lost wages combined with medical bills can destroy a family's financial stability. And that does not even take into account the pain and suffering caused by such an accident.
Assessing liability is critical to families seeking compensation for their losses after a truck accident, but truck accidents tend to be less cut and dry than most car accident cases and may require an attorney's guidance.
Source: Fox 19, "Police in OH say 1 dead in car-semitrailer crash," April 23, 2012
]]>After the explosion, the grass surrounding the plant location caught fire, but workers were able to quickly put out the flames. The cause of the fire was from moisture in the molten material used to make the steel. There is no indication whether the factors leading to the fire were the result of negligence or fault of the employer. Fire crews were able to clear the scene within an hour.
]]> The injured employee was taken to Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, Ohio, and suffered non-life threatening burns to his arm. He was treated for his injuries and later released. A local official expressed relief that the accident wasn't any worse than it was.Most employees are covered for workplace injuries by workers' compensation. Workers' compensation is a no-fault insurance system which compensates employees for damages stemming from the workplace injury. Employees can recover money for medical expenses and lost wages. If there is negligence or fault on behalf of the employer, then a personal injury claim for damages is also an option.
Many of Ohio's laws restrict the rights of injured persons to recover compensation for their injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney or workers' compensation attorney can provide advice on how to pursue these claims and recover money for injuries and damages.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer, "Minor Injuries Result From AK Steel Explosion," Jennifer Edwards Baker, April 18, 2012
]]>One such lawsuit filed last week named a husband and wife in Lewis Center, Ohio, along with the Delaware County Humane Society. The complaint alleges that the Humane Society ignored recommendations by veterinarians and animal behaviorists that certain dogs at the shelter should not be adopted because of aggressive tendencies.
]]> The couple adopted dogs from the shelter, and the lawsuit cites two instances specifically where one of the couple's dogs, Sadie, attacked a man and a teenager in the neighborhood. Both attacks required medical attention. The husband was charged with failure to confine an animal in both of those situations.County auditor records indicate that the couple own five dogs. Two of the five, Sadie and Bandit, showed signs of aggressive behavior at the shelter in 2009. Bandit was adopted twice previously but was returned after he bit, snapped, or growled at his adopted families. The attorney who filed the lawsuit argues that the shelter intentionally gave dogs to this couple so that they wouldn't be euthanized, even when vets recommended euthanizing.
At issue is whether the couple breached the standard of care for property owners. If they knew the dogs were dangerous and failed to provide adequate warning or take reasonable safety precautions, they could be liable for the damages to the injured parties.
The lawsuit also attempts to show liability on behalf of the Humane Society for knowingly placing dangerous dogs with the couple instead of having the dogs trained or put down.
Source: The Columbus Dispatch, "Dog shelter, couple sued over attacks by canines," Allison Manning, April 12, 2012
]]>In August of last year, we wrote about the multiple-vehicle chain reaction crash in Monclova Township, Ohio, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The accident occurred when a semi-truck was attempting to merge onto I-475 North, when the driver accidentally hit a disabled pickup. This accident ignited the chain reaction crash, which killed three people. Another driver who had stopped to help was critically injured after jumping from the bridge to avoid being hit by the semi-truck.
]]> The 65-year-old semi-truck driver was charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, and negligent homicide in the crashes of Aug. 4, 2011. A week ago, the semi-truck driver plead not guilty in Maumee Municipal Court to misdemeanor criminal and traffic charges. The judge granted the driver a recognizance bond and he is due back in court at a later date.If the driver is convicted of any of these charges, the families of the victims may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages, including lost wages and damages for pain and suffering. They may also be able to recover civil damages against the driver. An attorney handling this case or similar claims stemming from motor vehicle accidents may be able to provide legal assistance and a sense of closure for victims and their families.
Source: foxtoledo.com, "Trucker pleads not guilty to August 2011 crash," March 30, 2012
]]>A report by the United States Postal Service showed postal workers suffering 2,613 dog attacks and bites nationally last year. This year, there have already been 1,005 bites from both large and small dogs alike.
]]> According to one postal worker, the cause of most bites stems from dog owners. Many let their dog out without proper restraint. This particular worker has learned to use his mail bag as a shield and if necessary, he uses dog repellent spray.According to the Chief Animal Control Officer in Cleveland, Ohio, animal bites have not yet escalated this year. He urges property owners to make sure they properly control their pets and warns them that if their dog is loose, they may be required to pay a $150 fine. Also, an owner whose dog bites another person could end up paying a heftier fine of $1,000, with a risk of six months in jail added to that penalty.
Postal workers usually drive fixed routes and deliver mail at the same time each day so dog owners should keep their dogs in the house when their mail is delivered. The same rule should apply for other types of deliveries or home visitors.
