Miami Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Loading docks can pose a risk to worker safety

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in Workers' Compensation on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Workers at Florida loading docks are often very busy. Whether located at warehouses, distribution centers or factories, loading docks are the place where freight is received and unloaded. While some are located outdoors, others may be inside a receiving bay. In most cases, workers operate near a storage room or other staging area to hold the freight until it is used. Just as these operations can be vital for a company, they can also be potential sites for dangerous accidents and injuries.

Unloading a large truck is a fast-paced job. In most cases, truck drivers and loading dock workers are on a tight schedule, so they need to move quickly to clear out the truck. They may be dealing with large, heavy items that require specialized equipment for transport. A forklift is one of the most commonly used pieces of machinery in the loading dock area. Unfortunately, over 100,000 workplace injuries every year are related to forklifts or other types of powered industrial trucks such as pallet jacks. Federal workplace safety rules require training for drivers operating forklifts and similar trucks.

Why Do Workers' Compensation Disputes Arise in a No-Fault System?

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in Workers' Compensation on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

Although workers’ compensation is intended to be a no-fault system, this does not guarantee the absence of disagreements. Injured workers may find that their employer’s insurance carrier agrees to provide some, but not all the benefits an injured worker needs after a workplace accident.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Accident

Study Shows Prices Paid for Injured Workers’ Medical Care

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in workplace accidents on Monday, June 25, 2018.

As regular readers of our Miami, Florida Workers' Compensation Law Blog know, we typically dedicate this space to issues important to people who suffer injuries on the job. A recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) helps policy makers, legislators and injured employees across the nation assess how their states measure up in terms of workers’ comp payments to medical professionals.

The 10th edition of the WCRI Medical Price Index for Workers’ Compensation compares prices paid for medical services across 35 states that represent nearly 90 percent of all workers’ comp benefits paid in the U.S. It also tracks changes in prices over the decade from 2008 to last year for services by doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors.

Should employers be more proactive after worker injuries?

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in workplace injuries on Monday, June 11, 2018.

An insurance industry publication says it makes sense for employers to take a different approach to employee injuries. Business Insurance says that today employers should be proactive from the moment that a worker sustains an on-the-job injury.

The publication says that when someone is injured in the workplace, a supervisor should accompany the worker to the hospital, clinic or doctor’s office for treatment.

When should you hire a workers’ comp lawyer?

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in workplace injuries on Friday, May 25, 2018.

The question is a good one: When should you hire a workers’ compensation attorney? The answer: In an ideal world, you would never hire a lawyer because you’d never get injured on the job. And if you did get injured, your Miami employer would insist that you promptly receive full workers’ comp benefits.

While both of those scenarios are nice ideals, the reality is that people do get injured on the job and far too often, employers and insurers try to deny earned, deserved benefits.

NHTSA investigating fatal Florida crash

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Monday, May 14, 2018.

Extraordinary circumstances are required for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate a crash. The agency says it is "gathering information" on the motor vehicle crash a short distance north of Miami in which two teenagers were killed.

The teens were killed in the Fort Lauderdale wreck of a Tesla Model S car. The car company said its electric vehicle's advanced cruise control called Autopilot was probably not the cause of the fatal wreck that began when the vehicle went off the road, hit a concrete wall and then caught fire.

The safest and most dangerous first jobs

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in workplace accidents on Monday, April 30, 2018.

It’s that time of year. Miami high schools and colleges are readying for graduation ceremonies. Many graduates approach the big day with a mixture of excitement and anxiety, looking forward to landing their first full-time as young adults.

For many job-seekers, the most important factor in a job search is income, followed by the benefits (vacation, insurance, etc.) offered in various companies and industries. One component of employment sometimes overlooked is safety. Young men and women eager to land a first-time job sometimes don’t look carefully at which lines of work have the highest risk of on-the-job injuries.

FAQ: Is my injury covered by Florida workers' compensation?

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in workplace injuries on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

The Florida workers' compensation system is complex. Those who have never dealt with the process often require guidance to ensure they get the benefits to which they're entitled to.

One of the most common questions people have when injured at work is: If I get hurt at work will my injury be covered by workers' compensation? The law usually covers most injuries and occupational illnesses that happen on the job.

Causes of construction workers' accidents not always apparent

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in construction workers' accidents on Monday, March 26, 2018.

All eyes have been on a strip of highway near Florida International University since a tragic bridge collapse occurred there on a recent Thursday. When construction workers' accidents like this one occur, preliminary investigations often lead to more questions than answers. One construction employee who was working on the bridge at the time says he remembers hearing a cracking sound, which caused him to rush to lock his safety harness in place.

That maneuver apparently saved the worker's life, as moments later, he and the bridge went crashing to the highway below. The bridge was being constructed to create a safer means of crossing the road for students attending FIU. However, something went terribly wrong, and it will likely be some time before definitive answers are provided as to what caused the brand new bridge to fall.

Steady support available for those who suffer workplace injuries

On behalf of The Accident Law Group, P.A. posted in workplace injuries on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

When you show up for work each day in Florida or some other state, you likely hope to enjoy a productive day with as little amount of stress as possible. While you may be able to make certain projections about production or profitability, you can never be sure exactly how the events of a particular workday will unfold. Sometimes, when you least expect it, workplace injuries will occur.

If you're hurt in a work vehicle or suffer a mishap with a machine or other equipment, the top priority is always to get medical attention as quickly as possible. Beyond that, there are really no two recoveries alike, as each person's body reacts to injury differently, so one person may recover sooner than another even when the injuries suffered are similar. Along with the physical aspects of recovery, you may also encounter challenges regarding financial issues.