Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Does Workers’ Comp Cover Knee Injuries?
Serious knee injuries are among the most common and most limiting kinds of physical injuries. Almost seven million Americans experience severe knee pain every year. Furthermore, these injuries are not just physical. Knee pain makes most physical activities difficult or impossible. That includes everything from running a 5k to cleaning the kitchen. These individuals… Read More »
What Does the Law Say About Workers’ Compensation and Pre-Existing Conditions?
It is hard to think of an occupational disease which does not involve pre-existing conditions in some way. Hearing loss, which is one of the most common occupational diseases, is probably the best example. Loud noises are everywhere and not just at work. It is often difficult, or impossible, to pinpoint an exact cause…. Read More »
Is Workers’ Compensation Always the Exclusive Remedy in Mississippi?
At a time when many jurisdictions are rethinking this concept, the Magnolia State has one of the broadest exclusive remedy provisions in the country. These laws forbid injured workers from obtaining compensation in civil court for a work-related trauma injury or occupational disease. That being said, very few things in life are “always” true… Read More »
Top Five Work-Related Head Injury Causes in Mississippi
Every year, Traumatic Brain Injuries impact over two million Americans. A significant number of these injuries are debilitating or fatal. All these wounds are permanent. Once brain cells die, they never regenerate. Extended physical therapy can ease the symptoms but never cure the disease. Many TBIs occur at work. Contrary to popular myth, not… Read More »
The Fatal Four Construction Injuries in Louisiana
Construction consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous occupations in Louisiana. Firms are under more pressure than ever to complete jobs as quickly and cheaply as possible. As a result, they often cut corners when it comes to workplace safety. That approach makes a very hazardous industry even more dangerous. The Occupational Safety… Read More »
Workers’ Compensation and Medical Bill Payment in Mississippi
The average injury related hospital bill in Mississippi is about $100,000. Catastrophic injuries, such as spine injuries, and serious occupational diseases, like toxic exposure cancer, might be ten times as high or even much higher. Most health insurance companies do not pay these costs, for liability reasons. Generally, workers’ compensation covers all reasonably necessary… Read More »
The Wage Replacement Benefit in Louisiana
A work-related illness or injury usually cuts off a family’s primary or only source of income. So, workers’ compensation includes a wage replacement benefit. These benefits continue for up to 520 weeks (ten years). That’s one of the longest periods in the country. So, while victims recover, their families are taken care of, at… Read More »
What to Expect in a Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Claim
Twenty-five years ago, the workers’ compensation system expedited financial relief to job injury victims, so these individuals could get to work faster. But a lot has changed since then. When factoring in inflation, these benefits have decreased about 20 percent since the 1990s. Additionally. Mississippi lawmakers have erected various procedural hurdles which make these… Read More »
Top Five Occupational Diseases in Louisiana
Occupational disease claims are usually the most complex workers’ compensation claims. Frequently, the victim did not immediately report the illness, so there are time deadline issues. Additionally, a pre-existing condition is usually involved. Full compensation is available in such situations, but there are a few added legal wrinkles. An experienced New Orleans workers’ compensation… Read More »
What to Expect in a Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Claim
In the early 1900s, many factories were extremely dangerous places. The court system was unable to effectively process all injury claims. So, injured workers surrendered their right to sue for damages in court in exchange for a management-provided insurance system that paid compensation for lost wages and medical bills. Incidentally, to deflect blame for… Read More »