It is easy to take our eye health for granted as, for most of us, we use them normally without hindrance. However, there are many occupations that pose particular hazards to the eye. Every year, approximately 300,000 Americans go to the emergency room for eye-related injuries. Of these injuries, 40% are work related. These may range from temporary eye-strain to blinding trauma. Retinal detachment, for instance, can happen when a blunt object hits the eye, causing the retina to partially or totally detach from the underlying surface at the back of the eyeball. When a serious injury like this occurs, it is best to see a retinal specialist  in California immediately. This, however,  is just one example.Read on to learn more about the different kinds of eye injuries and protecting your eyes in the work place.

Some of the most common jobs where work-related eye injuries occur are welding, construction and chemical work. The dangers you need to be aware of include:

• Flying objects and shrapnel
• Tools
• Particles
• Chemicals

It is important that you observe all safety protocols at your workplace, and, your workplace in turn, needs to follow the guidelines set forth by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Eye protection is extremely important, as is use of engineering controls, work screens, and safety guards for your machinery. If you work in an environment that regularly poses dangers to your eyes, you may be wise to schedule regular checkups with a licensed ophthalmologist li or even an optometrist. Optometrists can treat most eye conditions that you may develop. If there is a serious concern, an optometrist may refer you to a Medical Doctor. You may need surgery. If this is the case, be sure to research the reviews of any specialist you work with– before you commit to a procedure. Start researching immediately, however, because eye injuries and conditions often worsen rapidly without treatment.

If you are already in contact with an ophthalmologist, speak to him or her about the dangers your workplace poses to your eye. Also speak to your employer if you think your workplace can take more preventative measures. You have a right to report any sub-standard conditions to OSHA without fear of punishment. An eye injury can lead to lost wages when you take time off work or worse, it can lead to lost vision. Make sure that your workplace is safe for your vision.

 

If you or someone you know has sustained a nose injury due to domestic violence or a work accident, septoplasty may be an option and is quite popular in metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC. While some of the country’s top plastic surgeons reside in these cities, they may not always be accessible. Septoplasty surgery DC-based patients, for instance, may wish to enlist the services of the best plastic surgeons in DC. However, those surgeons may not accept a patient’s personal health insurance plan, and even if they do, if the nose injury is due to a work accident, a workers compensation insurance provider may provide a very finite list of doctors from which to choose. Septoplasty can therefore be tricky.

There are different kinds of nose surgery and these differences can determine whether an insurance provider is willing to pay for the procedure. The three kinds of nose surgeries are septoplasty, rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty.

• Septoplasty is meant to fix a deviated septum. The septum is the cartilage structure that separates the nasal passages. This structure is normally straight. However, severe trauma to the face and nose can misalign the septum which in turn affects one’s ability to breathe. If you notice difficulty breathing after getting hit in the nose, you would be wise to speak to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. That doctor may be able to help you or refer you to a surgeon who can perform septoplasty surgery.
• Rhinoplasty, unlike septoplasty is purely cosmetic. Perhaps your injury has affected the shape of your nose, though your breathing is normal. This is very rarely the case, but if it is– if your desire for surgery is purely aesthetic– you will not be covered by insurance for the procedure.
• Often the outer change in nasal structure is accompanied by an inner one. When this is the case, patients may desire septorhinoplasty, surgery designed to correct both the health and the appearance of the nose. Health insurance typically covers septoplasty only, to help with the deviated septum. However, sometimes a septoplasty procedure can incidentally make slight changes to the nose shape. In this case, you will be covered for septoplasty. Mind you, more often than not, septoplasty does not affect the nose’s outer appearance.

If you are interested in nose surgery following your accident, you would be wise to speak to a workers compensation attorney and determine what treatments are within your rights. All 50 United States have some form of workers compensation in place and most workers compensation lawyers work for free. It is always good to seek free professional advice and see if plastic surgery is an option, depending on your injury’s unique circumstances.

At the Safe at Work Coalition, we spend a lot of time explaining the benefits of obtaining workers compensation after an accident. We encourage our readers, when hurt at work, to reach out to personal injury lawyers like these workers compensation attorneys in Elizabeth NJ. Even if you do not plan to file a lawsuit, even if your employer is extremely helpful throughout the process, you would still be wise to speak with a reputable workers compensation lawyer in Elizabeth NJ or whatever your respective location. Doing so can help you fully understand your rights and options as an injured worker. Here are a few tips for hiring a workers compensation attorney to help you after an at-work incident.

