Archive for the ‘Worker’s Compensation’ Category
Staph Infections/MRSA Worker’s Compensation
Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a bacterial infection that mostly attacks the skin. Two million Americans are infected every year, with 
around 90,000 people dying from the disease. Symptoms include an area of painful blisters, skin nodules, fever, and yellow pus discharge from the infected area. If left untreated by a doctor, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause septic shock – which can lead to death. It is usually treated with antibiotics and/or drainage. However, there is a form of staph that is resistant to most forms of antibiotics — Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is the most dangerous form of staph, and it can live on towels and plastics for up to 90 days! It is important to keep a work area properly sanitized for this reason. NJ even has an act for hospitals to prevent staph infections from spreading (C.26:2H-12.35 to C.26:2H-12.38).
What causes staph infection/MRSA?
Not keeping a work area properly sanitized can cause a staph epidemic in the workplace. This includes not washing hands, not washing towels with hot water, sharing razors, sharing towels, sharing clothes, using an infected pool, and sharing equipment. The disease spreads through physical contact with an infected person/item, so that is why it is imperative to keep up with hygiene in the workplace. Once a workplace/worker is infected, every worker is now at risk.
Who is at Risk?
-Hospital workers
-Gym/Fitness Facility Workers
-Swimmers/Lifeguards
-EMS Workers
-Professional Athletes
-Retirement Home Workers
-Anyone who’s shared razors, towels, equipment, or clothes
What to do if I’m infected with Staph or MRSA?
The first thing you should do is receive medical attention to take care of the issue. The second thing you should do is file a DWC-1, which is a first report of injury form for workers. Any employee who has suffered any type of staph infection at work is eligible for Worker’s Comp. Benefits. Benefits include medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages (up to 2/3rds). If you work in a hospital and you think there is a violation of C.26:2H-12.35 to C.26:2H-12.38 that caused your infection, you have a case against your employer.
If you’ve been infected with staph/MRSA at work and been neglected compensation, you must take action. Not only is it immoral for an employer to neglect you, it is against NJ State Law! At the Morano Firm, we are strongly committed to defending clients who have been wrongfully neglected by their employers for injury benefits – especially a deadly infection like staph! If you’ve been infected with staph/MRSA at work and believe you’ve been neglected by your employer to pay for your medical expense, Call The Morano Law Firm LLC Today: 201-598-5019 for a no cost, no obligation meeting to discuss your individual case. We will make sure you receive the benefits you deserve and the treatment to get you back to work and save your life!
Head Injuries and Concussions in the Workplace
Head injuries are one of the most serious forms of injuries in the workplace. New Jersey Workers’ Compensation cases like this should not be taken lightly. As we know, the brain is the control center for the body, so we cannot function or live without it. It is composed of soft tissue and can be easily damaged. The skull – the protective layer of bone that encases the brain – only adds a thin layer of protection. That is why many employers require head protection on the job. However, head safety gear (helmets, hard hats, etc.) only helps absorb SOME of the impact – which means head trauma is still possible, even when wearing head safety gear.
The most popular type of head/brain injury is the concussion. A concussion is a brain contusion that varies in 
severity. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, short-term memory loss, vertigo, nausea, and sensitivity to light. A concussion can last from a few days up to a few months, depending on the severity. Repeated concussions have been linked to Alzheimer’s and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
What causes a Concussion?
Any type of blow to the head that is strong enough to cause a contusion. Examples can be falling objects, hard falls, fighting, vehicular accidents, head to head contact in a physical sport, malfunctioning of equipment, and slips and falls. Trauma to the side of the head have been stronger correlated than trauma to the crown .
Who is at Risk?
-Construction workers
-Dock Workers
-Firefighters
-Police Officers
-Professional Athletes
-Delivery drivers
-Taxi Drivers
-Plumbers
-Electricians
-Commercial Painters
What to do if I suffer a brain injury/concussion?
