Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. Cleveland Personal Injury Lawyer | Bashein & Bashein 2021-07-21T18:14:03Z WordPress On Behalf of Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[Riding a motorcycle is how many times more dangerous than a car?]]> 2021-07-21T18:14:03Z 2021-07-21T18:14:03Z Fatalities per mile driven On the whole, cars often appear more dangerous, when looking at the stats. For instance, you may have heard that between 36,000 and 40,000 people usually pass away annually in all auto accidents. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that just over 5,000 motorcyclists lost their lives in 2019. That’s eight times fewer deaths, which seems to suggest that motorcycles are actually fairly safe. The problem is clear, though, if you simply count how many cars you see on the road and compare it with how many motorcycles you see. There are vastly more cars and trucks, and their drivers cover far more miles. Therefore, the only way to really compare the level of risk is to see how many people lost their lives in cars per mile driven, and then you can compare that to how many motorcyclists passed away. This evens the statistics up nicely. When you do it, though, you’ll find that motorcycle fatalities happen 27 times as often as fatalities in other vehicles. That’s not a typo, unfortunately. Double or triple the risk would be concerning enough, but 27 times is astounding, especially when you remember that you can’t always protect yourself from other negligent drivers. This stat doesn’t reflect poorly on riders, but on the drivers they share the road with.

Knowing your rights

Riding carries risks. If you get seriously injured or lose a loved one, it’s imperative that you know your rights.]]>
On Behalf of Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[3 kinds of jobs that could cause repetitive strain injuries]]> 2021-07-09T16:37:39Z 2021-07-09T16:37:39Z Repetitive strain injuries can affect your quality of life and eventually your ability to keep doing your job. Obviously, factory workers who perform the same function every 15 seconds for eight hours a day or longer are at risk of repetitive strain injuries. There are many other professions with higher-than-average risk for repetitive strain injuries, including the three common professions below.

Commercial driving

If you have to hold your hands and arms in the same position all day, you will invariably grow tired. Truck drivers can develop repetitive strain injuries in their hands from gripping the steering wheel. They can also develop injuries in the lower back from standing all day or strain and their legs from pressing the pedals. Even loading and unloading their trailers can contribute to repetitive strain injuries.

Culinary careers

Working in a restaurant kitchen can be a rewarding career, but it can also do a lot of damage to the human body. In addition to the constant risk for burns and cuts, as well as possible allergic reactions to food ingredients, professionals who chop, knead and roast all day may develop repetitive motion injuries that limit their strength, flexibility or endurance for the tasks that are so crucial to their function in the kitchen.

Office work

Ironically, a profession often considered to be among the safest has one of the highest rates of repetitive strain injuries reported. Workers often spend long hours holding telephones, interacting with computers or typing, all of which can lead to eye strain and repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive strain injuries often require that people shift their job responsibilities, take breaks or even pursue a new career path altogether. Some people may even need surgery to reduce their symptoms. Workers' compensation benefits can help cover medical costs and other expenses, like lost wages, related to workplace injuries.  ]]>
On Behalf of Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[Do you know what injury risks workers in your industry or job face?]]> 2021-05-28T00:00:12Z 2021-05-28T00:00:12Z run a high risk of suffering an illness or injury on the job, they don't make it on the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) list of the most deadly roles in the U.S. There are some inherent dangers associated with all professions, though. Fortunately, labor officials require most employers to keep track of the injury risks workers face, no matter the industry or job. This data can prove valuable to you as you look to learn ways to keep yourself safe at work.

What are the top 3 most dangerous jobs in the U.S.?

The most recent BLS data shows that logging is the most dangerous industry anyone can work in. Only 53,600 individuals worked full-time in the logging industry in 2018, yet 97.6 per 100,000 workers suffered fatal injuries on the job that year. That's a significant injury risk considering how logging workers receive, on average $40,650 in annual pay. Fishing is the industry with the second-highest workplace fatal injury rate. It only employs 520 workers nationwide, yet it has a 77.4 per 100,000 full-time worker job fatality rate. Employees in this industry make an average of $28,310 per year. Aviation workers have the third-highest workplace fatality rate of all industries. There are more than 84,070 workers employed in this profession, and its employees earn, on average, $137,330 each year. The fatal injury rate in this industry is 58.9 per 100,000 full-time workers each year.

