You come to work, punch in your timecard and…your safety is suddenly at risk? CNN recently compiled a list of the top 10 most dangerous jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here’s what they found:

1. Fisherman: TV shows like Deadliest Catch have certainly raised awareness about the harsh conditions that many fishermen work in. Part of this risk is due to working on the water, where Mother Nature reigns supreme. For every 100,000 fishermen, 121 will be killed on the job. Being thrown around on the boat, especially during storms, can also result in long-term injuries.
2. Logger: The fact that loggers make the list probably isn’t surprising, since most of their work involves heavy trees and chainsaws. Although most loggers are now protected in a cab, the industry is still a dangerous one.
3. Airline Pilot: Alaska is responsible for many of the fatalities among pilots. Inexperienced pilots or those flying older planes sometimes cannot combat Alaska’s challenging weather conditions and terrain.
4. Sanitation Worker: Although this listing might surprise some, sanitation workers often interact with dangerous chemicals, machines designed to compress trash or other materials and have increased exposure to traffic and the elements due to hopping on and off trucks.
5. Roofer: Falls post the greatest danger to roofers, but they also have an increased likelihood of injuries from fire, electric shock or heavy machinery, making this one of the most dangerous careers out there.
6. Iron Worker: Structural collapses is one of the most common dangers iron workers face, as well as falls and electrocutions from contacts with power lines. Their fatality rate per 100,000 workers is 26.9.
7. Farmer/Rancher: As you might guess, heavy machinery and vehicles are to blame for most fatalities in these fields. However, a significant amount of injuries and deaths are due to being kicked or thrown from horses.
8. Truckers/Deliverymen: In 2011, 759 truckers died while on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. One of the challenges for this industry is that the trucks must be in tip-top shape and drivers must receive adequate sleep and rest. In the hustle and bustle of shipping, sometimes corners are cut, putting drivers in a dangerous position.
9. Electrical Power Line Repairmen: Falls and electrocution are the most likely suspects for these fatalities. Often the lines are worked on while “hot,” so that service is not interrupted and sometimes protective apparel and equipment fails. Unpredictable placement of lines after storms is also a major hazard.
10. Taxi Drivers: Obviously with the amount of time taxi drivers spend on the road their risk of car accident is significantly increased, taxi drivers are also at the mercy of their passengers.  According to CNN, as crime rates lower, so do fatalities among cab drivers.

    See your job listed?
    If you see your job on this list, you may have an increased chance of being injured at work. Make sure you know how to file a worker’s compensation claim.

If you were injured on the job, or someone you love was killed in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to compensation under the law. Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-866-900-7078 for a free evaluation of your case.

A torrent of rain in the NC Mountains caused a mudslide that claimed one worker’s life, earlier this May.

He was a husband and the father of three young children. And he was only 32 years old.

The worker was inspecting damage done to the rails by an earlier mudslide, near Black Mountain, when a second slide came through, trapping and killing him.

His coworker, who was inside their specialized truck at the time, survived – even though the truck was derailed. He then called for help and was rescued.

Safety Investigation:
As is standard policy for events such as these, the Federal Railroad Administration and the man’s employer are currently investigating the events. The NC Department of Transportation is also currently looking into it.

According to the Smoky Mountain News, the report on the investigation’s findings could take as much as a year to finalize – at which point the penalties can be enforced if applicable.

If a NC worker is killed while on the job, or as a result of a job, his or her family may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. These could include:
- Up to 500 weeks of compensation
- $10,000 in funeral expenses
- Reimbursement of medical expenses

But workers’ compensation claims can be a difficult and confusing path to forge. That’s why it may be important to have an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side.

At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we have an entire team devoted to NC workers’ compensation claims – including three North Carolina Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialists! Contact us for a free case evaluation today.

The NC Department of Labor (NC DOL) reported that 35 employees were killed on the job last year, but the National Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH) says that number isn’t accurate.

In their late-April report, “North Carolina Workers Dying for a Job,” NCOSH says that they estimate that number to be closer to 129 – more than 3 times what NC DOL reported.

A report by WRAL says that the difference in the reported numbers is mainly because the state doesn’t count deaths due to motor vehicle accidents, workplace violence or the self-employed.

The federal audit & the outcome
The U.S. Labor Department audited North Carolina in 2010, and found that that the state “downplayed serious safety problems, issued weak fines to violators and failed to properly handle whistleblower complaints” according to the Charlotte Observer.

While the numbers are down from the previous year (53 reported by the NC DOL and 148 reported by the NCOSH for 2011), the NCOSH still does not believe the standards are strict enough.

“Clearly the absolute number of deaths has gone down…,” said NCOSH Executive Director Tom O’Connor, who wrote the report. “But there are still way too many people dying in easily preventable deaths”

Was your loved one killed at work?
If you were injured on the job, or a family member was killed at work, you may qualify for a workers’ compensation claim.

Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-866-900-7078 for a free evaluation of your case and to find out how one of our North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers may be able to help you.

One of the most common types of accidents is descriptively referred to as a “slip and fall.” As the title suggests, these are accidents that occur when a surface, or object, causes someone to lose their footing. 

When you’ve been the victim of a slip and fall accident at work, lost wages, long-term injuries and lost days at work are just a few of the impacts from your accident. These impacts can drastically and suddenly alter your quality of life.

Statistics on slip and falls (according to the National Floor Safety Institute)

• Although deaths resulting from slip and fall accidents are equally spread between men and women, women are much more likely to experience a slip and fall accident.
• Most emergency room visits every year are the result of a fall of some sort, and over 1 million ER visits every single year are the result of slip and falls.
• Similarly, slip and fall accidents actually make up the biggest chunk of workers’ compensation claims.
• Slip and falls are the most common occupational injury for younger workers (ages 15-24).

After the fall
Serious injuries such as fractures or concussions could result from a slip and fall accident at work. And many times the symptoms will not appear immediately.

Many people feel like they have to return to work quickly in order to recoup their wages and get back on track financially, but if you’ve hurt yourself at work, you should consider a workers’ compensation claim.

Don’t risk making your injury worse by going back to work too soon or by not evaluating a long-term treatment plan for your pain. A NC workers’ compensation attorney may be able to get you the help you need. Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-866-900-7078.

It takes a special person to join the healthcare industry. They often undergo long hours and many years of training for a position that can be “less than glamorous.” Not to mention the emotional and physical strains these vital positions demand.

How the injuries occur:
Many people are unaware of the increased injury risks that people in this sector face. During the course of a normal work shift, many nurses and other healthcare employees working with various pieces of machinery are standing for long periods of time, which can take a toll on their legs, back and feet.

Nurses often assist with moving patients between different beds or areas of the hospital, which can cause severe strain. Since nursing work is very physical in nature, this field experiences extremely high numbers of work-related injuries.

In emergency situations, nurses often exceed normal lifting recommendations. In the heat of the moment, these employees want to serve their patients and assist with life-saving efforts, but, in the long run, these actions can result in injuries for the nurse.

The awkward positions required to complete many of the tasks in nursing are also to blame for many problems.

The injuries sustained:
Musculoskeletal injuries or disorders that cause pain to muscles and tendons are the most common injuries, – making up 41% of injuries from the healthcare fields, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

These injuries are often exacerbated through the course of a normal working shift after the injury has occurred. The strain from these problems can last for many months after the initial incident, making it difficult, not only complete the requirements of the job, but to function in everyday life. Back pain can be especially serious, requiring long-term treatment and possibly even surgery to correct the problem.

If you’ve been injured:
Workplace injuries in the healthcare sector are serious. If you’ve been injured, contact an experienced attorney to evaluate your case.

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin may have the experience you need. Our team of workers’ compensation attorneys includes three Board Certified Specialists in North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law. Don’t risk your future. Reach out today.

Working with heavy machinery in a variety of situations makes construction a dangerous work environment. And those who get hurt on the job could face lost work time, lost wages and long recovery-periods with high medical bills. Below are several leading causes of construction accidents.

Falls
Any time a job involves heights, the risk for accidents immediately increases. Although safety protocols should be used at every worksite, falls can, and do, happen. Numerous injuries, such as broken bones or fractures, are common among fall victims. To reduce the risk of falls, be sure to use portable ladders appropriately and make sure any scaffolding is solidly constructed.

Electrical Problems/Wiring
Proper protection is mandatory for any employee working near an electrical unit, but incidents can still happen – especially if there’s been a storm or other weather event that jostled electrical wiring or boxes. Frequent contact with power lines or extension cords increases the risk, too. Each situation should be carefully evaluated prior to any employee working directly with electrical conductors.

Trenching Projects
When working on any project that involves digging, most people expect that the ground caving in is the leading cause of accidents. However, there are other risk factors at play that can endanger employees, including toxic fumes or lack of oxygen. Employees are also at risk of falling underneath or bumping into dangerous machines or liquid materials. Working in teams and implementing proper safety protocol can reduce the overall danger in these areas.

Hit By Heavy Equipment or Objects
In a construction site where heavy-duty vehicles are constantly moving heavy materials such as walls, stones or trees, movements can be difficult to predict and employees are sometimes the victims. Although hardhats and other safety precautions, like steel-toed boots are often required on site, they may not help if a bolder rolls and lands on you. Head injuries are particularly dangerous, but other exposed limbs, like arms or legs, can be injured in an instant when the workplace isn’t safe. The worksite supervisor should ensure that all materials in danger of falling or moving have been removed before employees begin a project.

