Klein & Carney Co., L.L.C.Cleveland Personal Injury Lawyers | Medical Malpractice | Car Accident2024-03-07T22:09:11Zhttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1301612/2020/10/cropped-Favicon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493352024-03-07T22:09:11Z2024-03-05T22:08:40ZMost common large truck accident injuries
The force of a collision can cause head and brain injuries. That’s one reason these types of injuries are common during truck accidents. Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries can affect memory, cognitive ability and mobility.
Spinal cord injuries can also occur due to the impact caused by a large truck. Getting crushed or receiving a blow to the back can hurt the spine. Damage to the spine can result in temporary or permanent paralysis.
Less severe truck accident injuries
Soft tissue injuries are common as well but are generally less severe than spine or head injuries. Soft tissue injuries include injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments. For example, whiplash is a soft tissue injury common following a truck accident. Although these injuries are usually not life-threatening, they are painful and require recovery time.
The high impact of truck accidents can also result in broken bones. Minor fractures to the hands or feet are common. However, fractures are sometimes serious. The more serious broken bone injuries often include the ribs, pelvis or legs.
Internal injuries
Internal injuries to the chest and torso are life-threatening. Severe damage to the lungs, ribs and other internal organs can result in death. These injuries typically involve internal bleeding and require immediate medical attention.
Any part of the body can get injured during a truck accident, but the injuries discussed above are some of the most common. If you’re in a truck accident, consider seeking medical assistance even if you feel fine.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493342024-02-19T08:16:18Z2024-02-19T08:16:18ZUnderstanding liability and remote work
There are a few main factors looked at when a remote employee gets injured. The first factor is what the remote worker was doing at the time of their injury and when the incident happened. Generally, a workplace injury must involve a work-related activity taking place when an employee suffered their injuries.
Someone who fell down their home's stairs to take a spur-of-the-moment work call may qualify for workers' compensation benefits. However, those same protections wouldn't likely apply if this same person fell while running to the kitchen to get a drink. It would also be difficult for someone to claim workers' compensation if an injury involved non-work-related activities such as folding the laundry or getting into an accident while going to get groceries.
Common remote employee injuries
Remote employees can get hurt in a variety of ways. However, several types of injuries happen more often than others. People working from home commonly suffer slip-and-fall injuries. Due to remote jobs involving mostly sedentary work, back and neck injuries are also common for people working from home.
That said, remote workers aren't always working from home. Sometimes, these people must drive to nearby meetings or to visit clients. You might have a valid workers' compensation claim if an accident happens during these trips.
Without having colleagues around them, a remote worker might feel unsure of what to do after they get hurt. Before doing anything else, seek medical attention for your injury.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493312024-02-08T08:38:15Z2024-02-08T08:38:15ZFunding opportunities for MSD prevention
The National Safety Council (NSC) recently announced it will offer up to $260,000 in grant funding throughout 2024. This brings total grant funding for resolving MSDs to a total of $535,000, which also received funding from Amazon's Global workplace health and safety department.
Details about available grants
A Research to Solutions grant will pledge up to $50,000 each to any approved projects, offering an overall total of $200,000. This grant is designed so that companies, industries and academic facilities can formulate new and innovative solutions for MSDs in the workplace.
Another popular grant, the MSD Pilot Grant, plans to award a total of $60,000 in grant funding at a rate of up to $20,000 per approved project. These projects are to focus on MSD injuries affecting the upper body areas of workers. Applicants for the MSD Pilot Grant will also need to work with several technology companies that appeared at the 2023 NSC Safety Congress and Expo.
The potential impact of these new grants
Funders and researchers hope that issuing these new grants leads to solutions preventing MSDs in the workplace. Fewer MSDs can help ensure employees stay safe while companies avoid often costly workers' compensation claims.
The risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders is a reality for professionals working in many industries. When a job forces workers to perform sudden or repeated motions improperly, the risk of MSDs will be present.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493292024-02-07T03:07:59Z2024-02-07T03:07:59ZUnderstanding Ohio's premises liability laws
Before delving into the details of being partially at fault for falling at a rental property in Ohio, it is important to understand the concept of premises liability. In Ohio, premise liability laws require property owners to maintain a safe environment for individuals who are legally on their property.
