Category Archives: Workplace/Premise Accidents

Worker's Compensation

Instances That Would Lead to a Personal Injury Claim in Addition to Your Worker’s Compensation

When you are injured at work, you are entitled to worker’s compensation benefits through your employer, but there are also some instances that would lead you to have a personal injury case in addition to the worker’s comp claim. When the accident you were involved in was the fault of someone other than your employer you may also have what is known as a third party claim that will provide you with additional compensation for your injuries—speak with a personal injury attorney in New Jersey today to learn of your legal rights to collect damages.

Accidents With Third Party Claims

For example, if you were involved in a car accident while working, you may have a claim against the insurance of the at-fault driver in addition to the worker’s compensation benefits that you are entitled to. So, in this situation your employer would be responsible for certain coverage such as your medical treatment and lost wages, but beyond that you are still able to seek compensation from the other party’s insurance policy.

Another instance where a third party claim may be available to you is in the case of a premises liability accident. Say you are at work and there is a hazard within the building such as damage to the floor and your employer does not own the building (just rents the space). If you fall because of that defect in the flooring, and it was supposed to be the responsibility of the building owner to make such repairs you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond your worker’s comp benefits.

Defend Your Legal Rights to Compensation

The same goes for any instance where the accident was caused by another person (not your employer) while in the course of your job. Some people are weary about pursing legal matter such as worker’s compensation or personal injury claims, but there is no reason to harbor bad feelings towards these areas of law. The insurance industry exists so that there is money to compensate for an unexpected incident such as an accident resulting in injury—the money is owed to you under these policies.

At Console & Hollawell, our New Jersey worker’s compensation attorneys never go after an individual to compensate you for your injuries, we only pursue insurance companies. We will handle all aspects of your worker’s compensation and third party claims while you focus solely on your recovery. For more information about your rights regarding worker’s compensation or for a free evaluation of your claim, call us today at (800) 455-2746. Rest assured that you will never have to pay for our services, if we are unable to win money for you.

Busy Businessman

5 Tips to Make Your Office Safer

For many Americans, the workplace is like a second home. You spend many hours each week there and that makes it a common place for injury. No one wants to get hurt at work, accidents do happen even in low-hazard jobs. Professional offices can have many dangers that could cause serious injury.

The following tips are not only easy to follow but will make your office a safer place to be. By taking these simple steps you can drastically reduce the chance of an unnecessary and avoidable accident.

Arranging Furniture

When it comes to the placement of desks and other furniture in your office you should consider a few things. First of all try to place furniture against a wall or patrician to keep walkways clear. Also be sure to keep bags and other products off of the floor to avoid someone tripping over them. There should be plenty of space for people to move with ease throughout the office.

Opening Cabinets and Desks

When you are going to open a file cabinet or desk drawer be sure that there is enough space to do so to avoid hitting someone. Also make sure you close the drawers when you are done with them to avoid someone running into them and getting hurt.

Office Flooring

Flooring in an office needs to allow employees to move about without tripping or slipping. If choosing a hard wood or laminate floor try to pick one that is slip resistant, with good traction. If you are going to have an area rug make sure there is padding on the bottom to prevent the carpet from moving. Carpets should be well maintained and free of tears or flaps that someone could trip on.

Chairs

In many offices one can expect to spend a good portion of their day sitting down. It is important to have chairs will adequate support to avoid harm to your neck and back. Also people tend to tip or rock their chairs when they are sitting and having the proper chair can reduce the possibility that they will fall. So, when possible you should get chairs that are more than 4-legged as they will be sturdier and less likely to tip or break.

Fixing Machinery

Every office has the same problem the fax machine or printer constantly breaking. Instead of allowing employees to try their hands at fixing it, call in a professional to address the problem. Yes, it can be aggravating to have to wait to have the machinery fixed, but it is much better than having someone injure themselves trying to fix unfamiliar machines.

If you or someone you loved has been injured at work, contact the Philadelphia accident attorneys at Console & Hollawell. We will guide you through the process of getting compensated for your workplace injury. Call us today at (866) 778-5500 to set up your free consultation.

personal injury books

5 Books That Will Change the Way You View Personal Injury

People in this country typically have a negative view of personal injury law until they are actually the victim of an accident. Unfortunately, these misconceptions have been created by large companies and politicians that want the public to believe these cases are unfounded and frivolous. The truth of the matter is, people do legitimately get injured as the result of someone else’s carelessness and they then have to face the social stigma that they are just out to make a quick buck. This is not to say that there aren’t fraudulent cases because there are some people who abuse the civil justice system which perpetuated the stereotype, but this is a small percentage of the time.

