Blog

Can you file a workers’ comp claim for a food allergy?

Aug 13, 2016

Workers injured on the job can file claims after being injured in various ways: falls, explosions, amputations and caught-in-between accidents being some of the more common, at least on construction sites. But what if you work in an office where the dangers are not so readily apparent, but you’re allergic to peanuts, or dairy? But can you file a claim after suffering from an allergic reaction to food? A minor allergic reaction might not be...

Insurers look to exclude sports-related concussions

Aug 11, 2016

Athletes considering suing over a brain injury sustained in a contact sport may want to do so sooner rather than later. That’s because insurers, spooked by the increase in litigation over sports-related head injuries, may be moving to make exclusions for professional athletes who sustain head injuries during play. The insurance company AIG, for example, has already excluded head injuries from its policies covering NFL players, and has entirely stopped insuring Pop Warner, a youth...

Are you a road rager?

Aug 5, 2016

If so, you're not alone. According to a recent report on aggressive driving put out by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, taken from a survey of 2,705 licensed drivers in 2014, 78% of drivers had engaged in some sort of aggressive driving behavior in the previous year. Not sure if you're an aggressive driver? You can take this test online. According to the report, the most common aggressive driving behaviors included: Tailgating Yelling Honking...

Tired truckers find relief in parking app

Jul 30, 2016

Willie Nelson couldn't wait to get back on the road again. But for truckers who just logged a long day behind the wheel, sometimes all they want is a parking spot. Increasingly a good parking spot is hard to find for truckers. When they can find one, they must either continue to drive while fatigued until they find one, or else park on an off ramp, along the side of a highway or even in...

Unsecured boats atop cars can cause crashes

Jul 28, 2016

As we move into mid-to-late summer, many people are trying to get out on the water as much as they can before the weather turns cold. But when their haste means that kayaks or canoes don't get properly secured, tragic accidents can result. Boats are great on water. In the middle of a busy highway, they're much less fun. Last week in Michigan, two kayaks tumbled from the top of a moving SUV. In trying...

Retaliation claims a growing trend in workers’ comp law

Jul 15, 2016

Filing for and securing workers' compensation after an on-the-job injury can be a complicated process in itself. But life becomes even more complicated if you lose your job after filing a claim. Fortunately, it is becoming increasingly common for workers to win cases based on workers' compensation retaliation. Most states have legal provisions that prohibit employers from retaliating against workers' who file for workers' compensation benefits. But proving retaliation can sometimes be tricky; particularly if...

Truck accident fatalities increased in 2015

Jul 13, 2016

According to data collected in a report by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of fatalities resulting from truck crashes increased by 4 percent between 2014 and 2015. Overall traffic deaths increased over the same time period by 7.7 percent. While the reasons for the increase in fatalities are still unclear, the report also cited data from the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) showing that drivers traveled 3.5 percent more miles in 2015 than...

Is Obesity A Disability?

Jul 6, 2016

Not unless the condition results from an underlying physical disorder, according to a recent ruling from the Court of Appeals in the Eighth Circuit. In the case in question, a man had been offered a machinist job, contingent on a post-hire medical review. The man, who had claimed on his application to suffer no medical impairments, later lost the job when the medical review revealed that his BMI was greater than 40, which would disqualify him...

Help us help the Union Police Department add a canine officer

Jul 6, 2016

We are proud to partner with the Union Township Police Department to raise funds for the addition of a dual purpose canine to the department. The initial cost of the program exceeds $50,000. We have agreed to match all donations up to a total of $2,500 in order to help the department add the canine officer. The police department proudly serves the residents of Union Township. The addition of a canine would enhance public safety during missing person’s investigations,...

The word “accident” may be going out of style

Jun 30, 2016

Some advocates are pushing journalists and policymakers to stop using the word 'accident' when describing a car crash, believing that the word minimizes the responsibility of the person who caused the crash. With many car crashes being the result of drunken or distracted driving, these advocates may have a point, although the practical implications of switching from 'accident' to 'crash' remain to be seen. Those who don't like the word 'accident' believe that the word...