Contributory negligence in Ohio
Even though the landlord is responsible for keeping visitors and tenants safe, you, as an individual, also have a duty of care to ensure your own safety. You cannot just jump off a balcony or carelessly navigate slippery stairs and expect the landlord to be 100% at fault for your injuries. Under Ohio's contributory fault rule, the court will take your actions and level of responsibility into consideration when determining fault.
They will accord you a percentage of the blame depending on your level of carelessness or recklessness. They will then subtract that percentage from your total compensation.
Steps to take if you are partially at fault for falling at a rental property in Ohio
In such a situation, your only goal should be to maximize your compensation. To do that:
You should seek medical attention to get evidence that will help establish a link between your fall and any injuries sustained.
Take pictures of the location where you fell, any hazards that may have contributed to your fall and any visible injuries.
If other tenants can act as witnesses, get their contact information.
Report the incident and file a lawsuit as soon as you can.
Being partly at fault shouldn't scare you from seeking compensation for your injuries. As long as you have evidence to support your claims, you can still receive significant compensation. It's essential to follow the proper steps to ensure you are not taken advantage of by the landlord or insurance company.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493272024-01-29T06:56:43Z2024-01-29T06:56:43ZLarge vehicles and pedestrian dangers
Heavy-duty trucks, full-size SUVs, and large cars present dangers to fellow commuters and pedestrians because their mass and weight may cause more severe injuries than smaller models. While small cars, compact SUVs, and light-duty trucks could also be dangerous, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a research study showing that larger models have a 45% greater chance of causing fatalities.
The design of some larger vehicles may have greater blind spots than smaller ones or could push a pedestrian down, increasing the chances of fatalities. Since many auto consumers prefer oversized models, pedestrians find themselves in unsafe situations.
Additional factors
Drivers must prioritize safety when operating a vehicle if they wish to avoid auto collisions and pedestrian accidents. For example, drivers operating models with troubling blind spots may need to exercise caution when backing up, making turns or changing lanes. Regardless of the vehicle the driver operates, reckless behavior such as speeding or driving under the influence will increase the potential for a crash.
Pedestrians injured in a vehicle accident may file a personal injury lawsuit when negligence contributes to the crash. Sometimes, the victims may seek claims from multiple parties if more than one person is liable. Often, auto insurance settlements cover the victims' losses. With fatal accidents, the plaintiffs might seek punitive damages.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493252024-01-10T03:23:23Z2024-01-10T03:23:23ZNot seeking medical attention
The sudden shock of car accidents often releases adrenaline throughout your body. Adrenaline can cause your heart to begin beating rapidly. It can also minimize the amount of pain you feel. Considering that, and the fact that injuries often worsen after an automobile accident, you never want to avoid seeking medical attention.
Admitting you're at fault
After your accident, you're likely to speak with the other driver. During this time, regardless of whether you believe it's true, don't admit to being at fault for the accident. Instead, it's better to focus on exchanging information with the other driver to move forward with this stressful event. The upcoming investigation phase should accurately show who's at fault or who shares fault from this accident.
Sharing your accident on social media
You likely have one or several social media accounts. Whether you use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or others, never share details about your recent car accident. This is a mistake because the other party's insurance company may be looking at what you post. And they're looking to build a stronger case against you. These companies look for text and photo details related to your accident that go against what you originally claimed.
The aftermath of an automobile accident can be understandably traumatic. Fortunately, following the tips above can help you avoid making a potentially costly post-accident mistake.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493232023-12-27T06:02:52Z2023-12-27T06:02:52ZExposure to something harmful
The first and the most common cause of injuries in the workplace is exposure to something harmful. This can include chemicals, electricity, high levels of noise, radiation and contagious microorganisms. People in construction, healthcare, mining and manufacturing are more exposed to this type of risk than others.
Exposure to harmful substances affects your skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat and respiratory system. Moreover, these hazards can cause burns, fractures and other injuries. Even though most workplaces have strict rules about wearing protective gear while handling hazardous substances, a lack of training or negligence can result in accidents.
Overexertion and bodily reaction
If your job entails a lot of lifting, pushing or pulling, then you are likely to suffer from overexertion injuries. This type of injury is the result of wearing out your muscles, tendons and ligaments. It can also cause harm to your spine, shoulders, neck and arms.
