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When you’re at work, there are several kinds of injuries you can suffer from. You often hear about traumatic injuries that are physical in nature, but there are also psychological wounds that can make it difficult for you to work effectively. When you suffer from traumatic incident stress, you should be able to get the same kinds of workers’ compensation as when you’re physically hurt. Often, it’s those who respond to emergencies who suffer from this kind of stress. People like first responders who encounter victims of terrible fires, earthquakes or explosions see first hand the terror and anguish of those situations. It’s enough to leave a mark on anyone, and for some, traumatic stress is a result. Traumatic stress can be identified by physical symptoms as well and emotional. Severe pain, chest pain, or symptoms of shock can occur; severe emotional stress can cause real physical harm to a person’s body, triggering heart attacks or other conditions. Those suffering from stress may also show cognitive symptoms like disorientation, nightmares, poor concentration or lowered alertness. Emotionally, they may be filled with guilty or anxiety; they could be grieving or in a severe panic. Sometimes no symptoms appear until later, which is then known as post-traumatic stress. When others notice a person withdrawing from normal activities or picking up unusual habits, like drinking heavily, after a stressful event, it can be a sign that help is needed. The worker in question should receive a psychological evaluation as well as a physical one. Not doing this could put his or her life at risk or make it harder to get help later on. If an employer doesn’t want to make a workers’ compensation claim for this condition, an attorney may be able to help. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Traumatic Incident Stress,” accessed Dec. 24, 2015

Working with heavy machinery is very dangerous for construction teams, and new workers have to be fully informed of those dangers. If you work with machines that chop, blend or shred, then it’s important to know how to turn it off, reverse the blades and top jams safely. If you’re hurt because safety regulations aren’t followed, then your attorney may advise you to seek compensation from your workplace. A story out of North Carolina draws attention to the dangers of working in construction. According to the news release from Dec. 9, a teenager had just started his first day of work when he was pulled into a wood chipper and killed. The 19-year-old man was in charge of placing tree limbs into the wood chipper at a job site. Not long after he began working, other workers heard the machine sound different. Thinking it had jammed, they went to see what was wrong. It was discovered that the teen had tried to kick a jammed branch into the machine when he was pulled into the machine himself. The business owner on site hit the kill switch and placed the machine in reverse, but he was too late. The teen was pulled into the machine. As the emergency unfolded, other workers were allegedly in shock following the incident, and the owner was so panicked that he suffered a heart attack at the scene. He was rushed to the hospital. As of the moment, the police on scene ruled that the incident was accidental and don’t suspect any wrongdoing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be investigating the accident to determine if any safety violations were the fault of the company. Source: ABC 13, “N.C. Teen Falls Into Wood Chipper, Dies During First Day of Work,” Dec. 09, 2015

Chemicals are used often in manufacturing and other such industries, and exposure to them can be very dangerous to employees. Often, short-term exposure isn’t a big issue, but employees who are exposed to these chemicals five or more days a week for years on end could develop serious diseases. Some of the most dangerous substances and chemicals include the following: — Mercury– Brass– Arsenic– Anthrax– Zinc– Manganese– Phosphorus– Lead– Chrome– Benzol– Carbon Bisulphide– Menthanol– Radium The results of poisoning from these substances can be long-lasting, and it can even be deadly. While far more is now known about how these substances work than was known in the past—lead poisoning used to be much more common when it was used for pipes, for example—that does not mean that workers aren’t at risk. It is important to point out that proving a workplace illness is related to these things can be tough, and strict guidelines must sometimes be followed. For lead, for example, an employee needs to have been exposed to it for an entire month—30 days—out of the previous 12 months. Additionally, it will have to be shown that any ailments are directly connected to that exposure, and that the costs of treatment—and other financial losses—are then connected to the poisoning. As such, workers in North Carolina need to be very aware of how the legal process works when they have been harmed by chemicals in the workplace. Only by understanding and following all of the guidelines perfectly can they put themselves in the best position to get compensation. Source: North Carolina Government, “Article I: Workers’ Compensation Act,” accessed Dec. 10, 2015

