Workers Compensation | Lowenthal & Abrams

OSHA shifts to more aggressive safety enforcements

Posted on May 14th, 2010 No Comments

Employee’s getting hurt on the job can lead to a hefty fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as it shifts to stricter safety enforcements.

OSHA’s top executive said in a statement last month that fines for the worst safety violators are going to rise. The program will be called the Severe Violator Enforcement Program and will be effective this spring. The goal of the new program is to have a higher penalty for companies and encourage employees to have a safer and healthier workplacse.

If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, you need experienced representation on your side. Contact the Pennsylvania workers compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 610-667-7511.

Five plant workers killed in gas explosion

Posted on April 23rd, 2010 No Comments

An explosion at an unfinished power plant in Connecticut killed five people when the plant was testing its natural gas lines.

The incident occurred at Kleen Energy Systems plant in Middleton, which is about 20 miles from Hartford. Officials are calling the accident a gas explosion but the exact cause of the fire is still unknown.

Five plant workers were killed and at least another dozen were injured. Rescue crews spent the whole night looking for missing people because there were said to be over 50 people in the area when the explosion occurred.

If you or a family member has been injured in a workplace accident, contact the Pennsylvania workers compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 610-667-7511.

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Workers' compensation insurance broker sentenced to 10 years prison for fraud

Posted on April 9th, 2010 No Comments

A California insurance broker pleaded guilty on April 6th to charges of grand theft and insurance fraud amounting to $4.6 million. The various charges included grand theft by embezzlement, insurance fraud, transacting as an insurance business without a certificate of authority, forgery, tax fraud, and premium fraud. The man issued false certificates of insurance to four companies with workers numbering over 80,000 total.

This kind of fraud is particularly malicious as it leaves thousands of workers unprotected without their knowledge, preventing legitimately injured workers from claiming the benefits they deserve. “Any defendant fraudulently collecting millions of dollars to support their fancy lifestyle deserves to go to prison,” said Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

If you have been a victim of workers’ compensation insurance fraud or want to discuss legal questions pertaining to workers’ compensation, contact the Pennsylvania workers compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 610-667-7511.

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$657.5M tentative settlement reached in Ground Zero workers' comp. lawsuit

Posted on March 12th, 2010 No Comments

A tentative settlement has been reached in the cases of almost 11,000 Ground Zero rescue and cleanup workers; up to $657.5 million could be awarded.

The settlement will be awarded based on the individual severity of illnesses and the level of exposure to contaminants at the World Trade Center site. The money would come from a federally financed insurance company with funds of more than $1 billion.

In order for a settlement to take effect, 95 percent of the 11,000 plaintiffs must accept the terms. If 100 percent of the plaintiffs agree to the accord, the settlement would be $657.5 million. The total would shrink to $575 million if only the required 95 percent of plaintiffs agree.

The plaintiffs injuries are mostly respiratory related. The injuries were caused by a toxic mix of contaminants at ground zero and a lack of protective equipment.

If you or someone you love works in the healthcare industry and has been injured on the job, or in any occupation, contact the Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 610-667-7511 today.

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Police Officer Killed in Auto Accident While Responding to Call

Posted on February 20th, 2009 No Comments

A police officer was killed in a car crash on Wednesday while responding to another officer's call for back up. Officer Richard Matthews, 28, died in the late-night accident. According to police officials, Matthews was attempting to avoid debris on the highway when he swerved his police cruiser and smashed into a tree.

Matthews was en route to assist officers who had stopped a driver suspected of possessing drugs. Police believe the driver of that vehicle had thrown a box out the window, thought to contain drugs. They say it was likely this box that caused Matthews to have the wreck.

Matthews, a former NYPD officer, had been with the Wilmington Police Department since 2006. His family resides in Pennsylvania.

Sadly, tragic deaths like this one occur every day. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident while on the job, contact the Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 610-667-7511 for more information about our legal services.

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Injured Firefighter Files Suit Against Deceased Police Deputy

Posted on February 18th, 2009 No Comments

A Missouri firefighter who was injured in a vehicle collision while responding to an accident call has filed suit against a Sheriff's Deputy who died in the incident. Attorneys for volunteer firefighter Joshua C. Douglas filed the lawsuit on Friday, alleging that Deputy Gary McCormack and the Greene County Sheriff's Office are liable for his medical injuries.

Douglas and McCormack both received the same radio report of an accident on the morning of October 6, 2007. As the two men were traveling to the scene of the reported accident, their vehicles collided. McCormack was killed upon impact. According to the lawsuit, Douglas suffered a broken shoulder and broken ribs.