1. Get references- whether seeking a Palm Beach, New York City, or Elizabeth NJ workers comp attorney, friends and family are a great way to start finding the help you need. If you know someone who has been hurt at work, talk to him and her about the legal representation. You may also go to online databases or your State Bar Association’s register. Be aware, however, that the qualifications that will earn an attorney a place in that register will vary state by state.
2. Look to credentials- Getting the credentials of your Elizabeth NJ workers compensation lawyer, Philadelphia lawyer– or Maryland lawyer– is crucial. Is your attorney, for instance, well reviewed online? Highly rated? Where is your attorney licensed to practice and what is his or her area of focus? Many lawyers are also respected professors. Some may have been published or featured as legal experts in digital and print media. These are all good signs of a competent lawyer. Also consider your attorney’s education, years of practice, and most importantly, success rate. An attorney’s resume means nothing without client satisfaction.
3. Ask the right questions- Is your Elizabeth NJ workers comp attorney or Dallas TX workers comp attorney assertive? Or will your lawyer act more as a legal guide? Who will work closely with the attorney on your case? What is your attorneys philosophy? Does your attorney work more with injured parties or defendants? All of these are questions that will help you determine if your prospective lawyer is right for you.
4. Examine the costs- Many workers compensation attorneys– like these workers compensation lawyers in Elizabeth NJ– work on a contingency basis, meaning they do not collect payment unless you do. The payment will be a small percentage of your compensation, half of which will be paid by you and half by your employer’s insurance provider. Furthermore, most workers compensation lawyers also offer free legal consultations. If your Elizabeth NJ workers comp lawyer or Cleveland OH workers comp lawyer makes you pay for the initial consultation, consider this a “red flag.”

 

For more information on hiring a workers compensation lawyer, we encourage you to read the “workplace policy section of our blog.” Whether you are faced with spousal abuse that affects your career, work injuries, or workplace violence, we are here to help. Every employee has the right to feel safe.

If you have been assaulted, been the victim of a work accident or have been subjected to some form of bodily harm due to another’s actions, you may be entitled to compensation and should speak to a personal injury lawyer to better understand your legal options. Most personal injury attorneys– from the car accident lawyers LA to the workers compensation lawyers in Palm Beach, FL– offer free case evaluations. Speaking to a lawyer can give you valuable information without costing you a penny. There are a few things you  should clarify.

1. To what coverage am I entitled?- Personal injury benefits may vary widely from case to case. For instance, say you sustain an eye injury at work in Palm Beach, FL, Los Angeles or Washington DC. A Palm Beach work injury attorney will likely that you are entitled to lost wage benefits and medical benefits. Under medical benefits you may be able to pay for treatment if your vision is damaged. However, the form of treatment you may receive can vary. Certain eye surgeries or glasses that can save your vision may be covered. However, other treatments like LASIK in Washington DC, Palm Beach, or other regions may be considered elective and likely will not be covered. Payments to a Washington DC allergist, Washington DC dermatologist, or any doctor anywhere can come out of pocket, depending on the type of treatment. Other treatments that may be deemed elective are cosmetic procedures such as botox in Washington DC. Although medical dermatology, such as burn treatment, should be covered, as well as DC asthma doctor visits for allergic reactions developed through your job.
2. Tell me about your contingency fee- Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis– meaning they do not collect payment unless they obtain a recovery for you. However, contingency fees may vary widely from place to place. Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles may charge 20% of the recovery, and a Palm Beach workers compensation attorney may charge 35%. It varies not only region to region, but firm to firm, so be sure to ask this question. Also note that oftentimes, only half of the contingency fee will come from your award, while the other half will come from the at-fault party’s insurer.
3. Have you handled cases similar to mine? Personal injury is a specific field, but there are many other smaller focuses within this area of legal practice. A Los Angeles car accident attorney, may not know much about what Car accident attorneys in Los Angeles do, or about malpractice suits against allergists in Washington DC. Even if your attorney works in a very specific area like a workers compensation lawyer in Palm Beach, your attorney may not have tried a case similar to yours, or may have more experience working with defendants than with claimants. It is best to ensure that your attorney has experience in matters similar to yours, working with injured clients if that is what you are.

These are only three of the questions one can ask one’s personal injury attorney. There are many other concerns, which we will continue to discuss on our blog. If you have been hurt due to assault or any other bodily harm and you were not at fault, you may be wise to speak to a personal injury attorney, and continue to read our blog for more advice.

OSHA provides many guidelines for protecting workers across America in all fields. However, it goes without saying that some careers are more dangerous than others. If you work installing or repairing candy vending machines in Maryland, for example, your profession is one of many that requires lifting heavy objects. Professions such as this can put you at risk for serious injury. These injuries can be sustained over time or happen all at once. Wherever this occurs, workers compensation stipulations should provide for your medical and lost wage benefits. You would be wise to speak with a qualified attorney, and ensure that you obtain everything to which you are entitled.

