Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

The first full week in May is North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH Week), focusing on the importance of workplace safety in the prevention of serious injuries and illnesses. Although some industries in the U.S. are more dangerous than others, no workplace is completely free from hazards – making workplace safety an important issue for every U.S. worker.

Organizations participating in NAOSH Week include the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

In 2011, according to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,609 U.S. workers lost their lives in workplace accidents. On average, 13 people a day die on the job, and hundreds more suffer injuries or occupational illnesses that result in lost time at work, lost productivity, and other life-altering disabilities and situations. Workplace safety measures protect not only workers on the job, but also the bottom line of businesses, which can’t afford losses in productivity during tight economic times.

Continue reading "North American Occupational Safety and Health Week Focuses on Worker Safety" »

Many Missourians prepare for the risk of bad winter weather by having their vehicles checked, packing a winter driving kit, and watching the weather forecast to prepare for rough roads. However, winter weather can cause on-the-job injuries as well - and not only to workers whose jobs require them to drive.

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), some common sources of on-the-job injuries during the winter season include:

• Frostbite. Frostbite occurs when the deep layers in the skin tissue begin to freeze. Its symptoms include waxy-white or pale skin and loss of feeling. The toes, fingers, nose, and ears are often the first parts affected by frostbite.
• Hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Uncontrollable shivering indicates hypothermia, and so do a slowing down of thought and speech, stumbling, and difficulty moving or handling tools.
• Snow and ice. Snow and ice can cause slip and fall injuries and motor vehicle accidents. Injuries from large loads of snow or ice chunks falling off roofs or other structures can also occur.
• Downed power lines. Any winter storm can knock down power lines, and Missouri energy workers are often required to fix them - in some cases, before a storm has ended. Electrocution is a risk, as well as falls or being struck by a falling pole, line, or other equipment.

Continue reading "Missouri Winters Can Cause On-the-Job Injuries Too" »

After the death of a worker following the Joplin, Missouri tornado last year, the Missouri American Water Company is now facing total fines of $140,000 from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to an article in the Crevecoeur Patch.

The accident claimed the life of a worker who was using a saw at the time. The saw blade kicked back and hit the worker, causing serious injuries that medical workers were unable to repair.

After several months of investigation, OSHA fined the worker’s employer, Missouri American Water Company, for what the agency called “willful violations” of worker health and safety rules. OSHA’s official comments on the investigation and the fine stressed the need for employers to follow all health and safety guidelines in order to protect workers from serious injury while on the job. The company disagreed with the characterization of the accident as a “willful violation,” stating that it was committed to keeping its workers safe.

Continue reading "Missouri American Water Company Faces OSHA Fine After Worker Death" »

A grain elevator company headquartered in Atchison, Missouri was cited by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently after multiple safety violations led to an explosion that killed six employees and injured two more at one of the company’s grain elevators in 2011, according to a recent article in Business Week. OSHA has also proposed that the company be fined more than $400,000.

OSHA’s citations included five willful safety violations and eight separate, also serious safety violations. The agency noted that the deaths of the six workers could have been prevented if the company had followed state and federal safety regulations, instead of ignoring them. The explosion was fueled by grain dust, which can be up to nine times more explosive than coal dust, according to OSHA. The citation noted that the grain elevator company instructed employees to use compressed air to disperse the grain dust without first making sure that nothing in the area, including the air compressor itself, could create a spark that might cause an explosion. The fatal explosion that occurred in 2011 was triggered in this manner, says the agency.

OSHA also noted that the company had failed to use cleaning procedures that would prevent grain dust from becoming explosive and had also failed to take steps to prevent ignition sources from coming into contact with the dust.

Workplace accidents can cause serious and even fatal injuries, especially in industries where hazardous conditions are common. At Page Law, our practiced Missouri on the job injury attorneys have helped many injured workers and their families seek the compensation they need after an accident. For a free, confidential consultation, call us today at (314) 322-8515.

Investigation into a recent explosion at a Dittmer, Missouri fireworks plant ended with investigators concluding the explosion was an accident, according to a news report from KSDK.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) finished its investigation into the plant’s practices last week, following an accident and explosion at the plant that left three workers injured. While two of the injured employees have since been released from the hospital and are expected to make good recoveries, the third worker is still hospitalized, facing a long road to recovery after serious burns.

The ATF’s report did not give many details. It stated that the ATF currently believes the explosion was “accidental” and that it took place during the plant’s normal everyday business, which is manufacturing fireworks. The report did not give details about exactly how the explosion occurred, nor did it state whether or not officials believed that the plant had violated any state or federal occupational safety and health laws, which might have led to the explosion.

