Workers’ Compensation

There are many expectations for the holidays. Families in Massachusetts expect to spend time together opening gifts and making new memories, for example. Unfortunately, one family is now mourning the loss of their loved one after a fatal workplace accident. While details of the incident are unclear, the family may be considering what death benefits rights exist for them under the state's workers' compensation laws. The accident reportedly occurred on Christmas Eve at Inner-Tite Corp, a company that manufactures locks and other types of security devices used on gas, telecommunications, electric and water meters. While a representative for the Occupational Safety and…

As many in Massachusetts are likely aware, working on a car can sometimes have hidden dangers. If the work involves raising or lowering a vehicle, for example, the worker could face a significant risk. Unfortunately, a recent out-of-state workplace accident has resulted in a fatality and a serious injury due to an exploding tire. The incident happened at a Sears Auto Center one day in December. A customer reportedly asked a Sears employee to place a tire on a specific rim. Unfortunately, while the 22-year-old male employee did so, the tire exploded. Debris reportedly struck both the employee and the…

The potential for injury at work is a real concern for millions of workers. Not only can a workplace accident in Massachusetts result in medical bills, a person injured while performing his or her job responsibilities may be unable to work while he or she recovers. Investigators are continuing their investigation into an accident that, unfortunately, sent 11 workers to the hospital recently. News reports indicate that the accident occurred at approximately 7 a.m. one morning on a day in mid-December. The injuries reportedly happened as a result of an equipment malfunction at Axiall Corp, a company that manufactures chemicals such as…

For the most part, those who work in a high school likely feel relatively safe as they complete their job responsibilities.  There is little heavy machinery or toxic materials, for example. However, no workplace in Massachusetts is completely free from all dangers. For example, a custodian in a different state was recently injured in a workplace accident involving a boiler. According to reports, the custodian was attempting to light a boiler one day in early December at a high school. Unfortunately, the boiler could not contain the fire. The resulting eruption burned the man. A representative for the county declined…

There are many dangerous jobs. However, a firefighter is likely a position that encompasses the most obvious types of dangers. From rushing into burning buildings to assisting at car accidents on busy interstates, firefighters place their lives at risk from a workplace injury every time they respond to an emergency. For example, two firefighters were recently injured while responding to an incident involving a train in Massachusetts. The incident occurred in early December. According to reports, a MBTA train struck a 42-year-old woman, pinning her underneath. Unfortunately, she passed away as a result of the incident. In addition to the fatality, two…

There are hidden dangers in all aspects of life -- especially in the workplace. While employees can take certain safety precautions, many dangers cannot be completely avoided. As a result, Massachusetts requires employers to provide workers' compensation insurance coverage in the event workers are injured while completing their job responsibilities.  These benefits will likely be needed after an out-of-state incident killed two men and injured another. Police say that an employee of SPX Transformer Solutions was working in a transformer one evening in late November when he became unresponsive. Two more workers then entered the transformer. One of them also became unresponsive.…

People in Massachusetts who are injured on the job may find themselves struggling to bounce back both physically and financially. Fortunately, workers' compensation can help in both areas. One utilities worker in another state recently suffered injuries on the job at a wastewater treatment plant. The workplace accident took place on a Wednesday. Authorities said the accident happened when a district wastewater treatment plant catwalk broke. The employee ended up falling between 25 and 30 feet. District managers said there was no reason to think that the injured worker was not abiding by safety protocols and guidelines. The incident was reported to…

There are many professions that the majority of people would agree hold a great deal of dangers. While the dangers that soldiers, fire fighters and police officers face may be obvious, many people in Massachusetts may not fully realize the dangers that those who work with heavy machinery often encounter. Unfortunately, a recent accident illustrates these dangers after two workers experienced a serious workplace injury. The two victims are employees of an out-of-state manufacturer of automobile carpeting. The fire chief who was called to the scene says they received a call one morning in mid-November about two employees who were…

Workers in Massachusetts encounter potential dangers in their workplace everyday. If these dangers are known, they can take preventative actions to help preserve their safety. Unfortunately, dangers are not always known. Even if they are, a workplace accident cannot always be prevented. For example, officials are expected to conduct an investigation regarding a recent fatal fall. The accident happened in early November. The 57-year-old male victim was on the roof of a business, apparently working to install solar panels. According to reports, he was carrying a panel when he stepped on a skylight that officials have described as cheap glass. A co-worker…

The vast majority of businesses in Massachusetts are committed to providing a workplace free of hazards to employees. Regrettably, unexpected events occur even when employees are performing relatively routine tasks. For example, one out-of-state man was recently killed in a workplace accident. The accident happened as the 28-year-old man was working with a forklift. Reports indicate that he was using it to support a boom -- a procedure that is considered routine. However, the boom began to slip from the forklift, causing the latter to tip over. The man exited the forklift but was struck in the head by the…