The first thing you should do is receive medical attention to take care of the issue. The second thing you should do is file a DWC-1, which is a first report of injury form for workers. Any employee who has suffered any type of brain injury at work is eligible for Worker’s Comp. Benefits. Benefits include medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages (up to 2/3rds).
If you’ve suffered a brain injury at work and been neglected compensation, you must take action. Not only is it immoral for an employer to neglect you, it is against NJ State Law! At the Morano Firm, we are strongly committed to defending clients who have been wrongfully neglected by their employers for injury benefits – especially head trauma! If you’ve suffered a brain injury/concussion at work and believe you’ve been neglected by your employer to pay for your medical expense, Call The Morano Law Firm LLC Today: 201-598-5019 for a no cost, no obligation meeting to discuss your individual case. We will make sure you receive the benefits you deserve and the treatment to get you back to work!
Amputation Injuries in the Work Place
There are hundreds of different types of amputations that can occur when you are severely injured in a work-related 
accident. One that comes to mind immediately would be a construction worker cutting off his fingers or hand at the wrist when carelessly cutting a two by four. Another would be a tree surgeon climbing a tree with a chain saw and slipping as a result of miscalculating the direction of a falling limb, accidentally grabbing onto the cutting edge of his moving chain saw. A butcher at a supermarket is chopping, cutting and slicing all day long and it’s hard to find one who hasn’t cut off at least a part of a finger at some point. Deli workers use slicers, butchers chefs use knives, woodworkers and metal workers use drills and saws …. all powerful equipment capable of removing a finger, hand or arm in a split second. And as devastating as losing a digit or a limb can be, if your are involved in a work-related amputation accident you actually have a bigger problem to worry about and that is what to do next in the event an amputation accident happens to you so that you don’t die.
What To Do In The Event Of An Amputation Accident
Calling 911 or your company’s emergency medical team might be a little difficult if you now have only one hand or arm, but if you can reach your cell phone and dial 911 you should. If you are alone you should yell as loud as possible for help. If there are others with you they can and should immediately make the 911 call to get professional medical help to the scene as quickly as possible. In an amputation accident there will be a massive loss of blood. You and your coworkers should use a belt, rope, cord or item of clothing to make a tourniquet slightly above the point of amputation to slow the blood loss. Elevate the limb as much as possible so that gravity aids in slowing the blood loss. Sit or lay down and stay calm so that your heart rate normalizes and wait for help to arrive.
After you have received the best possible medical treatment you should call The Morano Law Firm LLC as we are experienced and knowledgeable New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyers and have dealt with many total and partial New Jersey work-related amputation cases in the past. We can get you compensation for your medical and rehabilitation expenses as well as replacement and continuance of your lost wages. We know our way through every in and out of Workers’ Compensation Law so we can cut right through to the important issues that govern your individual situation. We know the dangers that you face everyday on the job ,and we will insure that your New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Amputation claim is maximized. Call The Morano Law Firm LLC Today: 201-598-5019
Don’t Be Afraid to File a Civil Worker’s Comp Case
Thousands of people each year are injured on the job. Thousands of employers each year neglect the injured person’s medical recovery expense. If you have been injured at work, and your employer did not cover for your medical expense, you have an excellent civil case to retaliate. (*Note: This does not imply to individual contractors).
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a “no fault” insurance program that provides the following benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses.
-Medical Benefits
-Temporary Total Benefits
-Permanent Partial Benefits
-Permanent Total Benefits
It also provides death benefits to dependents of workers who have died as a result of their employment
NJ State Law on Worker’s Comp Negligence: 34:15-1.
Employees’ right to recover for negligent injury; willful negligence as defense; jury question. When personal injury is caused to an employee by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, of which the actual or lawfully imputed negligence of the employer is the natural and proximate cause, he shall receive compensation therefor from his employer, provided the employee was himself not willfully negligent at the time of receiving such injury, and the question of whether the employee was willfully negligent shall be one of fact to be submitted to the jury, subject to the usual superintending powers of a court to set aside a verdict rendered contrary to the evidence.