The following books all show a side to personal injury and personal injury law that may surprise people. Through the tales of real life stories and experience the following novels and memoirs shatter the misbeliefs and reveal the true suffering behind an accident. They are moving and could change the way you view personal injury forever.

1. An Almost Life – Kevin Mednick

Photo credit: Amazon.

In this fictional story of a personal injury lawyer, readers get to see a side rarely portrayed—the motivations behind a lawyer representing those injured in an accident. The main character is Mike Samuels, he has been working at a New York personal injury law firm for 20 years and his world is changed forever with one case. He seems to be stuck in a rut in his life, just going through the motions until Evelyn Walker seeks his legal help. She had been seriously injured in a workplace accident. The novel follows Mike through the trial, keeping readers at the edge of their seat as they take on a big company that delves into tricks meant to thwart Evelyn’s valid claim. This ignites a fighting spirit within Mike pushing him to aggressively defend his client’s rights. It also has a humorous side to it with Mike’s musings on life and the justice system. Mednick’s debut novel takes personal injury law and exposes the truth, breaking the barriers of public belief.

2. The Unbearable Truth of Reality: Life After Head Injury – Terry Ann Johnson

Photo credit: Amazon.

This memoir immediately removes the barriers and thrusts the reader into a sobering world. A world that was once blissful and unaware until it is suddenly turned upside down after a tragic accident that resulted in a brain injury. Johnson allows the readers to come into her family, taking them through all the pain, frustrations, and confusion suffered by the family and friends of an accident victim. It is a story of one family’s strength that will inspire those who have never been in this situation and will reveal the truths of those who have.

3. Unthinkable: A Mother’s Tragedy, Terror, and Triumph Through a Child’s Traumatic Brain Injury – Dixie Coskie

Photo credit: Amazon.

Imagine you sent your child off to the bus stop only to receive a panic-stricken call from a neighbor saying there has been a car accident and your child has been hurt. It is one of the hardest things for a parent to hear. This memoir follows Coskie through her experience with her son’s accident and resulting brain injury. A necessary read for anyone faced with caring for an injured loved one, Coskie offers insight and useful tips to help get through this extremely difficult time. It portrays all of the emotions, the pain and despair, the anger and frustration, the need for answers, and the result is a moving story of overcoming these feats with strength and love.

4. An Excellent Life: One Family’s Experience with Traumatic Injury – Jody Cramer

Photo credit: Open Library.

In this memoir, Jody Cramer gives a moving account of her and her family’s struggles with her son’s traumatic injury. It sheds light on what an injured person and their friends and family must endure after an accident resulting in a serious injury. It is a stirring portrayal of the sacrifices and pain surrounding this type of injury and shows the struggles outside of the courtroom. The book also serves as a step-by-step guide for other families and caretakers of someone who is severely injured. It gives advice on everything from working with the medical staff to choosing an attorney to battling with insurance companies. Cramer selflessly lets readers into her life and the trials she has faced and will help many people as a result.

5. Wrongful Death: A Memoir – Sandra M. Gilbert

Photo credit: Amazon.

This is the moving story of one women’s experience with the loss of her husband in one of the worst ways possible. He went in to the hospital for prostate cancer surgery and never came out due to the negligent actions of his doctors. It follows Gilbert though dealing with the loss of her husband and the battle for justice. Reviewers praise Gilbert for shedding light on the taboo subject of medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. It is a women’s quest for justice and answers as to why the love of her life was taken away from her.

Whenever someone is injured as the result of someone else’s negligence the effects are long-felt and can be extremely traumatizing. As illustrated above, people really are affected by injury and accident, and the social belief that these people are greedy is far from being true. All of these books are available on Amazon.com.

If you or someone you love has been injured you need a New Jersey personal injury lawyer you can trust, one that will fight aggressively for your rights. The attorneys at Console & Hollawell have been doing just that for the past 17 years and we are ready to help you. Call us today at (866) 778-5500 to find out your legal rights and options. You don’t have to endure this on your own.