Injured on a construction site?
Workers’ compensation claims are very common in the construction industry. If you were injured on the job, or someone you love was killed in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to compensation under the law. Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-866-900-7078 for a free evaluation of your case.

Early in April, a Wake County school bus driver was taken to the hospital for injuries received after being hit by a car that ran through a stop sign at Wilmington Street and Pecan Road in Raleigh, North Carolina, according to a report by WRAL. Fortunately, no children were on board.

Bus drivers for county school systems have the ever-important task of keeping their passengers, and themselves, safe. When someone is injured in a car or truck accident while on the job, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation. And, if the accident was not their fault, they may have grounds for a personal injury claim as well. Fault is not typically a factor for workers’ compensation.

If you’ve been injured at work, you may have a personal injury case (in addition to your workers’ compensation claim) if:

1. Your injuries/damages sustained a work were the result of a defective product.
2. A third party (meaning a person who is not also employed with your company) is responsible for your accident.
3. Under certain circumstances, a parent corporation might be held liable for negligent action of its subsidiaries.

However, there may be other extenuating circumstances that could result in a basis for a personal injury claim, in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. If you’ve been injured at work, you may need an attorney to fight on your behalf, for all the benefits you may need.

If you’ve been injured at work, you need to protect all of your rights. Contact the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin right now for a free and confidential case evaluation. One of our three NC Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialists may be able to help you.

A North Carolina doctor is one of five people confirmed dead after a plane crashed in Thomson Georgia at around 8 p.m. on February 20 according to an article from WRAL. There were seven total people on board and the only two survivors were the pilot and another male passenger.

The five people dead all had connections to a clinic in Augusta, Georgia. Among them were a surgeon, two ultrasound technicians, a nurse and a secretary. The surgeon was a regular traveler to the  clinic in Augusta. The passengers were travelling for work when the plane crashed.

The plane was forced to abort its landing for an unknown reason and crashed into a sixty foot utility pole shortly after. The pole broke one of the wings and caused a fuel leak which ignited the plane. The plane eventually crash landed in a field about a mile away from the airport.

Work and work related travel can be dangerous even in professions that may not seem so. There can be dangers in any work place because accidents can happen any anytime.

It is important to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney if you have been injured in a work related accident because you may be entitled to compensation due to your injuries.

If you have been injured in an accident at, or traveling to work, please call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-866-900-7078 for a free evaluation of your case and to find out how our North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers may be able to help you.

If you were seriously injured on the job, you may believe that you should sue your employer in court to obtain additional compensation for your pain and suffering from your injury. However, as North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Barry Jennings explains, this may not be an option.

North Carolina workers’ compensation laws limit your ability to sue your employer in civil court if you are injured on the job. Workers’ compensation law was originally designed to provide a direct route for employees who are injured on the job to receive compensation for their medical treatment and lost wages.

The trade off under North Carolina workers’ compensation law is that employers are, generally speaking, not responsible for damages other than those allowed under the workers’ compensation law.

Though North Carolina workers’ compensation law limits a worker’s ability to sue an employer in civil court, there is an exception. Workers who can show that they were injured on the job because their employer’s conduct in causing their injury rose to the level of an intentional act may be able to sue for damages in civil court.

A qualified North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer can evaluate your case and let you know how the law applies to your particular circumstances and let you know what rights you may have.

North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

If you have questions about whether you can pursue a claim against an employer for an injury, you should consider contacting a North Carolina worker’s compensation lawyer, who can advise you of your legal rights. Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-866-900-7078 for a free evaluation of your case and to find out if one of our North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers may be able to help you get fight for the compensation that you may deserve.

Under North Carolina law, if you are injured on the job and your employer agrees to provide workers’ compensation benefits for your injury then your employer and their insurance carrier generally have the initial right to choose the physician who will treat your injuries. As North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Barry Jennings explains, even though your employer or insurance carrier may select your doctor, it is in their best interest for you to get the best medical care possible.

However, if you feel that your employer sent you to a doctor that did not give you the best medical care, then you should consider contacting a North Carolina Workers’ Compensation lawyer.

As an injured worker, you have the right to request to be provided with treatment from a different physician. North Carolina law allows you to petition the North Carolina Industrial Commission to obtain further treatment if the employer and their insurance carrier will not agree. Additionally, if you are released by the doctor with an impairment rating, North Carolina law allows you to request a second opinion evaluation on that rating to be paid for by the employer and their insurance carrier.

North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

If you feel that the doctor your employer or the insurance company has provided for your workers’ compensation claim is not providing you the best care, you may need to speak with a North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer. Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-866-900-7078 for a free evaluation of your case. Representatives are also available to offer you a free evaluation if you have been injured on the job and want to explore your legal rights.