Dog bites do happen, and with more dogs outside as the weather warms up, bites may happen more frequently. If an individual or their loved one has been injured by a dog or other type of animal on someone else's property, they may want to contact an experienced attorney to guide them through the legal process and make sure they are properly compensated for any physical or psychological injury they may have endured.
Source: Newsnet5, "Post office warns dog bites will increase in warm weather," Kristin Byrne, March 21, 2012
]]>The accident happened Wednesday morning along SR 49 near Folkerth Road. She was traveling southbound when a northbound truck veered over into her lane, hitting her car head on. The accident happened so quickly that the woman didn't have a chance to react and steer her vehicle out of the way. Her car went off the road and then struck a tree. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. An ambulance transported the truck driver to the hospital, where he is being treated for minor injuries.
]]> Investigators at the scene report that the accident happened around 10:15 a.m. and the road was closed until the scene was cleared.While we don't know if the truck driver in this accident will be charged, if you are involved in an accident and are injured because of the negligence of another driver, you should contact a personal injury attorney. Fatal car accidents like this one happen every day and can cause serious consequences for everyone involved. An attorney understands the emotional, physical and financial strain that an accident can have on your life and will work with you to get you the compensation that you deserve. They understand the complex issues of dealing with insurance companies and will be your advocate and protect you from low settlement offers.
Source: WDTN.com, "1dead, 1 injured in Darke Co. accident," March 28, 2012
]]>Since the 2010 accident, the woman has suffered seizures, lost her driver's license and is unable to work as an elementary special-assignment teacher. She struggles with short-term memory losses and severe headaches. Luckily she has a supportive family that helps her through her day-to-day challenges.
]]> The accident occurred when the woman was driving behind a tractor-trailer that was carrying empty wooden raisin bins that had cables wrapped around them to keep them in place. According to investigators, the load shifted and a corner iron flew off the truck, hit the pavement and then went through the woman's windshield and hit her on the right side of her head. She then lost control of her vehicle and hit the highway's median divider.The woman was then taken to a local hospital where she was in a coma and underwent emergency surgery to save her life.
This week the woman was awarded more than $11.5 million for the accident and the money will be used to pay for past and future medical expenses as well as past and future earnings losses, pain and suffering. While she'll never get her life back, she is grateful that her future will have more stability.
Source: The Fresno Bee, "Fresno woman wins $11.5 million suit against Lion Raisins," John Ellis, March 22, 2012
]]>Last December, the man 54, was waiting to pick up a load for his truck when he was accidentally struck from behind by a front-end loader. The crash caused him to injure his left arm and it crushed his right leg. He was flown via helicopter to the hospital where he underwent several surgeries in order to save his life. Doctors had to remove his right leg above the knee, because it was beyond repair.
]]> It's been three months since the accident and the man is still a patient at the hospital and is making a slow recovery. The injuries he has sustained have changed his life forever. Once he is a little stronger, he will be moved to an acute care rehabilitation facility.The trucking company he works for has been supportive of the man since the accident and is doing everything it can to help him through this.
Workplace accidents do happen, but it's the support and compensation that you receive after such an accident that matter to you the most when you've been injured. If you've been involved in a workplace accident, you should seek the advice of a personal injury attorney. They understand what you are going through and will work to get you the compensation that you deserve.
It is unclear if and when this man might be able to return to work, but he has been a delivery driver for 30 years and an over-the-road driver for the past 10 years.
Source: TimesReporter.com, "Friends rally for injured Midvale trucker," Jon Baker, Mar. 18, 2012
]]>According to research published in the journal of Pediatrics, between 1999 and 2008, approximately 932,000 children were treated for stair-related injuries. Approximately 3 percent of those children were treated for concussions and hemorrhages in the brain. Most of the injuries resulted in the head and neck area, including bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes, or a fractured thigh or arm.
]]> In addition, the greatest number of injuries was in patients who were one years old, and more than half were male. Children at this age are exploring and don't have a sense of what is dangerous or what they may need to be careful of. According to Dr. Gary A. Smith, study author and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, "The staggering statistic is that we continue to see a child, on average, every six minutes in this country rushed to a hospital emergency department with a stair-related injury."Injuries can occur when a child is being carried by a parent or caregiver and they fall down the stairs and other less frequent accidents happen with baby walkers or strollers.
To prevent injuries related to staircase falls, researchers recommend:
Bottom line is to keep your children safe around staircases because the injuries could have long lasting effects, including brain injury.
Source: Ozarksfirst.com, "Doctors: Still Too Many Stair-Related Injuries Among Children," Mar. 12, 2012
]]>Court documents show that the victim was killed as he was inspecting his own semi-trailer on the side of a freeway on the afternoon of Sept. 25, 2008.