At Page Law, our compassionate yet tough St. Louis workplace injury lawyers understand that, while no workplace can be made completely safe, employers can often do much to protect their employees from accidents. In addition, when an employee is injured on the job, workers’ compensation and other types of compensation are often crucial to recovery. If you’ve been hurt while at work, call us today at (314) 322-8515 to learn more about your legal rights. The initial telephone consultation is free, and we never share your information with anyone.

Chemical inhalation is a well-known cause of workplace injuries, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In order to reduce the number of serious injuries caused each year by chemical inhalation, OSHA requires the use of protective equipment when working with certain dangerous chemicals for increased workplace safety. However, skin exposure to many of these chemicals can be equally dangerous - and can come with hidden risks many workers and employers don’t think of until it’s too late.

First, many chemicals used in a wide range of workplaces can cause skin injury if they come in contact with the body. Chemical burns, irritation, or allergic reactions can all cause serious damage or even be life-threatening. OSHA requires protective gloves and other gear be worn when working with many of these chemicals to prevent them from coming into contact with skin.

Next, skin exposure to a chemical poses the hidden danger of increasing a person’s total exposure to a chemical, making poisoning more likely. In many cases, workers may judge themselves to be “fine” after just a bit of inhalation, not realizing that their skin has also soaked up a dangerous chemical. Medical treatment is necessary after any kind of dangerous chemical exposure.

At Page Law, our experienced workplace accident lawyers in St. Louis can guide you through every step of the process after a work accident, from filing your workers’ compensation claim to holding any negligent third parties accountable in court. To learn more about how we can help you protect your legal rights, call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential telephone consultation.

An Earth City, Missouri recycling company was recently cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for violating health and safety rules, according to a recent article in Recycling Today. The OSHA’s investigation into health and safety at the plant began in June of 2011, when a worker attempting to clear a jam inside a baling machine was killed.

The citations included 22 serious safety violations and 8 serious health violations. These included situations in which potentially explosive dust was allowed to linger in the air where workers were present; employees operating loud equipment without wearing required hearing protection; and workers operating wash machines containing dangerous solvents without having the required safety clothing, such as gloves and face protection.

The company also received a “repeat” violation for using powered trucks the company knew were defective. A “repeat” violation is a second citation for the same behavior within five years. The company had received a citation for the same defective powered trucks in April 2010. OSHA has given the company until December 30, 2011 to fix the violations, and has recommended a total fine of over $195,000.

If you or someone you love has suffered a workplace injury in Missouri, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced St. Louis workplace accident attorneys at Page Law. We can help you every step of the way, from negotiating with your employer or workers’ compensation to holding negligent third parties accountable for their actions. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

Heat stress is the name given to the collection of injuries and illnesses that can occur when a worker is regularly exposed to hot environments. Some workers are regularly in the heat as part of their jobs. As summer heat waves hit Missouri and the temperatures climb, however, even workers who do not usually have to guard against heat-related injuries may fall victim to heat stress.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat stress can lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or hyperthermia, all of which can have serious effects on a person’s health. Heat stress may also cause symptoms like heat rashes, cramps, or dizziness. These symptoms, combined with excess sweating and heat-damaged equipment, can make it all too easy for even careful workers to suffer workplace injuries.

As outdoor temperatures hit record highs, it’s important for workers and employers alike to understand the signs of heat-related injuries. These can include excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, chills, headache, and high body temperature. Workers who show any of these symptoms should be moved to a cool and shaded location, and efforts should be made to cool them off with wet clothing or towels while medical help is located.

Heat stress can cause serious injuries. If it is not treated properly, death can result. If you have suffered a heat-related injury or illness while on the job due to someone else’s carelessness or lack of safety standards, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced St. Louis injury lawyers at Page Law. We will carefully examine the details of your case and help you hold any negligent parties accountable for your injuries. For a free consultation, call our law offices today at 314-322-8515.

The families and friends of Missouri workers who lost their lives on the job last year gathered recently in the Missouri State Capitol to remember their lost loved ones, according to a report from Ozarks First. The event, known as the Missouri Workers’ Memorial Ceremony, is hosted by the state Department of Labor each year to honor the memory of workers who have died in Missouri workplace accidents.

Last year, according to the Missouri Department of Labor, 95 workers were killed in workplace accidents in the state. One-third of these fatal accidents took place in manufacturing or construction workplaces, while the rest spanned every other workplace represented in the state of Missouri. Just over half of the workers who died - 52 in all - were men between the ages of 40 and 60. In 2009, 118 Missouri workers suffered fatal accidents on the job. Over 100,000 more workers were injured at work; one in five of injured workers worked in health care or in professions like firefighting. Men between the ages of 40 and 49 accounted for one-eighth of all workplace injuries in Missouri last year.