All states have workers compensation laws in place. However, the rules vary from state to state. A work accident lawyer in Elizabeth NJ will not give the same advice as West Palm Beach work injury compensation lawyer. However, in most instances, a work injury case evaluation is free, so even if your claims process appears straightforward, even if your place of business seems helpful, speaking with an attorney won’t hurt your wallet, and will help reassure you if you are making the right decision.

To continue with the example of candy vending machines in Maryland–or any other location for that matter– when working with any type of machinery, one would be wise to follow all electrical safety guidelines and double-check every action. Making a mistake with electricity, be it high or low voltage, can endanger one’s life and the lives of one’s co-workers. Electrician deaths–most at a fairly young age– account for seven percent of work-related deaths in the building trade. A fairly low voltage current can stop one’s heart, if the power to a line is not cut before one begins work on it.

Electrical energy is a powerful force. If you have been exposed to it without proper safety settings and precautions taken at your job, you would be wise to speak with a work accident lawyer in Elizabeth NJ, Maryland, or whatever your location. If you do pursue a claim or go to court, find a firm that works on a contingency basis. Most workers compensation law firms, like Franks, Koenig and Neuwelt in Palm Beach, FL, work on a contingency basis, which means they do not accept payment unless they obtain a recovery for you.

Many jobs require handling heavy electrical equipment. While they may pay well, it is important to follow safety guidelines to the letter. One false move can result in serious injury or loss of life for you or those around you. Of course, we are all human and are capable of errors. Thus it would be wise to know a reputable workers compensation attorney in your area.

It’s natural to be overwhelmed when you have been hurt at work. You’re dealing with physical– and likely emotional– pain, you may feel insecure in what you once deemed a safe environment, and you may worry about paying medical bills and meeting financial obligations while incapacitated. Luckily, you do not have to walk through this crisis alone. Here are some tips for handling your workers compensation claim:

Taking Immediate action:

As soon as you are hurt, talk to your employer about filing a claim and getting a medical exam. Your employer should help you through the process of an insurance claim, but often, helping you does not help your employer’s bottom line. That is why, time and again, we have advised consulting with a workers comp attorney like the Fort Pierce workers compensation lawyers at Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt. Many workers comp law offices work on a contingency basis so, in addition to the consultation, which should always be free, injured workers do not have to pay attorney fees unless they are paid. Even if your employers and insurance providers seem helpful, it doesn’t hurt to fully understand your rights and legal options, especially when you can speak with a lawyer for free.

Avoid Pitfalls:

Whether you consult with a workers compensation lawyer in West Palm Beach FL or a Fort Pierce workers compensation lawyer, an attorney will likely put you on the alert for certain tactics that insurers, employers, and even doctors’ offices will use to deter you from seeking treatment and compensation. Three common tricks are:

1. Sending you for a second opinion that favours the insurance provider and/or company
2. Telling you you have a pre-existing condition.
3. Telling you your case is closed

1. Second opinions:Your company and insurance claims adjuster designate a medical professional to assess you after a work accident or injury. Their continued business with this doctor often depends on how often the doctor says what they want to hear. The less financial burden the doctor places on the insurance provider, the better for them. Insurance providers are sure to send you to a doctor whom they believe is less likely to attribute your injury to a work accident. If the doctor does agree with this, the insurance provider will often send you to a second medical professional, who will tell you your injury did not stem from work.
2. Pre-existing conditions: If you fall at work and hurt your back and cannot walk the next day, the logical conclusion would be that you hurt your back due to an at-work accident. However, when you are sent to the doctor, they are likely to say that your injury is due to a pre-existing condition, that your back was injured years ago or that you developed the pain over time for unrelated reasons. If this happens to you, you would be wise to speak with a workers compensation lawyer in West Palm Beach or whatever your location.
3. Case Closed?: If you are able to see a doctor, and are promised the continued medical attention you deserve, you still need to be vigilant in ensuring that you get it. Do not assume that everyone will work with you and do as they’re supposed to do. Often injured workers will be scheduled for a certain number of doctor’s visits or follow-up exams, only to be told that their cases are closed and there is no need to visit the doctor again. This is usually a result of the doctor’s office’s reluctance to simply call the workers’ comp coordinator and obtain authorization to treat. It is important to be adamant about being seen. Talking to a workers compensation lawyer is a great way to make sure the care providers follow through with your arrangement.

We hope that the above guidelines will help you in pursuing your claim, so that you may care for yourself and thrive in spite of a work injury and a complicated system.

