Epileptic Seizure Sidelines Minnesota Head Coach During Halftime

This past Saturday, Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Jerry Kill suffered a seizure mid-game while his football team was playing Western Illinois. Luckily, Kill was said to be “resting comfortably” after the incident, suffering no serious injuries, and the Gophers even went on to win the game.

For Kill, such episodes are unfortunately common. The Minnesota coach has experienced epileptic seizures during a game on two other separate occasions, with the last one occurring in October of last year. And during one week in September 2011, an onslaught of more than ten seizures forced him to stay away from the team. But despite his condition, he’s never missed a game’s start, and has built a solid overall winning record as a collegiate head coach at 139-89.

Jerry Kill’s ability to amass over one hundred wins as a coach despite battling recurring epileptic seizures is certainly impressive and even inspiring. Still, it’s clear that living with epilepsy can be extremely debilitating and interfere enormously with vital activities like work. While epilepsy can be controlled by medication in many, others are forced to contend with seizures that can occur without warning and lead to disastrous consequences. As a result, epilepsy destroys the ability of many to earn a living.

It is possible to receive Social Security Disability benefits for epilepsy if its effects are preventing you from working. To learn more, please contact us today; we’ll take the time to answer all of your questions about epilepsy and disability.

Preventing Workplace Violence

Almost two million American workers report being victimized by workplace violence every year, and workplace homicides are the fourth leading cause of occupation-related death in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). Women are even more at risk, as homicide causes more on-the-job deaths among female workers than any other factor. These eye-opening statistics may even belie the true extent of workplace violence in America, as many cases of violence at work go unreported.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines workplace violence as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening, disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.” In addition to employees, on-the-job violence can affect and involve clients, customers, and visitors as well.

Not surprisingly, OSHA identifies factors like working in areas with high crime rates, where alcohol is served, or with volatile, unstable people as likely to increase the chances of experiencing violence in the workplace. Those particularly at risk include delivery drivers, healthcare professionals, public service workers, law enforcement personnel, and workers who exchange money with the public.

To reduce workplace violence, OSHA recommends that employers implement a zero-tolerance policy applying to both workers and anyone who comes in contact with company personnel. Also, having a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program in place in addition to providing further training and resources to protect workers in high risk industries can significantly reduce the risk of victimization by on-the-job violence as well.

Workplace violence is an extremely serious matter. If you’ve been a victim of violence at work in Pennsylvania, our Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

The Dangers of Transvaginal Mesh

Since their introduction over a decade ago, transvaginal mesh implants have been linked to injuries in thousands of women. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a report finding that vaginal mesh products pose a high risk to patients, cautioning doctors to warn women of problems associated with these devices. Around 30,000 lawsuits have been filed by women claiming injuries suffered as a result of defective transvaginal mesh products, and manufacturers have paid out millions of dollars in damages to victims of malfunctioned implants.

Transvaginal mesh implant failure can result in serious complications that can cause severe injury, even death. Often, an implant’s jagged edge will erode or pass through the vaginal wall, where it can cut or perforate other organs, such as the bladder. This severe damage can require multiple surgeries to correct. Other complications from transvaginal mesh failure include intense pain, bleeding, infection, scarring, painful sexual intercourse, and even nerve and neuromuscular damage. The FDA has estimated that transvaginal mesh failure rates may be as high as 10 percent.

Transvaginal mesh devices involved in lawsuits have included the Gynecare TVT, Avaulta, Gynemesh, Elevate, Perigee, and Apogee implants. If you have suffered health complications because of these devices, or any transvaginal mesh implant, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact an attorney today to learn your rights and find out if you have a claim for damages.

Pennsylvania Ranked Fifth Among Most Dangerous States for Workers

Pennsylvania may be the fifth most dangerous state for workers in the country, according to a new study. Based on 2011 data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the study highlights both the most dangerous states in which to work and the most hazardous industries for workers in the U.S.

After an analysis of rates of injuries which involve “days of job transfer or restriction,” Pennsylvania emerged with a rate of 0.8 such injury cases per 100 workers, tying the keystone state with eight others for fifth place on the ignominious list. Maine took the top spot with nearly double the rate, while New York was the relative safest at 0.1 cases for every 100 workers. Though differences in environment and the ways that workplace injuries are classified and reported from state to state inevitably threaten to skew the findings of such research, this study does provide a valuable snapshot of job-related injury rates that calls attention to the prevalence of work injuries nationwide.

