May, 2018 - Braunfotel and Frendel

Do I need an attorney for my workers’ compensation claim?

You may be known as a do-it-yourself" kind of person. ButHere are two reasons you may want you to think twice before settling a claim on your own.Attorneys are proficient in the lawWorkers' compensation statutes aren't exactly nighttime reading. It can be difficult to comprehend what an injured worker's rights are and what you may be entitled to. Do you have to consent to a release of your medical records? What is an independent medical examination? What does subrogation mean? A workers' compensation attorney will be able to answer these questions and provide you with further clarification as needed.Attorneys are trained negotiatorsWhen it comes down to settling your case, it is highly unlikely that an adjuster will hand over the maximum compensation right off-the-bat. Instead, they will try to settle [...]

Do I need an attorney for my workers’ compensation claim?james2018-05-14T00:00:00+00:00

Drug charges follow discovery of stash worth over $1.2 million

Facing criminal charges in New York can have severe consequences, and those in such situations typically seek legal counsel as soon as possible. This was likely also the first step taken by a 42-year-old Oswego City man after his arrest on drug charges. The Oswego County Drug Task Force, which comprises members of several law enforcement agencies, reported the arrest on a recent Monday.According to court documents, the task force obtained a search warrant for the accused man's apartment and proceeded with a search at about 4 p.m. A report indicates that the street value of the seized drugs totals approximately $1,222,410. It includes 62.1 grams of crack cocaine, 324.3 grams of heroin and 1,230 grams of fentanyl. The latter is said to be worth $1 million.Reportedly, the man faces [...]

Drug charges follow discovery of stash worth over $1.2 millionjames2018-05-11T00:00:00+00:00

Five tips on keeping workers safe

Business owners in New York probably know how hard it is to maintain a safe work environment when everyone must work at a fast pace in order to meet deadlines. However, any effort toward creating a safety culture will come with rewards, including a decrease in worker injuries and improved productivity. Below are five tips that employers, site managers and safety coaches alike can consider as they strive to improve worker safety.First of all, nothing can begin without strong leadership; this must be a top-down operation. Those in the position of authority can start by conducting a survey where employees are questioned (anonymously) on their knowledge of corporate policies, their sense of their own duties and their expectations of others.All too often, workers fail to speak up about hazards for [...]

Five tips on keeping workers safejames2018-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

Advancing technology is rapidly improving workplace safety

It is often said that many employers in New York prioritize profits over the safety of employees. This could be because many business owners might feel that placing the focus on workplace safety can jeopardize profits by distracting attention from production. However, rapid technological changes have started to provide safety options that can be practical without compromising productivity.Robotics is one such advance that is becoming part of many workplaces, often used to do repetitive tasks, allowing humans to do more complicated jobs. Repetitive strain injuries can be eliminated by using robots, and they do not suffer the typical consequences of working with hazardous chemicals. Another piece of smart technology is a safety clip that is attached to worker's belt to record any trip-and-fall accident and alert supervisors. A single push [...]

Advancing technology is rapidly improving workplace safetyjames2018-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

Workplace safety involves much more than obvious hazards

Some New York workplaces are minefields of dangers despite compliance with safety regulations. Safety management entails more than the elimination of known hazards. All employees must be responsible for workplace safety, and monthly safety reviews should involve all workers, including new employees. Caution signs play an essential part in injury prevention considering that so many workers suffer fractured bones or spinal cord and brain injuries because somebody neglected to put out a 'wet floor' sign.Although business owners may not refuse employment on the basis of handicaps or physical ailments, they can carry out pre-hiring physicals to create a safer workplace. The aim would be to learn about a new employee's limitations from the start. Making the necessary changes to workstations to accommodate each worker can help to prevent workplace injuries.Fear [...]

Workplace safety involves much more than obvious hazardsjames2018-05-04T00:00:00+00:00

Drunk driving charges: Misdemeanors vs. felonies

No driver wants to lose his or her driving privileges, especially if it follows only a few drinks shared over lunch or an evening with friends - which might have included one too many. Some New York drivers are unsure about when drunk driving charges will be misdemeanors and when will they be felony charges. There are certain circumstances under which a DUI charge will automatically be a felony.Prior DUI convictions might lead to felony charges. A first offense with a blood alcohol level over .08 percent might be seen as a misdemeanor, but if the driver had a prior DUI conviction within the previous 10 years, he or she would be charged with a felony. The legal blood alcohol content allowed in New York is .08 percent, but .18 [...]

Drunk driving charges: Misdemeanors vs. feloniesjames2018-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

AFL-CIO report outlines most dangerous jobs

Some New York workers have a greater chance of dying on the job than others, according to a new report by the AFL-CIO. The report, entitled Death on the JobThe report found that 5,190 U.S. workers lost their lives on the job in 2016, compared to 4,836 in 2015. Further, the report estimated that an additional 50,000 to 60,000 workers die from occupational diseases each year. The most common cause of death for workers was transportation accidents, which accounted for 40 percent of all worker fatalities. The second most common cause of death was workplace violence, which accounted for nearly 17 percent of fatalities.The construction industry experienced the highest overall number of worker deaths, with 991. However, the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries had the highest fatality rate, which [...]

AFL-CIO report outlines most dangerous jobsjames2018-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

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