Mayer & Associates, P.C.Mayer & Associates, P.C.2024-02-04T16:39:39Zhttps://www.mayerpc.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1400113/2020/05/cropped-mayer-favicon-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=488192024-02-04T16:39:39Z2024-02-04T16:39:39Zaccidents or long-term health issues.
One of the primary concerns in a factory setting is the physical safety of workers. This encompasses everything from slips and falls to injuries caused by machinery. The long-term impact on health, the psychological stress of working in potentially hazardous conditions and the importance of adequate training and safety measures are all crucial elements to consider.
Physical hazards and machinery
Factories are often filled with heavy machinery, which poses significant risks to workers. These machines can cause serious injuries like amputations, crush injuries or even fatalities if not operated correctly or if safety mechanisms fail.
Another consideration is that the noise from these machines can lead to hearing loss over time. This means all factory workers should have suitable hearing protection if the environment is noisy.
Chemical and environmental exposure
Many factory workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals and substances. Prolonged or unprotected exposure to these chemicals can lead to respiratory problems, skin irritation and even long-term illnesses like cancer. Factories might also have poor air quality or extreme temperatures. These can impact a worker's health over time.
Ergonomic and repetitive stress injuries
Factory work often involves repetitive motions or maintaining awkward positions for extended periods. This can lead to ergonomic injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and back pain.
Psychological stress and fatigue
Working in a factory can be stressful, particularly when there's pressure to meet production targets or work long hours. This stress, coupled with the job's physical demands, can lead to burnout and fatigue, impacting mental and physical health.
Factory workers who suffer an injury because of their work duties should ensure they get the medical care they need. Filing a report with their employer is critical. Workers’ compensation should cover medical expenses for most workers. It’s possible that some other benefits may be available. Seeking legal assistance is, therefore, beneficial to better ensure that a worker receives all the benefits they’re due.]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=488172023-11-08T12:25:49Z2023-11-08T12:25:49ZWhat to do if you’re bitten
If a dog bites you, it's essential to take immediate action. Some steps you should take include the following:
Clean the wound gently with soap and warm water.
Apply pressure to stop any bleeding.
After cleaning, apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection and cover the wound with a clean bandage.
Seek medical attention for the bite. This is particularly important if the dog is not your own, as you may not know its vaccination history.
Contact the dog’s owner, if possible, to inquire about the dog’s vaccination status, specifically for rabies. If the dog isn’t vaccinated, or if it’s a stray, you may need a rabies shot.
Report the bite to your local animal control agency or health department.
Even with minor bites, infections are a risk. Dogs' mouths contain bacteria that can lead to infection if a bite breaks the skin. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, increased pain and fever.
The medical care needed for a dog bite can be considerable and costly. Victims of dog bites may seek compensation from the dog’s owner under circumstances that vary by state. It’s important to seek legal guidance right away after a bite to better determine what your state requires of a scenario before a bite victim becomes entitled to compensation.]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=488162023-08-08T11:24:24Z2023-08-08T11:24:24ZSerious or untreated bedsores
If there is one type of injury associated with a sedentary lifestyle, it would likely be a pressure ulcer or bedsore. Remaining in the same position for extended periods of time without movement or cushioning may result in the development of painful sores. Left untreated for long enough, pressure ulcers will eventually break the skin and damage deeper tissues, leading to severe pain and sometimes infections.
Transmissible illnesses and infestations
Having a large number of people in a relatively small space is an ideal environment for many types of organisms that attack the human body. Not only do illnesses spread rapidly through nursing homes when there aren't adequate sanitation and isolation practices utilized, but larger pests can also spread quickly and cause health issues as well. Lice, scabies and bed bugs are among the numerous infestations that can quickly develop in nursing homes. While they may only be minor inconveniences for those in perfect health, those pests could cause severe discomfort and secondary medical issues for those who are already vulnerable due to age or immune system issues.
Injuries from falls
Many older adults are at heightened risk of a fall due to how aging affects their bodies. Falls can lead to broken bones and brain injuries that can further compromise someone's mobility and quality of life. When there aren't enough staff members to take care of all the residents or when they don't prioritize requests by those who are at risk of falling, people who need support and assistance may try to manage tasks on their own with very unfortunate results.
Family members who have reason to believe that negligence is the reason that their loved one ended up sick or injured may be in a position to take legal action. Holding nursing homes accountable for negligent care can both compensate the people affected and potentially lead to improved standards at the facility.