Negligence by the employer can lead to a civil case in law division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. The majority of work related injuries are filed through the workers’ compensation court system which is governed by the New Jersey Department of Labor. Most cases filed by the employee in workers’ compensation court against the employer lead to benefits to that employee. Those benefits may take the form of a cash settlement, temporary benefits for time missed due to injury and medical treatment for on the job injuries paid 100% by the employer (generally the employer’s workers’ compensation carrier). Corey Morano specializes in defending Worker’s Comp Cases you rightfully deserve to win.
If you’ve been neglected from worker’s compensation, you must take action. Not only is it immoral for an employer to neglect you, it is against NJ State Law! At the Morano Firm, we are strongly committed to defending clients who have been wrongfully neglected by their employers for injury benefits. If you’ve been injured at work and believe you’ve been neglected by your employer to pay for your medical expense, Call The Morano Law Firm LLC Today: 201-598-5019 for a no cost, no obligation meeting to discuss your individual case.
Types of Burn Injuries in the Work Place – New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Attorney on Your Side
According to OSHA, The Occupational Safety Health Administration, over 5000 persons every year are admitted to 
the hospital with work-related burn injuries. Workplace burns can range from the minor, burning your hand on a hot plate in a restaurant, to partial electrocuting oneself. No matter the degree or severity or your work-related burn injury, The Morano Law Firm LLC is there to help you. Burns at work often lead to cases decided in New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Court
Although there are hundreds of ways one can experience a burn injury at work, most fall into one of the three common types of work-related burn injuries, thermal, chemical and electrical. These are the types of burn injuries in the work place.
Thermal Burns
Thermal burns are those caused by fires, hot water and explosions. Cooks who work in various types of restaurants are the most frequent victims of thermal burn injuries. A boiling pot of water or sauce, cooking entrees on hot burners and reaching in and out of hot ovens all have the potential for cause burn injuries. Because of the requirement to work quickly, it is not unusual for cooks at a restaurant to get some kind of minor burn every night.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns are caused when an acidic liquid or chemical comes in contact with the skin. People who work in high tech and assembly lines are often required to solder or otherwise chemically join one thing to another and any error can cause chemicals to come in contact with the skin. A cleaning person who uses caustic chemicals to clean surfaces in home renovations or otherwise everyday cleaning is also exposed to the potential for chemical burn injuries on a daily basis.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns are when one touches an electrically charged object like a live wire. Electricians are obviously the most likely to receive electrical burns or worse as they are around and touching live wires all day everyday as a function of their profession. Electricians are highly trained as to the safety precautions that they must take in order to safely do their job.
From burning your hand on a hot plate, to spilling cleaning solutions on yourself, to touching the wrong electrically charged wire, there are many ways in which people can get burned when simply doing their jobs. The Morano Law Firm are experienced New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Burn Attorneys. We know the dangers that you face in simply doing your job everyday, and we will fight for you to make sure that your New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Burn claim is maximized in your favor. Call The Morano Law Firm LLC Today: 201-598-5019
Construction Site Accidents and New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law
Finding a top New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Construction Site Accidents is important for the success of your case. Some work places are more dangerous than others and the precautions that one has to take into consideration to be safe are as different as night and day. Although they can sometimes be the cause of serious, debilitating injuries, office workers have little more than stress, headaches and repetitive motion injuries like carpel tunnel syndrome to worry about. A construction worker, factory worker, farmer or other laborer on the other hand literally put their lives on the line every day when they go to work. Safety precautions to them are first and foremost on their mind as there are so many ways that they can be injured or killed while on the job such as being hit by a falling object, falling off or a beam or scaffolding, or by being electrocuted.