During November and December, the demand for turkeys gets much higher in the United States thanks to Thanksgiving and Christmas. As families get together for the season, they want to have larger dinner parties and get togethers, meaning more and more of the birds have to be prepared for sale. Workers who have to handle these meats claim that while reform has been promised, working in a factory is still dangerous and doesn’t pay enough during the holidays to make it worth the hassle. This means that if you work in a factory processing turkeys and suffered and injury, you’re likely focusing on a new line of work and on how to get the compensation you need. Line speeds may be extremely fast in these environments, and workers are standing in the same place all day; repetitive motion injuries can be a common occurrence. One worker, a 26-year-old man, stated that he couldn’t bend the fingers on his right hand, struggled to use the hand and right shoulder, and suffered from severe pain. He was expected to process around 55 turkeys every minute for at least an eight hour shift in many cases. The truth is that there is around a 100 percent turnover rate in poultry plants because of the difficulty of the work and labor each year. The jobs aren’t really designed for workers who want to have a long-lasting career; instead, they’re short-lived and can end up causing significant impairments to those who suffer work-related injuries. What are the most common injuries? A survey of 300 workers found that, of workers responsible for cutting the wings of the birds, 86 percent had suffered from or are suffering from numbness, wrist pain, swelling or other conditions. These injuries, while likely treatable in early stages, could lead to serious problems using the hands in the future. Source: TakePart, “Workers Say Turkey Processing Jobs Are Thankless,” Shaya Tayefe Mohajer, Nov. 26, 2015

As an employee working in industry, you have rights in case that you get injured. For example, imagine that you are walking in your workplace when you trip and fall on carpet that has bunched up and not been repaired. You sprained your ankle in the fall, and you now need medical attention. It’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure you get the medical attention you need covered by workers’ compensation. Most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance or a private employee insurance carrier. That way, if an employee suffers from an injury, illness, occupational disease or other condition, he or she can see a physician and have his or her care covered by the insurance provider. When an employee is going to be off work for over a day or will cost over $2,000 in medical fees, the injury needs to be reported to the Industrial Commission, according to the North Carolina Industrial Commission’s website. If you miss over a week of work, that’s when you tend to start receiving workers’ compensation benefits. They usually amount to two-thirds of your average wage from before your injury and continue until the coverage is no longer needed. When you need long-term care and coverage, that’s when you may be entitled to disability payments. Long-term disability payments for your injury will not amount to the same wages you would have made, but they should be around two-thirds of your yearly income as long as it’s required and you’re seen as being disabled. Our website has more information on workplace injuries and how you can apply for compensation.

This is a great time to ask about lung disease as November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The discussion provides a good opportunity to remind North Carolina workers and their employers that lung disease lays waste to the lives of employees and their family members every year. It is an especially insidious occupational illness, slowly encroaching upon the lives of industrial workers and wreaking devastation upon their lungs. Some of the most destructive forms of occupational lung disease include black lung or pneumoconiosis, silicosis, lung cancer and chronic beryllium disease. These workplace illnesses occur when employees are exposed to dust and other contaminates that enter the victim’s lungs. As far as what is being done to reduce or even eliminate lung disease in the workplace, several measures are underway. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has advanced a silica proposal based on over 75 years of research. If finalized, the proposal will improve the lung protection available to workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has also advanced a similar proposal targeting beryllium. If finalized, this proposal would markedly limit the volume of beryllium in the air that North Carolina employees must breathe while performing their duties. At the government level, the U.S. Department of Labor is also working on the issue of occupational lung disease. Much of this work is focused on the proper use of respirators in the workplace. The Labor Department also advocates other measures such as decreasing the amount of dust workers must breathe. Occupational lung disease is largely preventable. When employers and other persons of authority recognize this fact and put proper safety measures into place, the nation should see a dramatic decrease in the amount of work-related lung illnesses. In the interim, victims of occupational lung disease are encouraged to speak with an attorney about the legal options available. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, “Lung Health – A Workers’ Issue,” Tom Perez, Nov. 12, 2015