The lawsuit alleges that McCormack was driving at excessive speeds and failed to slow down or yield to Douglas' vehicle. In addition, the suit alleges that the Sheriff's Office was negligent for not providing McCormack with proper training and supervision.

McCormack's family previously filed a lawsuit of its own, alleging that Douglas was responsible for the accident. They claim Douglas did not obey a stop sign at the intersection of the crash.

As this case shows, on the job accidents are all too common. No matter your occupation, a work site of any kind contains many hidden dangers. If you or someone you know has been injured while on the job and needs assistance with a workers' compensation claim, contact the Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 610-667-7511 for more information about our services.

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Court Rules Woman Can Sue Chevron in Toxic Fumes Case

Posted on February 16th, 2009 2 Comments

The Utah Supreme Court has ruled that a former Chevron employee can sue the company for being exposed to toxic fumes at work. The woman's job involved neutralizing toxic sludge at Chevron's Salt Lake City refinery. Her identity was not released.

In early 1999, the woman was engulfed in noxious gas after being instructed to neutralize toxic sludge with sulfuric acid. She passed out on the scene, and was later diagnosed with multiple injuries, including a seizure disorder.

The State Supreme Court's ruling found that the injuries could have been intentional, entitling her to damages. Their decision reversed an earlier district court decision, which found that the woman was not entitled to damages because she received workers' compensation.

The worker's attorneys argued that the injuries were intentional because a similar accident had occurred earlier on the same day, but supervisors did not tell her or provide any form of protection.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, it is important that you act quickly and have a qualified workers' compensation attorney on your side. Contact the Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 610-667-7511 for more information about our services.

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Sheriff's Deputy Acquitted of Workers' Compensation Fraud

Posted on February 12th, 2009 1 Comment

A former New York Sheriff's Deputy has been acquitted of workers' compensation fraud. Audrey Rodrigues was charged with multiple felony counts of fraud, stemming from an alleged on-the-job injury which resulted in $50,000 of workers' compensation benefit payments.

The judge overseeing the case ruled on Wednesday that the prosecution did not have sufficient evidence for a conviction against Rodrigues. The prosecution's case against her was built around an alleged admission Rodrigues made to a co-worker.

According to the judge's ruling, the grand jury that indicted Rodrigues never heard any of the available medical evidence relevant to the case. The grand jury had indicted Rodrigues on a total of 43 counts, including grand larceny.

Prosecutors say they will now reassess the evidence in the case and eventually present to a new grand jury. Rodrigues had no immediate comment, but her attorney voiced a concern about damage to Rodrigues' reputation as a result of the charges.

Workers' compensation fraud is a serious crime. However, it is important that those injured employees who rightfully deserve compensation know their legal rights. If you need legal assistance with a workers' compensation claim, contact the Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 610-667-7511 for more information about our services.

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Construction Supervisor's Death Blamed on Falling Bricks

Posted on February 11th, 2009 1 Comment

The death of a Boston-area construction supervisor has been blamed on falling bricks. Darren Barnicoat worked as a subcontractor on a mixed development construction site in the downtown area.

As safety officials were called to the scene of a reported accident, Barnicoat was seen being lifted out of a construction hole by a crane. He was immediately transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Although federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials continue to investigate the incident, authorities say Barnicoat apparently perished due to bricks that fell upon him from above the construction hole. Workers were attempting to preserve a brick-lined portion of an old building on the site.

Records show that two other non-fatal accidents had previously been reported at the same construction site.

Unfortunately, construction site injuries are relatively common. If you have been injured while on any type of job site, it is important that you fully understand your legal rights. Contact the Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 610-667-7511 for more information about our legal services.

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Bill Would Have Expanded Workers' Comp Rights For Oil Workers

Posted on February 9th, 2009 1 Comment

A Wyoming state law which would have expanded workers' compensation rights for oil and gas industry workers was defeated in the State House of Representatives on Wednesday. The proposal, titled the "Duty Owed to Employees" bill, would have made oil and gas companies liable for worksite injuries sustained by independtly contracted employees.

Under current state law, contractor employees do not have the same legally protected status as other employees. Contractor employees are routinely utilized on oil and gas jobsites for various service tasks.

According to Rep. Keith Gingery, it is nearly impossible for contactor workers to sue oil companies in the event of an injury. He believes the bill was defeated as a direct result of lobbying by the state's oil and gas industries. According to Gingery, the independent contractor designation is used by oil and gas companies to avoid legal liability.

Gingery said he remains concerned about worker safety in the absence of such a bill. As of now, it appears that any similar bill would not have sufficient support among state lawmakers for passage.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, it is important
to understand the details of Pennsylvania workers' compensation laws.
Contact the Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 610-667-7511 for more information about our legal services.