Posted on September 8th, 2010
In a study conducted by the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center, 85 percent of workers say that their top labor concern is workplace safety. Other common concerns included maternity leave, paid sick leave, and overtime pay. Furthermore, while many of the workers said they were happy with their workplace’s safety, the majority also said they felt stressed on the job. Stressful workplaces are more likely to have accidents occur and workers injured.
Tom W. Smith, director of the survey, said that the media and public often do not pay enough attention to workers injured or lost on the job. ”Workplace safety is too often ignored or accidents taken for granted,” stated Smith.
If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 to learn more about your rights.
Posted on July 27th, 2010
Yesterday, Nike Inc. announced their plans to pay $1.54 million in workers’ compensation to over 1,500 Honduran workers who were suddenly laid off last year when the Choloma and San Pedro Sula factories were shut down without notice. Under Honduras law, the workers were owed $2.6 million in severance after the factories closed.
Nike has consistently refused to offer severance payments, but gave in to pressure from anti-sweatshop student and university groups to pay the workers’ compensation relief. The money will be distributed between the laid off workers based on length of service and workers’ earnings. They have also offered to cover the costs of enrolling the workers in Honduras’ national health care program for one year, provide job training, and give priority to the laid off workers at positions at nearby factories.
While some are praising Nike for its willingness to provide workers’ compensation, many still believe the workers are owed millions in severance payments.
If you or someone you love is seeking workers’ compensation, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 to learn more about your rights.
Posted on July 21st, 2010
Yesterday, President Obama signed an order to have federal agencies improve workplace safety standards by 2014.
The four year plan asks federal agencies to improve workplace safety in order to reduce the number of claims made a year by federal employees, as well as the number of federal dollars spent a year on workers’ compensation. In 2009, 79,000 new claims were filed by federal employees and over $1.6 billion was spent by the federal government on workers’ compensation.
“Many of these work-related injuries and illnesses are preventable, and executive departments and agencies can and should do even more to improve workplace safety and health, reduce the financial burden of injury on taxpayers, and relieve unnecessary suffering by workers and their families,” stated Obama.
If you or someone you love has been injured or become ill on the job, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 to learn more about your rights.
Posted on July 9th, 2010
A federal court recently sentenced roofing contractor Christopher Franc to three years probation and six months house arrest after willfully committing safety violations and endangering his workers. He was also fined $539,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Last year, one of Franc’s roofers, 29-year old Carl Beck, died when he fell from a steep roof while not using any safety gear. Investigators found that Franc did not provide fall-protection equipment to employees and failed to appropriately train new employees.
Head of OSHA Dr. David Michaels believes that existing laws are not tough enough on willfully negligent employers who cause injuries in their employees, like Franc. Now, Michaels is promoting the Protecting America’s Workers Act, or PAWA, that would sentence negligent employers to up to twenty years in prison. PAWA would also increase fines against willful violators and strengthen whistleblower protections.
Posted on July 9th, 2010
Last month, two workers at the Ultra Resources natural gas well in Gaines Township, Pennsylvania were involved in a workplace accident after equipment malfunctioned.
The workers were airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital for head injury and broken ribs. One of the workers was hit in the head by a piece of metal, leaving skull lacerations and knocking him out. The other worker suffered broken ribs.
A pipe coupling that separated was suspected as the cause of the accident that injured the two workers. The Department of Environmental Protection’s North Central region director stated, “The cause of the blow-out was probably excessive pressure in the hammer union, but really the question will be was whether the union was installed properly or if the failure was due to a manufacturing defect”.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a workplace accident, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 to learn more about your rights.
Posted on April 16th, 2010
Officials say that three Ohio workers were injured after a 100-foot crane toppled over at a construction site.
The crane was being used to pour concrete at a former mall site when it fell onto its side. One man was trapped after the crane collapsed, but rescue crews were able to free him. He suffered a broken leg and was transported to the hospital. The other two workers were also taken to the hospital and treated with fractures.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a workplace injury, you may be able to receive compensation for your pain. Contact the Philadelphia workers compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130.