One of the most perplexing issues attorneys in North Carolina often address is how little the state’s workers know about their safety rights. In many cases, injured workers even blame themselves when something completely out of their control causes a workplace injury. In today’s still-recovering economy, employees hesitate to “make waves” at work because they need their jobs and want to keep them indefinitely. While this is easy to understand, it is crucial for those employed in the state to know that no job is worth a serious injury or death. Under the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are required to provide their workers with safe working conditions in an environment free of known dangers. This means you cannot legally be fired from your job for taking any action about your unsafe working conditions. The act allows you to request an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection of your workplace if you believe it is not safe. You can also review the results of safety tests performed in your workplace as well as records showing the history of work-related illnesses and injuries. This important act is in place to protect you while you are performing your work, but perhaps more importantly, it will also protect you from retaliation or discrimination if you file a complaint with OSHA. Despite this protection, retaliation and discrimination still occurs in some situations. This is when North Carolina workers should consider speaking with an attorney about their case. Learn more about workplace safety, workers’ compensation and workplace injuries at the website of Greensboro’s Jay Gervasi law firm.

The nation already understands about dangerous working conditions, but chicken processing plants are apparently some of the country’s worst offenders. Recent reports indicate that workers in this industry are subject to numerous workplace injuries and medical problems. A new report says that these problems occur due to “rampant health and safety issues” present in America’s chicken processing industry. The report details one worker’s hand injuries, which worsened over time as he continued to work. The worker claims that the onsite nurse told him his injuries were not cause to worry. However, when he finally sought medical help, the doctor told him “he’d never seen injuries as bad” as the worker’s. The worker also said the supervisor ignored the work restrictions given out by the doctor and returned him to work on the processing line. According to Oxfam America, the nation’s demand for affordably-priced chicken has driven processing plants to increase the speed of processing lines. The organization says today’s speeds are two times faster than they were in 1979. This means that workers are processing about 140 chickens each minute compared with 91 chickens per minute in the late 1970s. These increased speeds, along with the repetitive motions workers use, create a prime atmosphere for workplace injuries such as severe pain, tingling in some parts of the body and loss of grip, among others. Reportedly, chicken processing workers suffer more carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injuries and musculoskeletal disorders than many other industries. Chicken processing plants thrive in North Carolina, employing a large volume of workers. While these workers need the income, they do not deserve to be repeatedly injured for their efforts. An attorney can provide you with additional information if you work in this industry and are suffering from workplace injuries. Source: Think Progress, “The Hellish Conditions Facing Workers At Chicken Processing Plants,” Bryce Covert, Oct. 27, 2015

Some of the most traumatic workplace injuries in North Carolina involve amputations. Most drastically, these can happen to entire limbs, but there are also many cases where fingers and toes are amputated. The risk of this often differs depending on the industry—for example, someone working with hydraulic presses or heavy cutting machinery may be at much higher risk than someone working in a clothing factory, though amputations could happen in either setting. Now, one of the first things many people want to know is if they’ve lost the digit forever or if it can be reattached. To determine this, the nursing staff has to look at a few key factors. Perhaps most importantly, the way that the amputation happened plays a huge role. A clean cut—such as that made by a saw blade—is called a guillotine injury. The odds of reattaching a finger that has been quickly and cleanly severed are higher than other types of injuries. The other main type of amputation is known as a crush injury. This can happen in a car accident or another scenario where two heavy objects come together. For crush injuries, reattachment is less likely because the damage to the flesh, bone and tissue around the cut can be so extensive. This can make it impossible for it to be connected or to regenerate properly. Another huge factor is time. If a person is taken to a medical center in minutes, the odds of reattachment are much better, as the digit will still be well preserved. If you’ve lost a body part in a workplace injury, you must know what rights you have to compensation, as the impact—even when it can be reattached—can last a lifetime. Source: Modern Medicine, “Trauma nursing: Amputatio,” Lisa Walke, Darla Annonio and Amy S. Clontz, accessed Oct. 29, 2015

