Workers Comp: 2 employees flashed by electrical arc

Two electric & power employees suffered electric burns to their faces and necks when electrical equipment where they were working -- arced.

The two men were working in a bucket truck along a highway when they were flashed by an electrical arc. Both suffered burns and were flown in medical helicopters to care.

The power worker with the first and second degree burns was air lifted overnight to a university hospital specializing in burn units; he is listed in critical but stable condition.

The other utility worker suffered second-and-third degree burns; he is listed in fair condition.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Cancer and Fire Fighters

30 states already have a law that covers workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer. Pennsylvania firefighters are hoping that the state will follow suit.

Under the proposed legislation, the Cancer Presumption Bill, burden would be placed on the employer or municipality to prove that job hazards were not a major contributor to cancer for a firefighter who has served four or more years. Benefits would be disbursed either by the municipality's insurance company or workers' compensation carrier.

Studies have shown that cancers, including those that attack the brain, liver, colon, and prostate, are more prevalent in firefighters than in the general population. Pennsylvania receives fewer than 10 claims a year from firefighters for workers' compensation for cancer.

PA Workers Comp Claims on the Rise

According to a new study reported by the Workers Compensation Research Institute, medical costs for workers compensation were on the rise in Pennsylvania.

The study reported that lower doctor and hospital costs per claim were driven by lower to typical prices paid to doctors and lower payments per service for hospital outpatient services.

Higher costs per claim for services were billed by chiropractors and physical/occupational therapists which stemmed from higher utilization of these services due to more visits per claim offset by typical prices paid.

In Pennsylvania, the study found more claims received clinic/evaluation and office visits, physical therapy, and minor X-rays in a hospital outpatient setting than in other study states. This might suggest that more routine procedures were delivered in a hospital outpatient setting in Pennsylvania than were provided by nonhospital providers in other states.

While more care was delivered in a hospital outpatient setting, the average medical cost per claim in Pennsylvania was substantially lower than other study states.

New Jersey Employers Fails to Pay Workers Compensation

The owner of a Morris County, New Jersey paving company was indicted for failing to provide workers' compensation to his employees.

This negligence forced the state's Uninsured Employers' Fund $254,000 to the employee for expenses that he incurred as a result of the accident.

The owner of Accurate Paving is accused of failing to provide workers' compensation insurance coverage to his employees from October 7, 2003 and April 28, 2009.

On Oct. 8, 2003, an employee suffered serious injuries in an accident while on the job, then needed surgery plus a three-month stay in the hospital.

A fourth-degree crime carries maximum penalties of 18 months in state prison and $10,000 fine.

Workers Comp? DJ Shot to Death at Work

A man was shot to death while working as a DJ in a bar. His father is asking for workers compensation benefits because his son was shot to death while at work.

The shooter was convicted of second-degree murder.

The father is also seeking medical and funeral expenses related to his son's death.

OSHA: Show us your accountability

So many things went wrong under George W. Bush; OSHA's lack of enforcement is just one of them.

OSHA created the Voluntary Protection Program which was supposed to hold the safest companies to higher standards. Instead it was a sham where conservatives pandered to business interests while easing oversites.

OSHA officials were supposed to vet applicants to make sure that only companies with the best safety records, and the fewest relative illnesses and injuries, were enrolled.

A company in the program had three fatalities in separate accidents over a five-year period, yet remained in OSHA’s good graces. Another company was cited 10 times for serious violations yet continued to shine under OSHA's halo. Files have never revealed the true injuries and death violations.

(Blogger's note: Can the same be said for the FDA?)

President Obama promises to revamp OSHA and increase enforcement. Let's hope that happens.

Workers Comp: Please Don't Take My Wheelchair

A W. Va. nursing home employee injured her back permanently in 1990 while trying to lift an elderly patient. She soon began collecting workers compensation benefits, including medications and use of a wheelchair.

But the new management of the Workers Compensation Fund took away her wheelchair.

Then they gave it back -- but only for 30 days.

The 59 year old woman still has problems standing and walking and says her permanent back injuries also cause circulation problems in her legs.

The new workers comp management fund is also going to take away her meds including painkillers.

It seems that people who filed disability claims prior to July 1, 2005 are covered by the old fund and claims filed after July 1, 2005 are covered by the new fund.

What happens to those old filers who still need the help?