What injuries are most common in your workplace?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration maintains what it refers to as its "300 log". It lists various professions, and the corresponding injury risks its employees face. The federal agency populates the list from employer injury reports. OSHA requires all employers with 10 or more employees to track injury incidents, including:
  • Where it occurred
  • What work-related task an employee was doing at the time it happened
  • Whether a worker's use of certain equipment might have caused the incident
  • How much leave an employee had to take following the workplace accident

Steps to take if you get hurt at work

You'll need to take two steps immediately following any workplace accident. You'll need to tell your employer about your injury incident and see a doctor. Your employer should advise you of the steps you need to take once you report your incident. You may want to consult with an attorney if they're not forthcoming in doing so.]]>
On Behalf of Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[2 kinds of injuries that could end your factory work career]]> 2021-05-21T21:20:54Z 2021-05-21T21:20:54Z Factories are full of risk for traumatic injuries Whether you paint finished products, weld components together, operate a forklift or feed materials into a press, the machinery you encounter on the job could cause severe injury. Mistakes that you or other workers make on the job, as well as malfunctions or maintenance issues, could lead to a serious traumatic injury. Everything from conveyor belts to transportation equipment can cause traumatic injuries like brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, amputations and penetrating traumas. Crushing injuries can also occur if a worker has to reach or climb inside a piece of equipment to extract something or perform repairs.

Even if you never get hurt, you could still develop a medical condition

Long-term work in a factory could result in you developing a medical condition that limits your future ability to work. Factories can have loud noises, and hearing damage might make it unsafe for you to continue the same career path. You might also develop respiratory issues because of chemical exposure on the job. Even more common is the risk for repetitive stress injuries caused by doing the same work tasks over and over, day after day. Medical conditions that someone acquires because of their work may slowly worsen over time and create a long-term limitation on what job functions that person can perform. Workers' compensation benefits can cover medical costs and also help workers pay their bills when they need time off of work to recover.]]>
On Behalf of Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[What happens when you can’t do the same work after an injury?]]> 2021-05-11T18:42:51Z 2021-05-11T18:36:44Z Ohio workers' compensation protect those who can't earn the same wage after an injury or work required medical condition?

Workers can qualify for permanent total or permanent partial disability

Disability benefits through workers' compensation replace some of the wages of worker would have earned. Temporary disability benefits will cover missed wages during someone's medical leave, but those benefits stop when the doctor overseeing the treatment declares that the patient can go back to work. When a worker cannot go back to work or can't do the same skilled tasks they once did, permanent disability benefits may help. Permanent total disability is only available to those who cannot work at all anymore. Permanent partial disability benefits apply to those who can't find the same work because they are incapable of doing the same work they once did. Permanent partial disability benefits will cover some of your lost wages and can help compensate those whose earning potential decreases after an injury on the job. Connecting with these benefits usually requires demonstrating your need through medical and work records.]]>
On Behalf of Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[Why do people overlook the severe risk posed by driving?]]> 2021-05-05T22:50:02Z 2021-05-05T22:49:51Z 40,000 people die each year in traffic accidents. There are hundreds of thousands of other accidents resulting in injuries of varying severity -- everything from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering brain and spinal cord injuries. Why do we continue to drive as much as we do? Almost no one realistically thinks about swearing off driving and staying off of the road. If 40,000 people died from some other clear cause, people would express severe concern about engaging in that activity, but driving doesn’t get the same treatment.

Someone else’s problem

The biggest reason is just that people tend to think of car accidents as someone else’s problem. Until it happens to them, they assume that it will not. This doesn’t mean that they don’t know it’s a risk. They do. They just trust that they can drive safely and that they can avoid accidents. And, for those who have been doing so for years, this seems to be proof that they’re right.

You only control so much

The problem, though, is that you can only control so much. You may feel like you can drive well enough to avoid a crash, but the drivers around you are still going to be inexperienced, reckless, impaired or distracted. You should strive to drive as safely as possible, but you also have to remember that someone else can seriously injury you in an accident. Every time you drive, they have some level of control over the outcome of your trip.

What should you do next?

Driving feels safe, but it only takes one crash for that whole illusion to be shattered. By the time you understand the risk, it’s too late to avoid it. After someone else causes extensive injuries, make sure you know what legal options you have to seek compensation.  ]]>
On Behalf of Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[What damages can be claimed in a wrongful death claim?]]> 2021-04-27T13:16:10Z 2021-04-27T13:16:03Z A loved one's unexpected passing is likely to cause you tremendous heartache, as well as significant financial strain. This is particularly true when the death is due to the negligent actions of another party, like when a loved one is killed in a car wreck or some other kind of accident. In those kinds of situations, it is not uncommon for the victim's survivors to file a wrongful death claim for the damages that have been done to them.

What are damages in a civil lawsuit?

Damages are essentially a type of monetary settlement that a judge or jury can award to an aggrieved party in a civil case. The purpose of damages is to restore an individual or their surviving loved ones to the financial position they enjoyed before an incident occurred. 

What are compensatory damages?