Your skin is, first and foremost, your protective layer from the environment. However, your skin itself needs protecting. Your workplace may, unbeknownst to you, be an unsafe environment for your skin. This can occur in all types of work environments to employees of all ages, and it is up to you to protect your skin at work.

Employees in manufacturing, construction and, food production are particularly susceptible to injuries and unpleasant skin conditions. These workers especially, would be wise to know the names of an expert dermatologist in Washington DC, or whatever their location, such as Dr. Tina West in Washington DC, who performs regular skin cancer screenings. Other employees who commonly experience skin damage and irritation are those involved in

• printing
• metal plating
• engine service
• landscaping
• farming
• forestry
• machine tool operation
• leather processing

If you work in these industries, or any industries where you are regularly exposed to chemicals, your employer is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) explaining the risks that come with exposure to each chemical, and the proper procedure if you come into contact with it. Please read this sheet carefully so you may fully understand the risks for allergic reactions, irritations, and skin cancer.

Rashes and Irritations

The most common work-related skin conditions are rashes and irritations, for which you may consult with your Washington DC dermatologist. These irritations commonly occur when workers are in frequent contact with chemicals and water, and soaps, which remove the natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry and chapped. Chapped skin is not only uncomfortable, it can lead to larger wounds and greater injury. Conversely, exposure to oils and greases at work can clog the pores, also irritating the skin or causing acne. There are, luckily, many options for acne treatment and skincare in Washington DC– including DC dermatologist Dr. Steven Rotter– and in most US regions.

Chemical and Temperature Burns

As we have discussed before, chemical burns are another common occupational hazard, which occur when we come into contact with strongly acidic or alkaline (basic) substances. Temperature burns are another common risk.

Allergies

Skin allergies typically occur for employees working in textiles, as well as those working in health care. As DC skin allergist Dr. Michael Kletz can attest, Latex is a common cause of skin allergies at work, as are textiles, dyes, resins and glues.

Skin Cancer

Lastly, we must discuss the most severe risk: skin cancer, which is most common among outdoor workers, including farmers and park rangers. It is best, if you work outdoors, to always wear sunscreen, hats and clothing that properly cover your skin. Most importantly, consult with your dermatologist about skin cancer screenings in Washington DC.

Your skin does a lot of important work for you. We hope that you will keep it safe while you are working, and have regular visits with your dermatologist to keep yourself healthy.

 

Does your job provide you with vision, dental, or general health benefits? If so, that is a wonderful thing, but you should not pick a doctor simply because he or she is in your company insurance provider’s network. Never take chances with your physical, oral, visual or mental health. Whether you need a cataract surgeon in Washington DC, a dentist in Virginia, or a general physician in Oakland California, you should look at your doctor’s credentials.

If you are seeking a cataract surgeon in Washington DC, for example, you should look for a medical professional who, beyond holding a medical doctorate, should be board certified in ophthalmology as well as surgery. Be sure to look into your DC cataract surgeon’s credentials thoroughly before committing to surgery. If your surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (look for “FACS” after his or her title or signature), that means your surgeon has been vetted and is board certified, and you can confirm your surgeon’s fellowship on the American College of Surgeons’ website. (Note: though you must be a board certified to be a fellow, you don’t need to be a fellow to be board certified.)

When you visit a medical profession, no matter the kind, be sure to look thoroughly into his or her qualifications. Does my Washington DC cataract surgeon have a high success rate? How often do complications occur with my Fairfax VA dermatologist’s patients? What are the next steps if I have a procedure and complications arise? What are the risks and their likelihood.

Be sure to thoroughly do your research both inside and outside the office. Beyond consulting with your physician, do an online search for reviews or, if anyone you know has gone to this doctor for services, politely ask about that person’s impression of the doctor. Consumer reports can be especially helpful. One particularly good piece of information to know is whether your doctor has been sued for malpractice. A malpractice suit does not automatically mean that you should avoid a physician’s office. If the malpractice suit is far enough in the past, you may feel comfortable utilizing that physician’s services. In fact, a doctor who has suffered a malpractice suit may be more careful than a doctor who has not dealt with such an ordeal, and thus, more trustworthy. If, in researching your doctor, you have any concerns, you may speak to someone in your office’s Human Resources department and have that person contact a representative from the insurance company.

Whether you are a looking for a podiatrist in Cleveland OH, a cataract surgeon in Washington DC, or an allergist in Manassas VA, ensure your doctor has the proper credentials before committing to using the doctor’s services. More than likely, your company’s insurance providers has a network of many great professionals from which you may choose.