You probably know about some of the biggest causes of heart disease, such as not getting enough exercise or having an unhealthy diet. While these things seem easy enough to change, there are other facts that can’t be changed as easily, or at all—such as hereditary issues. Additionally, new research shows that your job itself may contribute to the risk level. The results of the study can be unsettling. Those working in service positions, those with blue-collar occupations, and those who are unemployed have a high risk. In fact, 2.9 percent of people working in wholesale had strokes or heart attacks, making it the most dangerous industry in this regard. The second most dangerous industry is public administration, with 2.8 percent. Next came administrative, support, remediation and waste management, with 2.7. It was tied for that spot with transportation and warehousing. What was the safest industry? It is finance and insurance. Only 0.8 percent of the people in that industry suffered from heart disease, the lowest in the study. The next safest industry is information, with just 1.1 percent, and then education services, with 1.2 percent. Remember, since these are percentages, the differences in overall totals are accounted for. The fact that far more people have blue-collar jobs than work in high-end finance jobs doesn’t matter, for example, with risks based on percentages of overall workers. As this study shows, there is a direct correlation between where people work and the likelihood of heart disease and related issues. If you are suffering from a medical condition caused by your job, be sure you know your legal rights in North Carolina. Source: LiveScience, “Heart Disease Risk Revealed,” accessed Oct. 22, 2015

The recent severe flooding in North Carolina’s neighboring state has brought workplace safety in flood conditions into the spotlight. The information in this post is important to all kinds of state workers including those who work to clean up after a flood and those who are simply returning to their regular worksites, which may still be underwater. According the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, many hazards can be present in flood conditions. The first hazard OSHA talks about is driving during flood conditions. The administration cautions workers who must drive to be cautious in unknown road conditions, stating that almost half of flood-related deaths involve motor vehicles. Other flood hazards that could result in workplace accidents include the following. — Electrical hazards, which can increase in the presence of water. — Carbon monoxide hazards due to the use of diesel and gas powered pumps and other equipment. — Lifting hazards, which can occur as workers struggle to clean up the worksite. — Pest hazards from snakes, rodents, insects and stray animals include bites and disease from dead pests. — Drowning hazards that might occur in fast-moving water or stagnant water that might be deeper than workers perceive. — Fire hazards from damaged protection systems. — Hypothermia hazards, which can occur if laborers spend time in water that is colder than 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Many industries include flood preparedness and training in their workplace safety plans, but nothing can replace individual care and caution while working. Flooding can occur anywhere and at any time; ask your employer about including flood training and safety in your occupation’s safety plan. If you have been needlessly injured while working during flood conditions, you should know that the law is on your side. Consider speaking with a North Carolina attorney about your legal options if you cannot find satisfaction through your employer. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, “Flood Preparedness and Response,” accessed Oct. 13, 2015

Unpaid time off from any job quickly can cause financial difficulties for Guilford County workers. When loss of work time is due to an injury, significant medical expenses add to the burden. Benefits, paid through employer-paid workers’ compensation insurance, cover these losses for employees with occupational injuries or illnesses. Health care coverage applies to injury-related hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescription drugs, medical travel expenses and other medical costs. Medical benefits are paid as long as “reasonably necessary,” as determined by the state Industrial Commission in accordance with guidelines in the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. In addition, benefits equivalent to a portion of lost wages are paid while injured employees are unable to work or work at full capacity. Workers’ compensation benefits are available when workers suffer temporary or permanent injuries that are partially or totally disabling. Some employees continue to receive wage benefits after returning to work, when injuries force workers to take lower paying positions or change employment. Total disability benefits equal two-thirds of an employee’s weekly wage, no higher than an annually-adjusted state cap. The maximum weekly rate for workers’ comp wage benefits in 2016 is $944, up $24 from the 2015 cap. Medical costs for workplace injuries may be covered indefinitely, in some cases, even for the remainder of an injured employee’s life. However, the state imposes limits upon how long and under what circumstances benefits for wage losses continue. Claim decisions are based upon the employee’s ability to earn wages, whether or not post-injury employment includes the position a worker held previously. An injury’s short- and long-term impact upon an employee’s earning capacity is the primary consideration in workers’ compensation wage claims. An attorney can explain the various categories of benefits available under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. Lawyers also help injured workers file claims, dispute denials and pursue all other available benefits and legal compensation. Source: North Carolina Bar Association, “Workers’ Compensation: What do do in case of an on-the-job injury,” accessed Oct. 08, 2015