If you’ve been injured on the job, the experienced Missouri workplace accident attorneys at Page Law may be able to help. We can help you understand your legal rights and options and will fight for the compensation you deserve, whether it’s from workers’ compensation or a negligent third party. For a free and confidential consultation, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515.

A furniture store employee in O’Fallon was killed in the store’s warehouse when a love seat fell on top of him, crushing him, according to an article on StlToday.com. The employee had gone to retrieve furniture for a customer and failed to return. His manager went to the warehouse to look for him and found him pinned between furniture and a stock picker, which is a machine that lifts and lowers heavy objects. The employee had been using the stock picker to retrieve a love seat.

The manager lowered the employee to the ground, called 911 and began administering CPR. However, the man died later at the hospital. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident. OSHA had no complaints or violations against the O’Fallon store in its records, which date back to 1972. According to OSHA, over 5,000 people in the United States were killed in workplace accidents in 2008. 148 workers were killed in Missouri workplace accidents alone in 2008.

Continue reading "O'Fallon Furniture Store Employee Killed in Tragic Accident" »

A tragic workplace accident happened May 12 in Kansas City, Kansas at the Fairfax Industrial District. Unfortunately, two workers there were sprayed with extremely hot asphalt. The men were unloading hot asphalt at an Owens Corning facility. According to a Kansas City Business Journal story, the men were unloading the asphalt from the top of a truck to a storage tank. The equipment apparently malfunctioned, causing both employees to be sprayed with the asphalt. The asphalt was reportedly between 350 and 480 degrees. The two men had to be rescued from the top of the truck. According to the fire chief, in general, hot asphalt keeps burning until it is removed.

The injured men were transported to the University of Kansas’s Burn Hospital, where they remain in critical condition. Owens Corning plans an investigation into the incident.

Workers who are injured on the job in Missouri are entitled to fair compensation. Most employers are required by law to provide worker’s compensation insurance for their employees. Injured workers are entitled to receive compensation for their medical expenses as well as lost wages for time off from work due to the injury. If they are permanently injured, they are entitled to receive additional compensation, depending on the type of injury.

St. Louis workers’ compensation cases can be complicated. If you or someone you know has been injured on the job in Missouri, you need a dedicated St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney to insure you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled. Contact Page Law today at 314-322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation. We will work hard to defend your rights.

According to an article posted on New York Times’s website, many employees are not reporting work-related injuries and are consequently are not enacting their rights to safe working conditions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report Monday, indicating that the underreporting is a result of employee fears of hurting work and contract opportunities, being disciplined or fired, increased workers’ compensation costs and preventing benefits to colleagues. Still, workers who don’t report injuries also have to foot the bill for any medical visits and supplies, prescriptions, and therapy necessary for treatment.

The lack of reporting also has a direct affect on the accuracy of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data and reports. Inefficient data can prevent new and more efficient legislation regarding workers’ compensation from passing. The GAO also reported that over a third of occupational health practitioners surveyed stated that employers had pressured them to “play down” work-related injuries or illnesses in order to minimize the number of reports.

Continue reading "OSHA Workers' Compensation Data in Question Due to Employee Underreporting" »

A worker was injured in a mining accident in Bunker, Missouri by a small fall of ground. According to a KFVS news report, employees began administering first-aid immediately to the injured worker, who was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. The worker is expected to recover and did not suffer life-threatening injuries. An internal safety investigation is reportedly being conducted.

Workers who sustain injuries on the job in Missouri are entitled to fair compensation for their expenses and loss of wages. Most employers are required by state law to carry worker's compensation insurance for their employees. As an injured worker, you could seek compensation for medical treatment including hospital stays, physical therapy, medication, and any other medical treatment that is needed for you to recover from your injuries. If you suffer a serious injury and become permanently disabled or unable to work, you may be entitled to additional compensation for your suffering and lost earnings. If a worker dies as a result of his injuries, then his family is entitled to receive these benefits as well.

Continue reading "Worker Injured in Missouri Mine Accident" »

A kansascity.com story reported that Missouri Governor Staff members claimed that they didn’t know about a dangerously high E. Coli contamination in the Lake of the Ozarks this last spring, when in fact, at least one Governor aide was aware of the bacterium presence as early as 24 hours after detection. According to an interview given to state Senate investigators during the week of September 14, 2009, the aide told a senior adviser on May 29th about the E. Coli contamination. The interview also revealed that the official did not want to make public the high E. coli levels before she had an analysis on why the levels were so high or until she could explain the situation more accurately.