]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=488142023-05-09T15:05:19Z2023-05-09T15:05:19ZThe next 27 seconds
This approach may be safer than texting while actively driving a car, but it is certainly not safe on the whole. Studies have looked at distraction rates and found that drivers who are using their phones tend to stay distracted for the next 27 seconds after returning their focus to the road. Just putting the phone down doesn’t end that distraction.
The problem is the cognitive side of the distraction, rather than anything physical. The driver has returned their eyes to the road and their hands to the wheel. But they may still be thinking about the text message they were writing or something that they saw on social media.
It takes the human brain a little bit of time to fully shift back into the right mindset for safe driving. This means that the half a minute after texting at a red light can be very dangerous. Drivers could make mistakes, overlook obstacles or make cognitive decisions that even they don’t understand – such as turning left without first yielding the right of way all because they are still distracted, even though they think that they have ended their distracted behaviors.
Distracted driving accidents
This is just one of the reasons that there are so many distracted driving accidents every year. And they, in turn, are a major reason that there are 40,000 fatal accidents in the U.S. every year. Those who have lost loved ones or suffered serious injuries as a result of such accidents may benefit from seeking legal guidance.]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=488132023-01-26T20:12:05Z2023-01-26T20:12:05Zhave drugs in their system. And the change in the law does not legalize driving while high on marijuana in Missouri. But it makes sense to expect that drugged driving will go up now that marijuana is legal and easily accessible to adults.
Enforcing DWI vs. drugged driving
Just like with alcohol, it is possible to consume marijuana responsibly. But driving while high is just as dangerous as drunk driving. THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, impairs your perception and coordination, and slows reaction times -- all skills you need at peak efficiency to drive safely.
A major difference between drunk driving and drugged driving is detection. Figuring out if someone has alcohol in their system is relatively simple through breath and blood testing. But no such reliable technology exists to measure THC in a driver's body. And traces of marijuana last in the body long after the effects of THC wear off. So testing positive for marijuana is not necessarily proof on its own that someone was driving while high.
Compensation is possible after a wreck
Deciding to drive while high on marijuana is reckless and disrespects every motorist's duty of due care toward the others on the road. While criminal charges may not be possible every time a drugged driver kills or severely harms somebody in a collision, the standard of proof in a personal injury lawsuit is lower. You and your family can still seek total compensation for your injuries.]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=487962022-11-07T19:42:43Z2022-11-03T20:31:44Zaffects thousands of people living in nursing home facilities every year. You may be the only person capable of advocating for your loved one and protecting them from this treatment when they live in a nursing home.
What are some of the warning signs of abuse that you should not ignore?
Accusations from your loved one
It is surprisingly common for family members to ignore or downplay complaints and accusations made by the residents living in a nursing home. They might think their family member wants to manipulate them using their sense of guilt about the situation or that they have exaggerated the circumstances.
If your loved one makes serious claims of physical or psychological abuse, making note of those complaints and looking into them is the best choice for their protection and your peace of mind.
Unexplainable injuries
Your loved one may not feel comfortable speaking up at all, especially if a specific member of staff at the nursing home has targeted them for physical abuse. If they frequently have bruises that they can't explain when you come to visit, if they break bones or if they end up in the hospital and can't tell you why, you may need to question whether elder abuse has occurred.
No private time
Have you noticed that nursing home staff members hover around every time you visit or won't directly hand the phone over when you call? If they serve as an intermediary in all of your conversations or won't leave you alone in the room when you come for a visit in person, that could be reason to suspect that there is something they don't want your loved one to convey to you.
Once you think that there is a possibility of your loved one enduring misconduct at a nursing home, you will want to take steps to protect them. Recognizing warning signs of nursing home abuse will be the first step toward intervening on their behalf.]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=487942022-08-10T17:20:45Z2022-08-10T17:20:45Zfive or more employees have to pay for this important insurance, and construction companies with any workers must also obtain coverage. Some professionals may also need to self-insure.
When a worker gets hurt on the job or a doctor diagnosis them with a work-related medical issue, workers' compensation benefits are available. These benefits include disability pay and medical benefits, along with death benefits for surviving family members if a worker dies on the job.
If the worker who gets hurt or dies is an undocumented worker, does that prevent them or their surviving family members from filing a Missouri workers' compensation benefits claim?
It is employment status, not documentation, that leads to benefits
Any employee working at a company with five or more staff members or in the construction industry has the right to claim benefits after an injury. Companies that choose to hire undocumented workers are often also companies that won't give their employees accurate information about their rights. They may not inform their employees of their right to claim workers' compensation benefits, or they might even lie and say that the workers can't get benefits to prevent them from filing a claim.
