Kansas City Workers' Compensation Law Blog

OSHA deflates tire company with serious fines for violations

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Safety on Friday, June 7, 2019.

Companies seek to provide a quality product or service for its customers. In furtherance of that goal, they are required to provide employees with a safe working environment. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration was formed in order to ensure that employers meet safety regulations, and OSHA has the authority to issue citations and impose fines when a company violates those standards. Missouri workers are entitled to work in an environment that protects them from harm.

Recently, OSHA released its findings of a follow-up inspection concerning a tire manufacturing plant. The company opened in 2016 and was found to be in violation of several safety regulations after an inspection in 2017. After receiving no response from company officials concerning a correction plan, OSHA inspectors returned for a follow-up visit beginning last November. The federal agency imposed fines in excess of $500,000 for approximately 21 serious violations, the majority of which involved the same areas of concern from the previous report.

Worker suffers serious injuries in industrial accident

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Accidents on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.

One of the most important industries is the manufacturing of parts and equipment for use in a wide variety of commercial applications. However, the nature of the job often entails the use of large machinery and hazardous conditions that could lead to a serious industrial accident. Missouri is home to several manufacturing plants, in which it is likely that workers have suffered significant injuries.

Recently, emergency responders in another state were called to the scene of a workplace accident. According to the report, a 58-year-old man was engaged in working on a large lathe machine. Known as a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, this particular machine was a vertical turning center lathe. Apparently, the victim somehow fell into the machine while it was running.

Former Missouri weapons plant workers suffer work-related illness

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Illness on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

During times of tension between nations, production of weapon stockpiles increases. In many communities, new production plants meant increased employment opportunities and an economic boom. Unfortunately, workers of one Missouri plant discovered that they faced a higher probability of suffering a work-related illness.

The Kansas City Plant has been home to several different companies since its beginnings in the 1940s. At one time, it housed companies engaged in producing plane parts for the military. Over time, it was expanded and came under the control of the Department of Energy, (DOE), the National Nuclear Security Administration and the General Services Administration, (GSA), which contracted for production of electrical parts to be used in nuclear weapons. The plant quickly became one of the major employment providers, but employees were not informed about the dangers of exposure to toxic materials.

OSHA investigating after woman injured in work accident

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Accidents on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

No matter one's occupation, almost every work site has the potential to become dangerous under the wrong conditions. When the job at hand requires one to be off the ground, then the possibility of suffering injuries due to a fall increases. Missouri workers who have been injured in a work accident may qualify for benefits from the Workers' Compensation Insurance Program.

Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation into the causes behind a work site fall that injured a woman. According to the report, the woman was employed by a company that performs work in shipyards. The unidentified employee was working from an elevated position to complete power-washing in an enclosed area. For reasons that are yet unclear, the employee fell approximately 25 feet and landed in an unknown quantity of water.

Social Security disability might provide safety net for some

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Injuries on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

There is an old adage that refers to anything worth having, is worth working for in order to obtain the desired prize. However, in spite of the desire of the majority of Missouri employees to work until retirement age, there are circumstances that may make that goal unattainable. In the event that a worker finds him or herself with a serious condition that makes working impossible, Social Security Disability Insurance may provide a critical safety net.

Social Security Disability Insurance was instituted to help provide recipients with a means to make ends meet when they suffer a disabling ailment. Though it will not provide the same level of income as a regular paycheck, these funds may make it possible for one to keep a roof overhead and food on the table. But there is a qualifying process.

Workplace illness: Stress and long hours contribute to illnesses

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Illness on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

In the quest to provide for their families, workers are often required to put in long days and face increasing stress. Accordingly, the incidents of workplace illness claims have continued to climb. Missouri employees often put in long hours in a workplace that is not conducive to good health.

Recently, researchers affiliated with the United Nations published their findings regarding occupational illnesses globally. They found that an estimated 2.8 million workers suffer from some type of work-related illness every year. These illnesses are the result of increased stress, longer work hours and occupational-related diseases, including cancer cancer. Along with the alarming number of deaths, approximately 374 million additional workers suffer from the effects of workplace illnesses or injuries. The study reported that an estimated 6,500 workers die every day due to workplace illnesses as opposed to the estimated 1,000 workers who are killed in an accident.

OSHA investigation results in companies facing significant fines

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Safety on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

Federal safety regulations were established to prevent serious work-related injuries. When companies are lax in ensuring that these regulations are implemented, employees often pay a price. When a Missouri employee suffers a serious injury or illness on the job, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration may be called in to conduct a thorough investigation into the the incident.

Recently, OSHA announced its findings concerning the investigation into an accident that resulted in a temp worker suffering a significant hand injury. In Oct. 2018, the worker was assigned to JSL Foods. The man was given the task of cleaning a dough rolling machine. According to the report, as he was attempting to clean the rollers, his hand became entangled in the machinery and two of his fingers were amputated.

Amazon accused of denying on-the-job injury claims

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Injuries on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

The convenience offered by the on-line retail giant Amazon created enormous wealth for its founder and CEO. Customers all across the country, including here in Missouri, may not be aware that the company has also been accused of unfairly denying the claims of workers who have suffered an on-the-job injury. Many have spoken of their fight for medical and workers' comp benefits.

Employees claim that the company often refuses to acknowledge the seriousness of work-related injuries and will deny benefits for valid claims. One woman who worked for a fulfillment center reported that she experienced nerve damage from work-related carpal tunnel syndrome. She sought care from the on-site health clinic on multiple occasions and was advised to return to duty. She was finally forced to undergo surgery to relieve her symptoms, but the company's workers' compensation insurer fought her claim for more than a year before approving the procedure.

Construction worker suffers serious internal injuries in accident

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Construction Workers' Accidents on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

With the advent of spring, many states, including Missouri, are gearing up to begin repairs and new projects. Thousands of workers who were laid off have looked forward to a return to the job and the opportunity to provide income for their families. Unfortunately, it's also the time of year when an accident can result in a construction worker suffering serious, even debilitating, injuries.

Just days after returning to work, one man was on the site of a planned bridge collapse when he was horribly injured. According to the report, the 42-year-old man was engaged in electrical work under an overpass that was scheduled for demolition. Another worker for the same subcontractor was moving a construction vehicle at the same time. For reasons that are yet unclear, the truck backed into the man, knocking him to the ground. The vehicle then ran over the victim before the driver was aware of what happened.

Investigation launched in response to fatal work accident

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Accidents on Thursday, April 4, 2019.

Those whose occupations involve industrial environments face hazardous conditions on a regular basis. Experienced workers take as many precautions as possible, but not every work accident can be foreseen and prevented. When these serious incidents occur, Missouri workers -- or their surviving families -- may be entitled to seek assistance from the workers' compensation program.

Emergency responders received a report of a workplace accident at a steel mill plant. When they arrived on scene, they discovered a male victim who was unresponsive. Though they applied life-saving techniques, their efforts were unsuccessful. The 55-year-old male was pronounced deceased at the location.

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