This information is the complete opposite of what the governor’s staff has been telling the public since July. In denying the public the truth, these government officials put the well-being of swimmers and those who consume fish caught in the lake at risk of ingesting E. coli bacterium. Since July, the Governor’s staff has been telling the media that they did not know about the issue until at least June 23, according to the story.

Continue reading "Public Misinformed about Lake of the Ozarks E. Coli Contamination" »

It may seem a bit out of the ordinary to Missouri residents to hear that a workers’ compensation board in Indiana is requiring an employer to cover an employee’s weight loss surgery. However, there are elements to the story that support such a decision. According to a usatoday.com report, the employee, who is a cook, suffered a painful back injury after being hit by a freezer door during a shift. The board concluded that the 380-pound employee’s back surgery would prove ineffective unless he underwent a weight loss procedure first.

Although it is true that the employer was overweight before he injured his back while at work, he gained more weight as a result of the injury. In addition to covering the cost of the back operation, the man’s employer will now have to pay for a lap-band weight reduction surgery that could cost $20,000 to $25,000. Needless to say, this case has raised alarm among businesses that may face such costly claims in the future. The decision also brings up the question of whether or not employers will resist hiring workers with health conditions that could potentially cost their companies a lot of money if a work accident happens to take place.

Employers are responsible for the safety and well-being of employees and are expected to create and maintain a safe working environment to help prevent injury or harm from plaguing workers at any time. When employers fail to uphold the responsibility of properly training employees or neglect to properly check the condition of working environments, serious consequences can result from work-related injuries.

Continue reading "An Employer Paying for a Worker's Weight Loss Surgery?" »

A female worker was killed recently while working on a concrete placement which was part of the Taum Sauk reservoir rebuilding project. An article claims that the 48-year-old woman was airlifted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and died from the injuries she received in the Missouri workplace accident. At the time the article was published, law enforcement officials investigating the Missouri construction accident had not yet released the accident victim’s name, but said that she was employed by Ozark Constructors LLC at the time the accident occurred.

Ozark Constructors had been hired by the reservoir’s owner—AmerenUE—to rebuild the reservoir after a breach occurred in the reservoir, which released a wall of water down the side of a mountain and into Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park on December 14, 2005. St. Louis-based utility company AmerenUE prepared a written statement that said the safety of everyone at the Taum Sauk reservoir construction site was the company’s top concern. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and coworkers of the construction worker who died as a result of this morning’s tragic accident at the Taum Sauk upper reservoir rebuild site,” the utility said in its written statement.

Ozark Constructors said that its workers have logged over 2 million hours of work over 21 months at the construction site, but the company declined to provide additional information pending an investigation into the Missouri construction site accident conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Construction sites can be very dangerous workplaces with lots of heavy equipment being moved by large machinery, multistory scaffolding and other potentially hazardous conditions. The majority of construction companies make construction site safety a priority and spend a great deal of time and money ensuring that employees receive the training, safety measures, and qualified supervision to prevent Missouri wrongful death accidents and personal injury incidents. However, there are some construction companies that take shortcuts to save money and expose their workers to unnecessary risks, and far too many workers are killed and seriously injured each year in Missouri construction site accidents.

Continue reading "Missouri Construction Accident Kills Female Worker" »

According to this recent report, an Illinois man died from injuries he suffered in an accident at the Holcim, Inc., cement plant, Ste. Genevieve. The Ste. Genevieve County Coroner investigating the accident did not provide specific details about the nature of the accident, but it is not clear whether the cement plant employed the accident victim. He may have been working at the cement plant for an outside contractor when the workplace accident in Missouri occurred.

After the accident, emergency personnel transported the victim to a hospital in Festus and then airlifted to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis where he died of his injuries. Law enforcement officials said that they are awaiting the autopsy results before determining any possible charges in the fatality.

Inadequate safety measures, poor supervision, insufficient safety training, or shortcuts taken to expedite completion of a project all can cause Missouri workplace accidents, often resulting in very serious injuries or even death. Workplace accident victims often must contend with catastrophic medical bills, loss of income, and insurance companies that may try to pressure them into signing documents that they do not fully understand.

If you or someone you care for sustained injuries in the course of employment in Missouri, you are entitled to fair compensation for your injuries and the resulting financial hardship. The experienced Missouri worker’s compensation attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Page Law will protect your rights throughout the claim with the employer’s insurance company. They will fully investigate the accident and see that you receive the financial compensation you deserve to offset steep medical bills and any additional costs resulting from the accident. To schedule a free consultation with skilled worker’s compensation lawyers in St. Louis at Page Law, call (314) 322-8515 today.