However, the courts in Missouri have repeatedly upheld that workers have a right to compensation regardless of their documentation status. Workers may fear making a claim because they think they will lose their job or face other retaliation, such as their boss making a call to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. When workers know their rights, they are in a better position to protect themselves.
Educate yourself and get support for your claim
Even the process of filling out the paperwork for a workers' compensation claim can be very difficult, to say nothing of negotiating with an employer or their insurance provider. Many undocumented workers who need the support of workers' compensation will understand the value and having legal representation, as the involvement of an attorney will make it harder for their employer to violate their rights or continue manipulating this situation for the company's benefit.
Learning about the rules for Missouri workers' compensation benefits can help injured workers understand if they should file a claim.]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=487882022-05-20T19:34:14Z2022-05-03T16:55:09ZDogs are required to be leashed in Kansas City
City ordinances state that dogs are prohibited from roaming free while in public areas. They are allowed to roam free when on their owner’s property, but only if they are wearing an electric collar, are confined with a leash, or are fenced in. There are exceptions to the rule, such as seeing eye dogs; seeing eye dogs don't have to be leashed.
There are some areas where dogs can be off-leash, such as in specified off-leash areas. Local, dog-friendly parks often have off-leash enclosed areas where dogs can play freely, but owner supervision is still required.
What can you do if you’re attacked by an off-leash animal?
If you are attacked by a dog that is off-leash, you may be able to hold the owner accountable. Even if the dog got out of its yard or broke off its leash unexpectedly, the owner is still liable for any damage that the animal causes.
For example, if you’re walking in a public area and a large dog jumps on you and bites your arm, you can ask that the owner compensates you for what you’ve been through. Since dogs are required to have tags on them in Kansas City, the dog’s information should be available. If a dog is not wearing tags, it can be scanned for a microchip to identify the owner.
Dogs who bite or cause injuries are a big problem, which is why owners should compensate victims. Strict liability laws mean that owners and possessors of a dog, like dog walkers, could be held liable if a dog attacks.]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=487352022-01-31T23:37:28Z2022-01-31T23:37:28Z
The state Supreme Court has ruled on this issue
Just a few years ago, a workers' compensation benefits case involving an undocumented worker made its way to the Kansas State Supreme Court. A worker needed benefits for a significant back injury she suffered on the job, but her employer refused her benefits.
Their claim was that she did not deserve benefits because she had provided false employment eligibility documentation. In fact, her employer fired her when her use of falsified documentation came to light during the initial claims process.
However, the Supreme Court eventually ruled in the favor of the employee. An employer won't pay more in coverage because of worker is undocumented, and they benefit from that worker's labor just the same. The worker still has risk on the job and deserves coverage if they get hurt. Documentation issues should not put someone at risk of permanent hardship because they sought to support themselves.
Claiming benefits without documentation may require support
Obviously, you need to know your rights to assert them. You may also need help dealing with personal bullying or threats by your employer, their insurance company or their attorney. Learning more about how workers' compensation operates in Kansas can help you claim benefits when you need disability pay because you can't work or medical treatment because of an injury on the job.]]>On Behalf of Mayer & Associates, P.C.https://www.mayerpc.com/?p=487342021-11-04T19:54:50Z2021-11-04T19:54:50ZThe law opens the door for any heir to file a claimKansas state law allows any heir of the deceased party to initiate a wrongful death lawsuit. Although many other states specifically name certain family relationships or designate the personal representative of the estate as the person to file, Kansas extends an opportunity to any heir who would benefit from the estate of the deceased or who has demonstrable losses.
Typically, spouses, children and parents will be the ones to bring these kinds of claims, although other individuals with inheritance rights may also initiate a civil lawsuit after an untimely death.
Why do people choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
The first and most obvious reason that people file wrongful death lawsuits is to recoup the financial losses they have recently suffered. Losing a loved one means going a lifetime without their wages and many other financial losses. Just replacing their services around the house could cost you thousands of dollars a year.
However, many families don't find motivation in financial need but rather a desire for justice. Even if the state didn't pursue criminal charges related to your loss, the civil courts could still hold the other party responsible for their actions or negligence. Having the courts affirm that someone else is responsible for your loss can help give you closure.
Learning about wrongful death lawsuits might inspire you to seek justice after a tragic loss.]]>