Harrisburg Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Crew member dies after fall on Pennsylvania movie set

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates posted in Workplace Injuries on Friday, October 19, 2018.

It's been less than a year since the documentary film about the children's show icon Fred Rogers -- Won't You Be My Neighbor? -- first captured audiences' hearts at the Sundance Film Festival. Now another film about the beloved host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is in production here in Pennsylvania, starring another beloved figure -- Tom Hanks.

Tragedy struck the Mt. Lebanon set of the biopic on the evening of Oct. 11. A sound mixer was killed after a two-story fall. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is still investigating the incident. Sony Pictures, the studio behind the film, also said that it's investigating it.

Cardiovascular disease is a real threat for some workers

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates posted in workplace illness on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

Certain jobs carry with them an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Some do so because job-related tasks are stressful or overly sedentary, workers are exposed to excessive amounts of pollutants or are forced to work fluctuating schedules. Each of these factors can make workers more vulnerable to developing heart disease than others.

Emergency responders

Broken leg treatment options

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates posted in Workplace Injuries on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.

A broken leg is a painful injury that can keep you off your feet for an extended period of time. If you have reason to believe you've suffered this injury, you shouldn't hesitate to seek medical attention.

There are many types of broken leg injuries, including:

Closed fracture
Open fracture
Complete fracture
Incomplete fracture
Displaced fracture
Greenstick fracture

Avoid a rush hour accident by following these tips

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.

Even if you do your best to avoid rush hour traffic, it's not always possible to do so. There will be times when you find yourself in gridlock, not-quite-grinning and bearing it.

While sitting in traffic is bad enough, things can get even worse if you're part of an accident. Here are five tips you can follow to avoid a rush hour accident:

Pay attention: When traffic is moving slowly, you may be tempted to send a text message, make a phone call or even browse online with your smartphone stuck to your dashboard invitingly. All of these things are distractions that can take your mind off the task at hand, thus increasing the risk of an accident.
Leave more time in your schedule: You don't want to be in a hurry when sitting in traffic, as it could cause you to take risks on the road. If you leave extra time in your schedule, you won't feel additional pressure as you sit in traffic.
Leave more following space: Even in bumper-to-bumper traffic you should do your best to leave more space between your vehicle and the one in front of yours. This gives you more time to stop, such as in the event of an emergency.
Change your route: If there's another route to your destination, try it. Even if it takes a bit longer, if you can avoid standstill traffic it may be worth it.
Stay in your lane: If there is more than one lane, you may be tempted to move around in an attempt to make up time. It may seem like the other lane is always moving faster, but that doesn't mean you should jump around. Doing this won't save you much time, but will increase the chance of a crash.

How social media can cost you workers' compensation benefits

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates posted in Workers' Compensation on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Unfortunately, some people file exaggerated or completely fraudulent claims for workers' compensation. That harms not only employers and the system as a whole but workers who are legitimately injured or ill and entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits.

To catch workers who are defrauding the system, claims adjusters and private investigators hired by insurers often have to look no further than social media. Gone are the days when insurance companies sent out people to spy on workers' homes to catch them shooting some hoops with their child in the driveway even though they supposedly tore their Achilles tendon.

Most workplace incidents are both predictable and preventable

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates posted in Workplace Injuries on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

According to a report published into the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Safe Sound, most workplace illnesses and injuries can be both predicted and prevented. One of the best ways to avoid these incidents is for workers and their supervisors to gain a better understanding as to which ones have occurred in the past and why.

OSHA's 300 log is a great place to start for those wanting to gain a better perspective about injuring accidents in a particular industry. All employers with 10 or more workers must fill out this log detailing illnesses or injuries its employees have suffered in the workplace.

Tractor rollover accidents: Do you know how to stay safe?

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

Depending on your profession, you may find yourself operating a tractor every now and again. For example, if you work in the landscaping industry, it's commonplace to spend some time on this type of equipment.

While the use of a tractor can speed up the completion of a job, it's important to understand the safety risks. If you're not careful, you could be part of a serious tractor accident, such as a rollover.

What to do if you are part of a crash in a company car

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates on Friday, September 28, 2018.

If your company provides you with a vehicle, it goes without saying that you'll take full advantage. After all, this is much better than having to use your personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

While you do your best to avoid trouble on the road, especially when operating a company car, you never know if something could go wrong. Even if you're extremely cautious, another driver could make a mistake that results in a crash.

What do federal regulators want when it comes to scaffold safety?

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Scaffolds are some of the most useful -- and dangerous -- devices you'll find at a Pennsylvania construction site. These devices allow workers to perform tasks at great, multi-story heights, while they benefit from a secure and stable working surface. Nevertheless, any time a worker is more than six feet off the ground, he or she runs the risk of falling and suffering from a life-threatening injury.

Due to the risk of falling from the scaffold -- and the risk of objects falling and hitting people below -- the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created clear scaffold safety guidelines that all workers need to be trained to understand and follow. When these guidelines are carefully adhered to, workers stand a significantly reduced chance of getting hurt or killed while working with a scaffold.

An outdoor slip-and-fall accident can cause serious injury

On behalf of Marzzacco Niven & Associates on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

Working outdoors is a great joy for many people, as they enjoy the fresh air and the ability to move around throughout the day. However, the more time you spend outdoors the greater chance there is that you could be part of an outdoor slip-and-fall accident.

Familiarity with the most common causes of outdoor slip-and-fall accidents can go a long way in helping you avoid trouble. Here are some of the most common causes of these accidents:

Ice or snow accumulation: This is a common concern during the winter months in Pennsylvania, as ice and snow can quickly accumulate in parking lots, on sidewalks and in other areas. If not cleared in the appropriate manner, this greatly increases the risk of an accident.
Inadequate lighting: If you're unable to see what you're doing, it's more difficult to avoid trouble. This can be something as simple as a parking lot that doesn't have enough lighting. For example, if you're walking to your vehicle in the dark, a lack of lighting could result in stepping in a pothole and falling to the ground.
Lack of maintenance: Your employer and/or the property owner are responsible for maintaining the grounds on which you work. If they don't, there's a greater risk of suffering an on-the-job injury. A common example is a sidewalk that's in need of repair, such as one that is uneven or crumbling.