Jacksonville Legal Issues Blog

Safety stand-down focuses on fall hazards in construction work

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in Workers' Compensation on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Federal safety regulators and the Center for Construction Research and Training are promoting the fifth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction scheduled for May 2018. This event calls for construction companies in North Carolina and nationwide to halt work and conduct safety training. Protecting workers from falls will be a top priority of the stand-down because they are a primary source of fatal accidents among construction workers.

A deputy director from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that company owners and managers can approach training in a number of ways. The stand-down provides an opportunity to hold demonstrations of safety gear, inspect equipment, watch safety videos or educate workers about the workplace hazards specific to their location.

3 myths about workers’ compensation you need to know about

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in blog on Monday, April 23, 2018.

Most Jacksonville area workers know they may qualify for workers’ compensation. There is so much misinformation circulating about workers’ compensation that many employees do not know the difference between fact and fiction.

It is important for you to have a clear understanding of the workers’ compensation system so you can avoid making mistakes that could result in the denial of your claim or a reduction in compensation. Take some time to review the following common workers’ compensation myths and truths.

Switch to digital workflow causing back pain among radiologists

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Working at computer stations might not appear to put physical demands on workers in North Carolina, but conditions called "computer back" or "mouse shoulder" arise from long hours on a computer. Among radiologists, 32 percent of practice managers reported that their staff members had lower back pain when surveyed by the American College of Radiology. Members of the profession suspect that the transition from a film to a digital work environment has increased hours spent on computers.

Although digital radiology improves efficiency, data storage and billing, it reduces the time that radiologists spend interacting with people. They now sit at computer work stations for long hours without breaks, and they sometimes lack ergonomic equipment. Inappropriate chairs that position people awkwardly lead to musculoskeletal injuries associated with prolonged computer use, like neck pain, back pain and repetitive stress injuries.

Loud noise can lead to occupational disease

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in Workers' Compensation on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

For individuals in North Carolina and elsewhere around the country, workplace dangers can arise from unexpected places. In a study released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), loud, noisy workplaces were associated with high cholesterol and high blood pressure among workers at such facilities. Both of these conditions are major risks for heart disease, which is the leading cause of fatalities across the country. This means that loud noise can be a major health risk in the workplace alongside more commonly recognized risks, like toxic chemicals or dangerous machinery.

Around 41 million people, or a quarter of the United States workforce, reported being exposed to loud noise on the job. There has been an increased recognition of the impacts of noise on overall health. Besides the effects on hearing, loud noise can lead to sleep disruption hours later, poorer cognitive performance and migraine headaches in sufferers. While reducing loud noise and protecting workers has long been recognized as important in avoiding hearing loss, it can also play an important role in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Reviewing the top causes of highway fatalities

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Every now and then, drivers in North Carolina need a review of what the top causes are in highway accidents. This is because highway accidents all too often end in fatalities, and when they don't, they can lead to personal injury claims with potentially high settlements.

Sometimes, the highway design itself may cause drivers to make unsafe decisions. Depending on what geographical features the engineers had to work around, a highway could be beset with tight curves and narrow or missing shoulders. Blind intersections may meet the drivers once they exit the highway. Rain and snow also obscure the visibility of the road and other cars. Wet roads could cause others to veer out of control.

Can I apply for Social Security disability benefits?

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in blog on Monday, March 26, 2018.

Social Security disability insurance, also known as SSD or SSDI, is a federal benefit available to people with disabilities. As with many federal and state benefit programs, the application process can be confusing and complex. In addition, it is not always easy to understand how to qualify or what the requirements are in order to apply for the benefit.

Here is some information about applying for Social Security disability benefits.

5 steps to take after a workplace accident

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

By definition, no one plans for an accident. That is why insurance plans exist, to help you manage the costs of recovery after an accident.

But what happens if you were injured on the job?

Who is liable in a slip-and-fall accident?

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in Personal Injury on Monday, March 19, 2018.

Shoppers expect a smooth purchasing experience when they visit a store, but that is not always the case. Slip-and-fall accidents can cause serious injury to customers and leave them with expensive medical bills.

Victims deserve compensation for these injuries, but the question after an accident is who exactly is liable for paying for the injury?

What if you are in a crash caused by an uninsured motorist?

On behalf of The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. posted in car accidents on Thursday, February 22, 2018.

No one wants to be in a car crash, but it is best to be prepared in case the unexpected happens. If the other driver is at fault, you might assume you can file a claim with that driver's insurance company, but what happens if they have no insurance?

Not everybody obeys the law