Falling Object Construction Site Accidents
Construction workers must constantly be thinking about being hit by objects falling from above. A worker on a 10-story apartment building for example must be aware that even one brick or bolt falling from a height of over 100 feet could kill them instantly, even if they were wearing their required hard hat. Sometime entire lots of building materials can become unstable, tip over and spill onto the ground floors many stories below, severely injuring or killing unsuspecting construction workers. Large cranes used in construction sometimes tip over in severe weather and this create yet another potential hazard for construction workers.
Falling From Scaffolding Construction Site Accidents
Construction workers are required to work on tall buildings, sometimes many tens of stories high, but I don’t have to tell you that serious injuries and death can occur from falling even one story or about 25 feet while on the job. During the early stages of construction, workers have to walk on narrow planks and scaffolding, carrying heavy tools to build the building’s infrastructure. A strong wind or one miss-step can spell disaster if one is not constantly on guard and aware of the potential for a falling accident.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that approximately 25,000 construction workers are injured and 30-40 are killed every year in construction fall accidents.
Source: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3252/3252.html
Electrocution at Construction Site Accidents
A major cause of injury and death at construction sites is that of electrical shock. Most machinery like drills and riveters as well as lights run on electricity that has to be established at the site and up to code before construction can begin. Electrical cord stretching hundreds of feet can become frayed, damaged and worn creating an electrical shock hazard. Electrical tools themselves become worn and damaged causing an electrical shock hazard. Also, workers can accidentally come into contact with temporary overhead electrical power lines which can cause instant electrocution, injury or death.
At The Morano Law Firm LLC, we specialize in New Jersey workers’ compensation claims for those who have been injured in work-related accidents or those who have become injured in the workplace over the course of time. We also have experience suing contractors who have cause workers to become injured or killed due to the contractor’s negligence in providing construction workers with a safe work environment. We know workers compensation benefits law thoroughly and we’ll fight the insurance companies on your behalf to make sure you get the just, fair compensation you deserve. Call The Morano Law Firm LLC Today: 201-598-5019 for a no cost, no obligation meeting to discuss your individual case.
Repetitive Stress Injuries in the Workplace – Understanding New Jersey Occupational Claims for Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ Compensation claims. We are experienced workers’ compensation lawyers and are knowledgeable in all types of repetitive stress injuries. Computer use, bar code scanners checkout clerks, and fixed position work activities are three of the most common causes of repetitive stress injuries in the work place. These types of claims are also commonly referred to as occupational claims.Lower Back Injuries in the Workplace
Lower back injuries can be the be the result of any number of work-related activities. Bending over to pick up a heavy object, shoveling or sweeping materials, or hopping in and out of a work vehicle from an elevated cab to name just a few. Of all the work-related injuries that result in workers’ compensation claims, lower back injuries are the most common. If you are suffering from lower back pain as a result of an accident or event at work, or as a result of a repetitive motion that your job requires you to do, give our firm a call. We are experienced New Jersey lower back injury workers’ compensation attorneys and would like nothing more that to see that you are compensated for your suffering. The following are three common types of lower-back related pain caused by work related injuries.
According to http://www.spine-health.com, there are several classifications of lower back pain; Axial low back pain, Lumbar sciatica pain, and Low back radiant pain.
– Axial Lower Back Pain
The most common type of lower back pain is Axial lower back pain. This is the type of pain that is confined to one spot in the lower back and does not travel to other areas of the body. This type of pain can be constant and effect all aspects of your daily life including activities as simple as standing up or walking from one location to another. Axial lower back pain is usually relieved by resting and is acute meaning that it will go away completely in a few weeks if treated properly and allowed time to heal without aggravation. Other times Axial lower back pain can be a precursor to more serious and chronic back pain. Most times however treatment will include complete rest for a period of time usually around 6-12 weeks and ice/heat treatments.
