Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Top Five Occupational Diseases in Mississippi
Occupational diseases are job-related illnesses which develop slowly over time. That time period could be anywhere from a few weeks to a few decades. Even if the victim had a pre-existing or non-work-related condition which contributed to the occupational disease, full compensation is usually available. The victim must simply show that the pre-existing or… Read More »
What to Expect in a Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Claim
Once upon a time, the workers’ compensation system was a streamlined way for job injury victims to obtain compensation for their lost wages and payment for their medical bills. But those days are over. Today, many Louisiana job injury victims wait up to six months for an appeal hearing date. Additionally, benefits payments in… Read More »
Should I Always File a Comp Claim If I’m Injured at Work?
In almost all cases, the answer is “yes.” Typically, victims can voluntarily withdraw their claims later, if their attorneys advise them to do so. Additionally, it is illegal to discriminate against people who file workers’ compensation claims. If your employer retaliates against you or takes other adverse action, your employer is in hot water…. Read More »
Does Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Cover Knee, Shoulder, and Other Joint Injuries?
Almost everyone who works for a living must bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and move in other unnatural ways. Over time, these movements could cause a Repetitive Strain Injury. Contrary to popular myth, RSIs are not limited to warehouse and other blue-collar workers. All workers are potential victims. In fact, the first reported RSI cases… Read More »
Why Should Landscaping Workers Be Concerned About Benzo[a]pyrene?
Lawn mowers, edgers, leaf blowers, and other lawn and garden equipment emit a significant amount of benzo[a]pyrene particles. The mixture of organic material, such as lawn clippings, and extreme heat, like a gasoline engine, creates this chemical. Wood burning produces many benzo[a]pyrene particles, so at very low levels, they are not harmful. But at… Read More »
Legal Options Under the New Mississippi First Responders Health and Safety Act
Many workers risk toxic exposure. Construction workers often encounter asbestos and landscaping workers often inhale toxic fumes. Emergency responders often inhale toxic fumes as well, mostly from smoke. However, the link between a work-related condition and cancer is often hard to establish. Partially in response to this dilemma, then-Governor Phil Bryant signed S.B. 2835… Read More »
Watch Out For These Workers’ Comp Employer Fraud Schemes
Employee workers’ compensation fraud stories, such as individuals who fake or overstate workplace injuries, usually make the headlines. Yet these incidents only make up about 1 percent of all workers’ compensation claims. Furthermore, authorities deal with these cases swiftly and severely. Employer workers’ compensation fraud, on the other hand, is a much more widespread… Read More »
What You Need to Know About Workplace Head Injuries
On-the-job illnesses and injuries are among the leading causes of head injuries. These wounds send over a million Americans to hospital emergency rooms every year. Rather disturbingly, doctors treat and release the vast majority of these victims. So, many of them do not get the medical care they need. Brain injuries are degenerative. Initial… Read More »
Landscaping, Gardening, and Workers’ Compensation in Mississippi
Over a million people work in the groundskeeping industry, and this sector is one of the fastest-growing employment areas in the United States. As outlined below, these workers are susceptible to various trauma injuries and occupational diseases. Generally, workers’ compensation benefits are available in these situations. These benefits usually include money for lost wages… Read More »
I Have a Pre-Existing Condition. Does Workers’ Compensation Still Cover My Medical Bills?
Occupational diseases are one of the leading causes of hospitalization and medical care in Louisiana. However, they are normally not the only cause. Hearing loss is a good example. This malady affects millions of American workers. However, overall noise pollution is usually a factor as well. Almost half of the people in developed countries… Read More »