Kansas City Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Highway project stalled after death of construction worker

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Construction Workers' Accidents on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.

The building of the country's infrastructure takes a toll on public funding, time and the hard labor of employees. Unfortunately, some employees pay the highest price and either suffer serious or even fatal injuries on the job. There have been many Missouri families whose lives have been forever altered by a serious construction worker accident.

One family is now faced with mourning the loss of a loved one after another construction worker died in the building of a highway that has already taken the lives of three other workers since construction began in 2015. The latest incident occurred earlier this month as workers were attempting to move drainage piping. Employees were hoisting the 20-foot section when the pipe broke free and struck a worker in the head. The unidentified man was transported for emergency medical treatment. Sadly, he could not be saved and was pronounced deceased at the medical facility.

Workplace safety can be promoted with implementation of HASP

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

Though experience is often one of the best teachers, it is not the preferred way of doing things on the job. Workplace safety is a serious issue that can be bolstered with clear planning and training employees effectively. Missouri workers have suffered serious work-related illnesses and injuries that may have been prevented if a comprehensive safety plan was implemented.

HASP is short for a Health and Safety Plan. Many states require such procedures to be in place in order to prevent serious incidents on the job. Once there is a clear plan in place, worker productivity often increases, and morale often follows suit. Such plans are based on research conducted by the National Safety Council and are often recommended by OSHA officials.

Man found dead after apparent industrial accident

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

No matter one's occupation, almost every workplace can contain hazards that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. In reality, there are some workplaces that pose a more serious risk of injuries to even the most experienced employees. Missouri workers who are employed in any type of manufacturing might face a higher probability of becoming a victim of an industrial accident.

Recently, investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were informed of a fatal incident that occurred at a manufacturing plant that produces cheese products. According to a police report, officials were summoned to a cheese factory in response to reports of a man found deceased inside of a mixing machine. Other workers purportedly found the employee when they came into the area.

Man dies; 2 injured in construction site accident

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Construction Workers' Accidents on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

When new building projects are undertaken, there are usually various companies and subcontractors involved. Each of these companies is expected to ensure that the safety of its workers are one of the top priorities. Sadly, there have been many Missouri workers who have either died or suffered serious injuries in a construction site accident.

Recently, there were reports of a trench collapse that resulted in the death of one unidentified worker and caused serious injuries to two others. Details about the collapse have not been forthcoming, but the workers who were involved were employed by a sub-contractor on a project that involves the building of a 382-unit apartment complex. At the time of the fatal incident, the workers were engaged in preparing a site for the construction of a stormwater retaining pond as well as excavating for future wall building.

Workplace accidents can result in serious, or even fatal injuries

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Accidents on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

No matter one's occupation, most employees work diligently to ensure that they follow all safety protocols to ensure both their safety and that of their co-workers. Unfortunately, even the most seasoned employees can fall victim to serious workplace accidents that can result in debilitating injuries or even death. Though the majority of Missouri workers attempt to avoid unsafe working conditions, not every accident can be foreseen and prevented.

Recently, police and emergency responders were summoned to the L Brands facility that provides products for the Bath and Body Works retail stores. The report indicated that two men were engaged in loading product onto a truck, using an expandable conveyor belt machinery. For reasons that are yet unclear, a 56-year-old worker was somehow trapped between the belt and cases of product. Because the man's back was pressed up against the machinery's control panel, the worker was unable to reach the stop button.

Federal Chemical Safety Board strives to improve workplace safety

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Safety on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Those who work in the industrial field are exposed to hazards that are rarely found in other workplaces. However, in spite of growing concerns that the federal Chemical Safety Board lacks funding to improve workplace safety, others are opposed to funding the board altogether. Missouri is home to several manufacturing plants that could pose a significant danger to both employees and the surrounding communities in the event of a serious accident.

The Chemical Safety Board was first established in 1990 to investigate the causes behind industrial accidents. The need for this independent agency came about after a series of industrial accidents that proved to be beyond the scope of either the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. Though the board was founded in 1990, it was eight years before it received any funding from the federal government. Even now, the budget is significantly less than that received by other safety agencies.

Many states cover work-related cancer in firefighters

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

Certain occupations come with a higher level of risk to one's health. Though firefighters face many hazards, the danger of occupational diseases may not be taken into consideration until one is diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer. There are some districts in Missouri that are beginning to apply the presumptive legislation laws recognizing that many firefighters' cancers are directly related to their occupation.

In many situations, whenever a firefighter is diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, it falls to the victim to prove that the disease is related to his or her occupation. The outcome of the findings will usually dictate whether victims will qualify for benefits from their state's workers' compensation program. However, with the growing recognition of presumptive legislation, it is now the responsibility of the employer to prove that working conditions did not contribute to a serious illness.

Company fined for failing to protect workers from trench collapse

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Accidents on Thursday, December 27, 2018.

Those who supply contracting services for residential and commercial properties often face a variety of hazardous working conditions. Employers are expected to maintain a certain level of safety -- regardless of the project -- in order to ensure that workers are protected from harm, such as a potentially fatal trench collapse. Unfortunately, many Missouri workers have suffered serious work accidents when their employers failed to meet required standards.

Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently fined a contracting company for failing to ensure the safety of its workers who were installing piping for a sewer system in a residential development. According to inspectors, two men were working in a 17-foot trench when one of the sidewalls collapsed. Only one worker was able to escape to safety; the second worker was killed.

Construction worker wins suit over injuries sustained on the job

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Construction Workers' Accidents on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

Those who work in construction often find themselves laboring in a wide variety of environments. Regardless of the job site, however, there are certain safety protocols that must be adhered to in order to prevent serious injuries. Unfortunately, as many Missouri workers will attest, any construction worker faces the possibility of suffering an injury in an unforeseen incident.

Recently, one worker was awarded an estimated $2.7 million after he suffered the partial loss of a limb in a construction accident at an amusement park. The accident occurred in 2014 when the 23-year-old worker was assisting in the move of a steel pillar. The object was being moved via a forklift, and the worker was holding onto a line attached to the column. When the forklift came to an unexpected stop, the man was pulled into the path of the vehicle.

Teachers claim moldy classrooms causing work-related illness

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Illness on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.

Every so often, there will be media reports concerning the harm that mold spores can cause to one's health when they are present in a home or workplace. Unfortunately, the warnings are often ignored as being overblown or irrelevant when it comes to seeking the cause of a work-related illness. However, dangerous mold spores may be present in many Missouri workplaces without the employees realizing what could be causing their symptoms.

Recently, one school district reported that it has seen an increase in the numbers of teachers and other employees who have sought benefits from their workers' compensation program. Out of an estimated 175 teachers at one school, approximately 40 of them have been out due to mold exposure. Though many of the affected teachers are out for less than 30 days, the absences are causing many parents to feel that their children's education is suffering.

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