Slips, trips and falls
You can slip and trip without falling, fall from the same level or fall from a high place. Any of these accidents can happen due to slippery surfaces, cluttered floors, changes in elevation without warning signs, stairs without handrails, etc. Most people who file for workers' compensation benefits in Ohio do it because of this type of work accident. It's sudden, but the damage is quite significant.
It's important to understand that, as per Ohio laws, your employer is responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for you. However, you also have a role in ensuring your own safety. By being aware of common workplace injuries and taking necessary precautions, you can help prevent accidents and protect yourself from harm while on the job.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493212023-12-13T06:21:40Z2023-12-13T06:21:40ZViolence in the workplace
Workplace violence covered by workers' compensation claims encompasses physical violence, intimidation, harassment and threatening or disruptive behavior. Altercations or arguments among coworkers, whether related to work or not, can escalate into violence. Positions of responsibility, like supervisors and managers, make individuals particularly susceptible to this type of violence.
The spectrum of violence extends to criminal activities like robbery or vandalism. Conflicts and disagreements between employees and customers are not uncommon. In rare instances, disgruntled employees may introduce firearms into the workplace, creating a perilous situation for everyone involved.
Does workers' comp cover violence?
Law enforcement officials carrying out their duties may become victims of workplace violence. In such cases, workers' compensation may cover the injuries resulting from the violence. Customers might attack employees due to work-related matters, such as dissatisfaction with a purchased product, leading to potential workers' compensation claims.
However, domestic violence situations involving an employee's partner assaulting them on the job might not qualify for workers' compensation coverage. In active shooter scenarios, a workers' compensation claim could be valid, provided the shooter was not specifically targeting individuals for personal reasons.
A complicated topic
Regardless of how an injury occurs, getting medical treatment is typically in a person’s best interest. Taking quick action may be able to strengthen their case and increase the chance of a person filing for workers' compensation to get the assistance they desire.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493192023-12-08T04:53:59Z2023-12-08T04:53:59ZUnderstanding negligence
Generally speaking, the property owner of the sidewalk is responsible for keeping it clear of ice, snow or anything else that could cause a slip, trip or fall hazard. For example, if a homeowner knew freezing rain was in the forecast, that person should know to put a deicer down. If a shop owner was responsible for keeping a sidewalk clear, that person might be liable for damages if this isn't done. At a minimum, whoever owns the property where you were hurt should have put up a sign indicating the potentially hazardous condition.
You have a duty of care
You have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to avoid falling while walking on a slippery sidewalk. For instance, you may be deemed partially liable for your injuries if you were wearing sandals at the time of a slip or fall. This is because you should know that this type of footwear offers limited traction.
Other factors to consider
A defendant in a premises liability case may claim that there wasn't enough time to take action. For instance, if a sidewalk is icy because the temperature dropped 20 degrees in a matter of minutes, there may be little the defendant could have done to mitigate a dangerous situation. The same might be true if the sidewalk was slippery because it snowed more than expected and it was difficult to keep up.
You can use photos, videos or witness statements to prove that the defendant was negligent in allowing your injuries to occur. Medical bills and other documents may be used to prove that you incurred a financial loss, which is another element to establishing that the defendant acted in a negligent manner.]]>On Behalf of Klein & Carney Co., LLChttps://www.kleinandcarney.com/?p=493172023-11-27T20:34:26Z2023-11-27T20:34:26ZThe fall location
A common misconception is that falls must happen inside a business for the victim to legally press charges. However, slip-and-fall accidents may also occur outside of a supermarket. Whether spilled liquid or an icy parking lot causes slip and falls, a business is typically liable if an accident happens anywhere on this company's property.
Severity of injuries
Some people believe you can only pursue legal action after slip-and-fall accidents when their injuries are severe. That said, definitions of severe trauma can and often do vary from person to person. Generally, any injury causing you to take time off work or visit your doctor could be worth suing a supermarket over.
Being a customer isn't a requirement
It's understandable to believe you must be a paying customer to sue a supermarket or other business where your slip-and-fall injury occurred. But that's not the case. Even non-paying customers have the right to pursue legal action against a business where their injury or injuries occurred. That's because this type of injury focuses on whether or not a business is negligent and not whether or not you were a customer at the time of your injury.
Companies and their employees have considerable responsibilities to follow. One vital responsibility of a business is keeping it safe for employees, customers and others. If a supermarket's negligence led to you falling, considering the pursuit of legal action might be a worthwhile endeavor.]]>