The study further ranks the industries with the highest occurrences of work injuries in the U.S., and according to the findings, amusement park workers may have the most dangerous job in the country. Those employed in the amusement park/arcade industry group face a rate of 3.2 transfer or restriction days per 100 workers. Animal slaughtering/processing workers are only slightly behind with a rate of 3.1, while employees in the beverage manufacturing and foundry industries can expect to see an average of 2.7 transfer/restriction days for every 100 workers.

While workers’ compensation law varies between states, it’s clear that workers injured on the job deserve fair compensation regardless of their state or industry. In Pennsylvania, our Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys can help you get the PA workers’ compensation benefits to which you’re entitled. Contact us to learn more about workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania.

Social Security Halts Usage of the Term “Mental Retardation”

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Thursday that it will no longer use the term “mental retardation,” instead replacing it with “intellectual disability” in its official Listing of Impairments and other regulations. The SSA cites the widespread adoption of the term “intellectual disability” by Congress, government agencies, and various public and private organizations as impetus of the change, along with the negative and often offensive nature of the term “mental retardation” in modern language as well. The SSA’s voluntary change comes less than three years after President Obama signed Rosa’s Law, which updated language in federal health, education, and labor policy statutes with the terms “intellectual disability” or “individual with an intellectual disability.”

Importantly, the adjustment in terminology will not affect who qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits. This includes prospective or current applicants as well as those who have already qualified for benefits with a diagnosis of “mental retardation.” The change appears simply to reflect the trend towards the use of modern, respectful language to refer to people with disabilities of all varieties.

To learn more, read our summary of the SSA’s requirements regarding intellectual disability and Social Security Disability benefits, or contact our firm today.

Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation: An Overview

Workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania is a benefit system intended to help workers who've suffered illness or injury on the job. In accordance with the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, those hurt at work are entitled to appropriate compensation for their injuries.

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits provide for payments to cover a variety of expenses and losses, including:

• Payment for medical expenses and treatment. Generally, this can include emergency care, follow-up treatment with doctors, physical rehabilitation visits, and even transportation expenses incurred as a result of the work injury or illness. 
• Payments for lost wages. Typically, recipients get two-thirds of their weekly wage, although lost wage payments can vary. Learn more about lost wage benefits.
• Specific loss payments. Specific loss benefits are intended to compensate an injured worker for a permanent loss of functionality, such as following amputation, severe disfigurement, or loss of vision or hearing. 
• Physical or vocational rehabilitation services. Participation in certain physical or vocational rehabilitation programs is covered under workers' compensation in Pennsylvania. 
• Payment of benefits in case of death. In Pennsylvania, death benefits provide compensation for lost wages and, in applicable cases, a capped amount for funeral and burial expenses as well. 

There's little doubt that the workers' compensation system can be very complicated and hard to understand. If you've been injured on the job, you could benefit greatly from hiring an experienced workers' compensation attorney to handle your claim. Contact us today; we'll answer all of your questions about workers' compensation in Pennsylvania.

Healthcare Workers at High Risk for Musculoskeletal Injuries

Musculoskeletal disorders, conditions that affect the nerves, tendons, muscles, and supporting structures, account for a significant number of work injuries. Often caused by overexertion and heavy lifting, these injuries affect thousands of workers a year in various industries. Surprisingly, the highest rates of musculoskeletal disorders (or MSDs) occur not among such workers as construction laborers or freight, stock, and material movers, but among nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants.

Work injuries caused by physical overexertion in the healthcare industry are often related to manual patient handling. These activities involve heavy manual lifting associated with moving patients and working in awkward and uncomfortable postures. The lower back and shoulders are most often affected, and sprains and strains are the most common types of injuries.

Work-related musculoskeletal injuries among nurses are often costly, raising medical expenses, disability compensation, and costs associated with missed work and turnover, to name a few. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) website, direct and indirect costs associated with back injuries alone are estimated to be $20 billion annually. But nurses that experience pain and fatigue due to MSDs may also be endangering others as well; healthcare workers suffering from such injuries may be less attentive and productive, putting the health and safety of patients at risk as a result.

In order to prevent these injuries, OSHA recommends relying on transfer and lifting devices for moving patients, along with the education and training of healthcare workers about safe practices for patient handling. To learn more about workers’ compensation and MSDs, contact our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers today.