No matter how experienced you are, there’s always a danger when working with heavy machinery. Even when you follow all of the safety guidelines, there are variables outside of our control that can cause accidents.

You may have heard last month about the death of a local Fayetteville construction worker who was tragically killed during the flooding from Hurricane Matthew. He was driving a construction vehicle along the banks of a river while repairing a sewer line, when the earth along the water gave way, and caused his vehicle to tip into the water.

While nothing could have been done to prepare for this scenario, it’s always best to follow safety protocols in order to minimize the risk of injury. Make sure you are wearing proper safety equipment, and always be aware of your surroundings.

It’s good to know that if you are injured at work as a result of a natural disaster (for instance flooding), that injury should be covered by workers’ compensation. Work-related deaths are also covered under workers’ compensation. The death of a loved one is a difficult time no matter the circumstances. The last thing you need is to have to wade through the nuances of a workers’ compensation claim. Let an experienced attorney help guide you through this difficult time.

If you or someone you know has been injured at work as a result of a natural disaster, be sure to contact an experienced attorney at Oxner + Permar for a free consultation. With more than $275 million in awards and settlements, our attorneys have the experience to get you the benefits you deserve.

If you do temp work, then you know how quickly you can move from one company to the next. Even positions that transition you from temporary to permanent employee often require you to work for a period of 90 days, or even 180 days, before you’re considered a full-time employee. So what happens if you sustain a work injury while you’re employed as a temporary worker?

Don’t worry! You’re still eligible for workers’ compensation.

The first main difference between filing for workers’ compensation as a temporary employee versus filing as a permanent employee is who you’re filing with. Instead of filing a claim against the company you’re working for, you’ll be filing a claim against the temp agency.

One you’ve filed your workman’s compensation claim, your doctor may restrict your work hours or duties while you recover. Here’s where the next big difference comes in: The company you’re working for may not accommodate your working restrictions. In this case, your temp agency may have to assign you to a different company. In some cases, they might even assign you to do light duty in their office.

If your temp agency isn’t placing you, be sure that you have a written record (get copies of notes or emails) documenting that you are asking them at least once a week if they have anything available within your restrictions.

Just like any other worker, you’re entitled to compensation while you’re out of work. I’ve seen plenty of cases where temp agencies say their injured workers never expressed interest or were unavailable for work in order to get out of paying you workers’ comp benefits.

Don’t fall for this trap! Keep records and be consistent when asking your temp agency for work.

Temporary workers are entitled to workers’ comp benefits. If you’re being denied compensation or work while you’re on restricted hours, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced attorney.

Living on the coast of North Carolina has so many benefits. There’s the wonderful weather, diverse wildlife, and proximity to the beach. Even with all these positives, things aren’t always bright and sunny. Hurricanes can pose a huge threat to infrastructure and safety. While we always do our best to be prepared for such disasters and recommend that people don’t work when conditions are bad, sometimes injuries are inevitable. So what happens if you’re injured at work due to a natural disaster? Are you covered by workers’ compensation?

The good news is, yes! Workers’ compensation will cover you in the event of a natural disaster at work — and also in cases of workplace violence and terrorist attacks. Workers’ compensation is intended to protect you from just about any kind of work-related injury, and while injury from these scenarios might not be part of your everyday job, you are exposed to them because you are at work.

If you or someone you know has sustained an injury due to a natural disaster while at work, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Our goal is to partner with you every step of the way to make sure that your rights are being protected and that you’re receiving the benefits that you deserve.

If you’ve been injured at work, be sure to contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free consultation.

When working certain jobs, you’re going to be exposed to certain dangers that you might not be exposed in everyday life. For instance, if you’re an electrician, chances are your probability of experiencing an electric shock is higher than that of someone who isn’t an electrician. The same is true of occupational diseases. You might have heard the term “occupational disease” and know that they’re covered by workers’ compensation. But what exactly are occupational diseases? Is it just a sickness you get while at work?

Well, not quite. You may catch the flu from a coworker and miss a week of work, but this does not mean that you are eligible for workers’ compensation. An occupational disease is a condition that disables you due to exposure to a hazard to which the general public is not equally exposed. It’s that last bit that rules out the flu. You could just as easily catch the flu by being out in public.

So what kinds of things do qualify? One famous example is a coal miner who developed black lung from working in a mine. More common examples would be something such as repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or rotator cuff tears.

It is even possible to win a back injury as an occupational disease, but it’s very tough to do so. The problem is that there are special rules for back claims. The law gets very specific, very fast. Succeeding with these claims is pretty difficult unless you are very experienced in the law.

If you’ve developed an occupational disease as a result of your work, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced attorney. We can guide you through the process, and help you make your case.

An occupational disease is a condition caused directly by the work that you do. If you develop an occupational disease, be sure to contact an experienced attorney. You may qualify for benefits.

Building snowmen, going sledding, snowball fights, and days off from school might make some look forward to winter weather. But those who have to work in a winter wonderland might not embrace snow in the forecast with such joy. If this pertains to you, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your work station from the hazards of winter weather.

1. Avoid icy conditions. If you don’t have to go into work when there’s ice or snow on the roads, don’t! If it’s unavoidable, drive carefully and slowly. If you have snow tires, be sure to use them. Work on scaffolding should be suspended if at all possible. Watch out for black ice and places that might freeze before the ground does.
2. Be mindful of frozen pipes. We know it’s not always possible to protect exposed pipes from the elements. If your pipes freeze, make sure they are thawed by a trained employee using approved methods (such as space heaters or a heat gun).
3. Maintain machinery. Always check to make sure that heavy machinery has not been affected by the cold — especially equipment such as cranes that might require climbing. If ice accumulates on the ladder, it could cause you to slip and fall.
4. Dress appropriately. If you work outside, be sure to dress warmly: coat, hat, gloves, boots.
5. Take breaks to warm up. If you find yourself unable to feel your hands or feet, are having difficulty moving them, or are unable to stop shivering, take a break to go warm up! Hypothermia and frostbite are serious conditions, and you should take precautions against them. If you develop hypothermia or frostbite while on the job, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation.

When it comes to winter weather, don’t take chances. The best thing is to use precaution and your best judgment. If something seems unsafe, don’t do it. Your health and safety is more important than any job. If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free consultation.

Winter weather increases the risk of an on-the-job injury. Be sure to stay safe, and don’t take unnecessary risks.