Archive for August, 2019

Best ideas to protect workers from heat-related injuries

Massachusetts workers' compensation attorneyThose who work outdoors during the summer months or in hot indoor environments, don’t have the luxury of air conditioners or fans to stay cool. Some often endure hours of extreme heat and sweltering temperatures that can compromise their health.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), roughly 50-70 percent of outdoor worker fatalities happen within the first few days of working in hot temperatures. This is often due to the body not yet building a tolerance to the heat — also known as heat acclimatization.

The body naturally gets rid of excess heat through sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. Once the body reaches its threshold, however, serious injuries can occur. The warning signs that it’s time for workers to cool down include thirst, irritability, rashes, cramping, and heat exhaustion.

Failure to cool down can lead to heat stroke, which is the most severe heat-related condition. The symptoms of heat stroke include unconsciousness, confusion, disorientation, or slurred speech. If not treated immediately, it could lead to death.

Most common risk factors

OSHA cites the most prevalent risk factors that lead to heat-related injuries. These include:

  • Strenuous physical activity
  • Working in hot environmental conditions
  • Lack of heat tolerance
  • Clothing that holds body heat
  • Increased humidity
  • Working in sunlight
  • Working around heat-generating sources, like ovens, furnaces, and hot road surfaces
  • Pre-existing health conditions

Outdoor workers who are the most at risk of sustaining heat-related injuries include:

  • Farmers and other agricultural workers
  • Construction workers — especially those who do roofing or road work
  • Landscapers
  • Mail and package delivery workers
  • Oil and gas well operators

Heat-related injuries don’t always occur during the summer or during heat waves. Indoor workers who are the most at risk include:

  • Those who work around ovens or other heat-generating appliances
  • Electrical utility workers
  • Firefighters
  • Iron and steel mill workers
  • Manufacturing workers
  • Warehouse workers

Keeping workers safe in hot environments

It’s important that employers promote and accommodate the safety of workers in hot environments. Heat-related injuries and illnesses in the workplace are preventable. OSHA suggests that employers encourage workers to do the following within the first few days of working in a hot environment:

  • Frequently drink water or sports drinks
  • Work shorter shifts
  • Take frequent breaks
  • Be aware of heat-related symptoms

If you notice any minor heat-related symptoms, it’s important that you stop working, drink water and find a place to cool off immediately. You should never take a chance with your health, no matter what your job demands.

In the event of a worker-related injury or illness caused by a hot environment, you should discuss your matter with an experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Your time away from work, and in recovery, can be costly. The legal team at the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl will work tirelessly to help you obtain the benefits you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.

What NOT To Do When Obtaining Workers’ Comp Benefits

Massachusetts workers' compensation attorneyIf you’ve been injured on the job and are collecting workers’ compensation, you could be your own worst enemy. After some time has passed, you may think you’re well enough to take on some work “on the side” to earn a little extra cash at the same time you are receiving benefits. You may do so out of a sense of guilt that you are not providing enough support for your family. There’s no harm in that, right?

You couldn’t be more wrong.

Doing so is considered workers’ compensation fraud and can result in fines, paying restitution and even facing criminal charges. The Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts last year referred 256 cases to federal, state, and local prosecutors – a record.

“Most of them do have injuries, there’s some form of injury that happens to that person. The question becomes, how long are they out with that injury?” said Tony DiPaolo, vice president of investigations.

The Road to fraud is paved with good intentions

You may think your intentions are good, but fraud investigators are going to view you the same as other workers who cheat the system. Here are three examples:

  • A man injured falling off a ladder began collecting workers’ compensation. A month later, he was caught climbing a ladder while operating his own window and siding business. He fraudulently collected $18,668.
  • A man who suffered a back injury at a restaurant was caught working at another restaurant 10 months later, while still collecting workers’ compensation. His fraud totaled $31,729.
  • Another man with a back injury collected both unemployment and workers’ compensation while actively operating his own construction company. He was ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution.

Tough questions? Hire a tough attorney

The workers’ compensation bureaucracy can seem intentionally designed to frustrate you and prevent you from legally collecting benefits. Maybe your claim was denied. Maybe an adjuster doesn’t believe you were injured on the job. Maybe you’re confused by the red tape and legalese. You are under tremendous physical, mental, emotional and financial stress – perhaps unable to provide for your family as your case drags on. You need expert help.

For three decades, the workers’ compensation attorneys at The Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl have been handling cases just like yours in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We will combine our thorough knowledge of the workers’ compensation system with our extensive experience to answer all of your questions and secure financial compensation for you and your family (you also may be entitled to lost wages and Social Security Disability benefits). Contact us today for a free case consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.