– Lumbar Radiculopathy
Lumbar Radiculopathy or commonly called “Sciatica”, is also a very common form of back pain. It normally occurs as result of the compression of Sciatic nerve. This is a radiant pain meaning you could feel the pain in your lower back, but also think that something else is wrong with your legs as the pain radiates down your buttocks and thighs. One way to suspect that you have a compression of your sciatic nerve is if the pain start in your lower back and only travels down one leg and not the other. Constantly hopping on and off equipment or jumping down off heights for months or years while on the job has been known to cause chronic sciatica pain.
– Referred Lower Back Pain
Finally low back pain with referred pain produces a dull, achy pain that radiates throughout the lower back, groin and legs and makes even sitting or lying down uncomfortable or sometimes unbearable. Unlike Sciatica, radiant back pain is not caused by nerve compression and effects more than one side of the body.
Back injuries can cause permanent or temporary disability and as a result you may have to endure the pain and suffering of surgery and a physical rehabilitation program that could last months or years. You need to get the evaluation of experienced doctors who have seen how serious your particular back injury can be and how it could effect your ability to continue to do your job. Company doctors may or may not have your best interests in mind when evaluating you as they work for your employer or your employer’s insurance company. Their objectives could actually be contrary to yours as they seek to minimize the diagnosis of your claim as well as minimize the financial liability of for the company. You need to get our objective second opinion before filing or settling a workers’ compensation claim.
At The Morano Law Firm LLC, we have clients that have suffered all types of back injuries and have successfully maximized their New Jersey worker’s compensation claims. We know workers compensation benefits law like the back of our hand and we’ll fight the insurance companies tooth and nail on your behalf to make sure you get the just, fair compensation you deserve. Give us a call today for a free no cost, no obligation consultation. Give us a call at 201-598-5019 for a free consultation and discuss your case today.
Experienced New Jersey Workers Compensation Attorneys Can Help – Short Answers to Big Questions on Your Case!
You need an New Jersey Workers Comp lawyer because the insurance company involved is interested in resolving your claim as cheaply as possible and is not concerned about your best interests. Without an aggressive attorney you are likely to not get benefits or get less than you actually deserve.
Don’t be afraid to call us at 201-598-5019 and ask questions right now. Here are a few things to be concerned about:
- How can I get an advance from the Workers Comp Insurance Company?
- How can my weekly checks be increased? – The maximum weekly benefits are guided by statute, but, its important to understand you are getting everything you deserve.
- How can I change doctors or get a second opinion? – First we ask nicely, then we file motions with the Court.
- Should I be worried about being fired? – Retaliation by employers on employees for workers’ comp claims is protected by the law.1
- Should I see a chiropractor/acupuncturist/massage therapist ? – You should start with any and all treatment approved by the workers’ comp insurance company because it is covered 100%.
- How much can I get for my lump sum settlement? – It varies dramatically based on your injury and your rate. Click on this chart for starters. (ever wonder if your big toe is worth more than your other toes? – FYI – it does)
Want longer and more detailed answers? Call 201-598-5019 or email coreymorano@gmail.com today! If you have a workers compensation claim, we have the experience and knowledge to represent injured workers.
Are New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Settlements Taxable?
People always ask if their workers’ compensation payments are taxable. Its a great question as you know that old joke that the only things 
that are certain are death and taxes. Fortunately, we’ve got good news for you!
According to the IRS website, ” Amounts you receive as workers’ compensation for an occupational sickness or injury are fully exempt from tax if they are paid under a workers’ compensation act or a statute in the nature of a workers’ compensation act. The exemption also applies to your survivors. The exemption, however, does not apply to retirement plan benefits you receive based on your age, length of service, or prior contributions to the plan, even if you retired because of an occupational sickness or injury.”
Furthermore, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor’s website, “Workers’ compensation benefits are not taxable as per the NJ Gross Income Tax law NJSA 54A:6-6.”
If you or anyone you know would like to speak to a New Jersey Workers’ Compensation attorney, please call Corey Morano at The Morano Law Firm for a free consultation at 201-598-5019 or email newjerseylawyernow@gmail.com today!