The vast majority of damages awarded in such lawsuits are considered compensatory, meaning that they are designed to cover a known loss or financial burden on the survivors. Compensatory damages may cover such expenses as: 
  • Funeral expenses for the deceased
  • Burial expenses for the deceased
  • The lost earnings the deceased would have brought to the family
  • The value of the lost services the deceased would have provided their family members
Some states allow the surviving family members to make a claim for the loss of their loved one's companionship and emotional support, as well.

What are punitive damages?

When someone dies because another party's actions were wanton, willful and deliberate, the court may impose additional, punitive damages on the defendant. These are basically designed to act as a financial deterrent to anybody who might be tempted to disregard another person's safety in a similar way.

How can you pursue a wrongful death claim?

Grieving your loved one's loss is inevitable, but you shouldn't have to also struggle financially because of someone's negligence. A wrongful death action can help you put that burden where it belongs: Squarely on the shoulders of the person who caused your loved one's early death. ]]>
On Behalf of Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[Stay safer in a roadway work zone with these tips]]> 2021-04-22T21:18:53Z 2021-04-22T21:18:52Z Construction workers have a right to be safe on the job, but how can we keep them safe? Construction sites should have safety standards in place to help prevent accidents. Sites should:
  • Have posted signs in hazardous areas
  • Use traffic control signs or devices that meet the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices requirements
  • Use flaggers if and when needed to control traffic
  • Use accident prevention tags to warn employees about different hazards
Individual workers can also help themselves by:
  • Paying close attention to what’s going on around them
  • Following safety protocols for the work area
  • Wearing the appropriate safety attire to work in the field
Those who are working around heavy equipment should be sure to communicate with the drivers, so that they know who is around them. Never stand under cranes or lifted items, because they could fall or cause an accident during a malfunction. Employers should take steps to make sure that all people working in the construction zone have the appropriate training to do their jobs. They also need safety training, so that they are acting safely on the roadways.

Work zones are dangerous, but you can take steps to stay safe

Anyone working in a construction zone needs to take steps to be safe. If you’re working and notice a hazard, make sure that the people around you know about it. If there is a vehicle approaching that will enter your space, get out of the way and use your radio system to alert others. Being aware of your surroundings is one of the best things you can do to stay safe and to help others avoid injury. If you are hurt, then remember to report your injury to get support with workers’ compensation.]]>
by Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[How to prevent a deadly trench collapse]]> 2021-04-21T18:49:53Z 2021-04-22T13:00:57Z supervisors must also remember:
  • Competent person: OSHA standards require that someone deemed to be a competent person inspect the trench daily or as conditions change to ensure any hazard has been identified and eliminated. The competent person is one who can identify hazards that either currently exist or predict ones that might soon become a reality.
  • Entry and exit points: All excavated soil and heavy machinery must be stored away from the trench edges. Additionally, ladders and other emergency access points must be spaced at regular intervals to allow workers to get out of danger.
  • Protective systems: Based on the size of the trench, the type of soil and numerous other factors, workers can choose to implement several different types of protective systems. Most often, engineers will select either sloping, shoring or shielding. Sloping entails cutting back a trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. Shoring is the addition of supports to strengthen the trench. Shielding generally entails the use of a “trench box” or other protective structure to prevent soil cave-ins.
A trench collapse can suddenly drop several tons of rock and soil atop workers. Workers can be crushed, trapped and suffocated in an instant. It is critical that supervisors identify hazards and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent fatal work accidents.]]>
by Bashein & Bashein Company, L.P.A. <![CDATA[4 common causes of scaffolding accidents]]> 2021-04-21T17:08:29Z 2021-04-21T17:08:29Z scaffolding accidents are common on construction sites for many reasons, including:
  • Lack of stable ground: In the initial planning phase, flat, stable ground must be chosen for the construction of the scaffolding. Unfortunately, stable ground might be in short supply on an active construction site. If it is not on a stable surface, the scaffolding could tip over either knocking the workers from the top or collapsing altogether.
  • Faulty materials: The stability of the scaffolding relies on the materials used. Whether it is weak planking, metal fatigue or a failure at attachment points, parts failure can lead to serious falls and injuries.
  • Inadequate fall protection: Not only should the scaffolding have a safety rail surrounding the work platform, all workers should be wearing safety harnesses and other fall protection. Supervisors need to provide adequate training and equipment to keep their workers safe.
  • Changing weather conditions: In many ways, a worksite is dependent on weather conditions for safety. Rain, snow or heavy wind can dramatically impact the safety and stability of a scaffolding.
A scaffolding collapse or a fall from the erected structure can result in numerous devastating injuries. Workers can suffer head trauma, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, broken bones, crush injuries or amputation. In severe instances, the fall can prove fatal. If you were injured or you have lost a loved one in a construction accident, it is crucial that you discuss your situation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.]]>