Canton, Ohio, Workers' Compensation Blog

Current rate of fatal work accidents

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates posted in workers' compensation on Friday, August 10, 2018.

It is clear that certain industries pose an increased risk for injuries and illnesses for employees. For these employees, it is likely understandable when a worker suffers and injury or illness; however, the reality is that any type of worker in any type of work environment could suffer an injury or illness related to the workplace. In some cases, these incidents could be severe, causing a worker to be killed immediately or shortly after suffering a workplace injury or illness.

Based on current data, it was found that more than 5,000 workers in the U.S. were killed due to a workplace incident in 20016. This equates to 14 workers a day. When compared from the data collected the year prior, this was a 7 percent increase, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What is black lung disease?

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates posted in workplace illness on Friday, August 3, 2018.

As a previous post discussed, some employees in Ohio and elsewhere are faced with serious dangers in the workplace. One of these is an occupational illness. For coal miners, this means working in an environment that could be detrimental to one's health. Over time, a miner could develop an illness known as black lung disease. If such a diagnosis occurs, a worker could need a lot of medical attention, even missing work for an extended period of time.

What is black lung disease? This is an occupational disease that impacts coal miners. When coal mine dust is repeatedly breathed in over time, this can cause fibrosis of the lungs. In other words, scar tissue occurs throughout the lungs, which ultimately leads to the development of black lung disease.

Surge in black lung disease for coal miners in central Appalachia

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates posted in workplace illness on Friday, July 27, 2018.

Whether it is the first day on the job or a position you have held for decades, if the industry you work in carries with it health risks, it is important for employees in Ohio and elsewhere to be aware of this situation. This means understanding ways to reduce the risks of an occupational disease, as well as the signs and symptoms associated with these potential diseases. This can help a worker get the medical attention they need in a timely manner, and it can help a worker seek workers' compensation benefits for missing work while he or she is recuperating.

Based on the findings on a new study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and published in the American Journal of Public Health, it was found that there is recent surge in black lung disease cases concentrated among the coal miners working in central Appalachia. Researchers found that the rate of black lung disease among experienced coal miners in this area are the highest they have ever seen in the past quarter of a century.

Should you apply for SSDI or SSI benefits?

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

If you are unable to work and earn a living to support your Ohio family to an injury or a serious illness, you could be eligible for benefits through the Social Security Administration. However, there are different types of disability support, and it is important to understand the differences between them. They are Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance.

There are strict eligibility requirements for both types of disability payments. If you believe you have a rightful claim, it is beneficial to know which one is the right option for you. Some disability applicants find it beneficial to seek help regarding the most beneficial course of action for them.

The basics of workers' compensation

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates posted in workers' compensation on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

Going to work is a routine occurrence for most residents in Ohio and elsewhere. However, it is not one that is taken lightly or for granted in some situations. Take, for example, those employed in the construction industry. These workers complete large and dangerous projects. Because they are faced with risks and dangers on-the-job, it is possible to suffer a serious workplace injury. Such a situation could cause a worker to require significant medical attention. The worker may even have to take time off the job in order to recover.

Although it is a tough predicament to be in, injured workers have options available to them. Workers' compensation benefits can be extremely valuable for injured workers. To begin, workers' compensation insurance is a state-mandated program that is designed to pay employees that are injured or disabled in connection to their line of work. This means that Ohio worker's injured on-the-job may be able to seek these benefits.

What are the symptoms of workplace depression?

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates posted in workplace illness on Friday, July 13, 2018.

Admit it, work can get stressful from time to time. Whether it's because of the season, a major project nearing completion or added tasks to your already busy workload, stress can get overwhelming in the workplace. In fact, it can get to such a point that anxiety and even depression sets in. Work-related depression can be a serious situation. Even when treated, this can significantly impact a person's ability to lead a normal life.

Workplace depression can be debilitating, causing some workers to require time away from work to address this illness. There are some common signs and symptoms of this illness. This includes persistent sad, anxious or empty mood. It can also impact a person's sleep pattern, casing them to sleep too little, sleep too much or have early morning awakenings. A person's appetite can also be impacted, resulting in weight loss or weight gain depending on whether a person is eating more or less because of this mental health illness.

Helping you recover workers' compensation benefits

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates posted in workplace illness on Thursday, July 5, 2018.

While no workplace is perfect, a work environment should not be the cause of a serious health problem. Unfortunately, the conditions of a workplace can contribute to a work-related illness. Whether it takes weeks, moths or even years to set in, a workplace illness can be a very serious situation. An employee might require much medical treatment, resulting in missed work. Such a situation can impact a person's quality of life and even the ability to return to his or her normal life once treatment is complete.

A serious illness can disrupt a person's life. When this illness is derived from a workplace condition, this can be a very shocking and unexpected situation. At Brian, Zwick, Stone & Associates, our attorneys understand how challenging this situation can be. Our law firm also understands how devastating this matter can be. Therefore, we take the time to ensure our clients in the Canton area understand their rights and options.

Work-related depression and recovering workers' compensation

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates posted in workplace illness on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.

We all get stressed out from time to time. Maybe it's a broken vehicle, a major project at work, a college final, a baby on the way or a marriage ending. No matter what the event is, stress has the tendency of growing and taking over one's life if they do not properly address the stress they are dealing with. Take work-related stress for example. This can easily cause a worker to deal with ongoing anxiety if nothing is changed in the work environment. Once anxiety sets in, and nothing is done to better the issue, a worker might develop work-related depression.

When depression is severe, it can significantly impact a person's life. It can be difficult to handle day-to-day tasks, even compromising a person's ability to complete work tasks entirely. Thus, worker's compensation benefits are often explored when a worker in Ohio is battling this mental illness.

Health care workers and the increased chance of a work injury

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.

If you are a health care worker in Ohio, you understand there are certain risks involved with this specific type of occupation. Doctors, nurses, technicians and others involved with the care and health of others often suffer injuries and face threats to their own safety and well-being while at work.

Regardless of your specific role in the health care industry, you have the right to a reasonable expectation of safety in your job. After suffering an injury while on the job, you are entitled to certain benefits through your employer's workers' compensation insurance. You may find it beneficial to take steps to protect your interests and learn more about your rights.

What are the four most common types of construction accidents?

On behalf of Brian, Zwick, Marchisio, Stone & Associates posted in construction workers' accidents on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Everything around us is constantly improving. Improvements can be seen in technology, the Internet, automobiles and even the way we do things. And much like the things we used on a daily basis, the roads we drive on and buildings we go into are being built, repaired and enhanced. This results in an ever-increasing amount of construction projects going on in Ohio and other states across the nation.

While construction projects are necessary in society, they are also the cause of many risks faced by workers every year. The construction industry is inherently dangerous, and construction workers are faced with many dangers each and every day they go to work. These dangerous could result in an accident occurring, causing a worker to suffer a serious injury.