]]> The accident occurred as the driver began falling asleep behind the wheel and was jolted awake when he struck another semi-truck's mirror. In an attempt to move his trailer away, he over corrected and turned the truck to the right and hit the back of the victim's parked trailer. The victim was hit by the defendant's semi-truck and died instantly. The driver admitted to using methamphetamines one or two days before the accident.The victim's attorney argued that the company that hired the defendant should be drug testing its employees to prevent these types of tragedies. Court documents also show that the trucking company did not have valid insurance the day of the accident.
The defendant in this case plead guilty to criminally negligent homicide and driving under the influence of methamphetamine in 2009. He is serving a 40-month prison sentence, after which he will be under three years of post-prison supervision and was ordered to pay approximately $7,000 in restitution.
Source: Mail Tribune, "Fatal '08 truck accident settled for $5.2 million," Ryan Pfeil, Mar. 8, 2012
]]>According to U.S. researchers, they have found that cognitive symptoms can last for approximately 12 months in children who have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury. This is sobering for many parents who think that because children are young, that they will bounce back quickly from just about anything. The study, which was just published in the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, indicates that mild traumatic brain injuries in children have more symptoms than children who do not have injuries involving the head.
]]> The symptoms may be hard to relate back to the concussion because the symptoms may not appear to be that bad or caused by something other than a brain injury. Symptoms can include headaches, fatigue or complaints that they can't remember things or are forgetful.Participants in the study were children ages 8-15 who came to the emergency room with a head trauma or orthopedic injury. Parents were asked to be a part of the study and record their child's pre-injury symptoms and rate post-injury symptoms.
Doctors involved with the study said that the concussion symptoms were most common right after the injury, but did tend to linger. What this study suggests is that doctors need to identify head trauma's early and if a child is at risk for persistent post-concussive symptoms, then the doctor needs to focus on appropriate healing time for that child. Many children may feel fine soon after a concussion, but it is important for them to rest and heal.
It's best to err on the side of caution when dealing with a possible head trauma in children and have them checked out by a doctor. In the long run, you'll be glad that you did.
Source: UPI.com, "Kid brain concussive symptoms last a year," Mar. 7, 2012
]]>The study revealed that people in transportation industries where their sleep habits may vary like, pilots, truck drivers, rail workers, bus, taxi and limousine drivers have slower reaction times, decreased attention and problems learning new information on the job, as well as processing that information.
]]> The survey was conducted by the National Sleep Foundation and they compared the sleep habits of transportation workers to other adults. They found that both groups get similar amounts of sleep but that the difference is that their work schedules vary. The more people are on a regular wake and sleep time schedule, the more awake a person is. If the schedule is varied because of working day and night shifts, the sleep cycle gets disrupted and the sleep that a person does get is lighter and that person may feel sleepier during the daytime.Along with the varying work schedules, transportation workers on average have long work shifts. Truck drivers averaged 10.1 hours compared with 8.5 hours for non-transportation workers.
Researchers want the results of their study to raise public awareness about the need for more sleep among transportation workers. They feel that this study proves that there is a need to work with the transportation industry to develop changes in work habits so that these workers are getting the sleep they need in order to perform their jobs proficiently and safely.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "One in Five Pilots Reports a Serious Error Related to Sleepiness," Andrea Petersen, Mar. 5, 2012
]]>According to the University of California, Los Angeles, the study found an association between a traumatic brain injury and PTSD, especially in military veterans. They found that those that experienced a traumatic brain injury had more fear than those that didn't sustain a brain injury. Researchers feel that the injury primed the brain for learning to be afraid and made the person more susceptible to acquiring an inappropriately strong fear. Every case is unique and the fear that causes the anxiety could be triggered by loud noises, enclosed spaces, or bright lighting.
]]> Researchers are continuing to collaborate to find answers to combat these issues that arise with a traumatic brain injury, but it could help explain behavior and develop empathy towards people that have had a brain injury. Medication may help control the anxiety and depression as well as counseling for these victims.Traumatic brain injuries can be difficult to diagnose if there are no outwardly obvious symptoms. Most people who have a traumatic brain injury will not be able to recognize that they are acting or behaving differently. Most often family members notice the changes in personality and behavior and they can include:
Injuries to the brain range in severity and if you've been hurt in an accident because of another person's negligence, you should seek the advice of an attorney. An injury to the head or brain can have a devastating effect on a person's quality of life. An attorney can work with the medical professionals to determine the extent of your injuries and the potential life-long consequences and work to get the compensation that you deserve.
Source: Psychcentral.com, "Brain Injury Linked to Higher Risk for PTSD, Anxiety Disorders," Traci Pedersen, Feb. 19, 2012
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