Workplace Injuries

• Just How Unfair Is Workers' Compensation?

  Bob Carroll | September 27, 2006 3:31 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  I am an attorney old enough to know that for more than 30 years the rights and benefits of workers under workers' compensation in the State of Florida have steadily declined. The question is, how long can we continue to call the system fair? Now we have a report brought to our attention by Confined Space which details the failure of workers' compensation throughout the entire country.Workers...

• Another Construction Worker Falls To Death

  Bob Carroll | September 26, 2006 11:27 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  How many times do construction workers have to fall to their deaths before proper guardrails or other barriers are put in place? The St. Petersburg Times reports another worker has died after a fall of some 10 stories.Construction worker dies in 10-story fall off liftA construction worker fell to his death Monday morning from the 10th floor of a condominium complex.Howard Theriot, 31, of St....

• Deaths In The Florida Workplace

  Bob Carroll | September 18, 2006 4:58 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  The list of workplace deaths in the past week compiled at Confined Space underscore the need for greater attention to safety. And, sadly, features a number of Florida incidents. A sampling of the list: Weekly Toll: Death In The American WorkplaceAttendant dies after struggle with maximum security patientCHATTAHOOCHEE, Fla. - An attendant at the state's largest mental hospital collapsed and...

• Ground Zero Responders Given Mixed Messages By EPA

  Bob Carroll | September 10, 2006 5:37 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Ground Zero will be remembered with many images, news stories, events and editorials as we approach its 5th anniversary. One news item should not be necessary. According to Medical News Today our government, in the tradition of its Katrina response, did not provide a clear warning to the responders and the public about the dangers in the air. As a result, 70% of the responders have developed...

• Labor Day Thoughts About A Deadly Week For U.S. Workers

  Bob Carroll | September 04, 2006 8:13 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  On Labor Day we should pause to realize how many workers in the U.S. die each week performing their duties, providing needed services, building our homes, transporting our goods, supporting their families and chasing the American Dream. Confined Space provides a listing of the weekly death toll for us to review.Weekly Toll: Death In The American WorkplaceTree service worker dies as saw taps...

• Shortage Of OSHA Inspectors In Florida

  Bob Carroll | August 31, 2006 7:30 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Thanks to Confined Space for this explanation of the lack of workplace inspections by OSHA. SHOCKED! Not Enough OSHA InspectorsFollowing the death of a construction worker who fell from the roof of the 30-story building to the sixth floor deck, Jacksonville, Florida media seem surprised that there aren't enough OSHA inspectors to ensure that workplaces are safe.According to Charles Sorenson, an...

• TampaBays10.com Details Construction Site Fall To Death

  Bob Carroll | August 26, 2006 12:30 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  TampaBays10.com is breaking the news of a tragic construction site death in Southwest Florida. Sadly, it is a story of preventable mistakes I have heard before. Construction worker falls to death in EsteroSouthwest Florida authorities say a construction worker fell 21 stories to his death through a ventilation shaft at a high-rise work site.The Lee County Sheriff's Office says 24-year-old Jose...

• Falling Debris Kills Two Workers

  Bob Carroll | August 16, 2006 7:28 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Fellow InjuryBoard blogger, Richard R. Schlueter in Atlanta, posts the sad story of two workers killed when a front end loader caused debris to fall 19 floors on a construction site. The events occurred in Dallas, but they could just as easily occur in Atlanta or Tampa Bay. In Florida, the families of the workers would have rights under our Workers' Compensation Laws and potential rights...

• Injured Worker Intentionally Deprived Of Necessary Medical Care

  Bob Carroll | June 29, 2006 5:46 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  The summary of the case sounds almost academic. Claims based on injuries intentionally inflicted by an insurance carrier during claims administration process are not barred by workers' compensation immunity JOSEPH THRISTINO v. CRAWFORD & COMPANY; PARTNERS IN HEALTH; TENET HEALTH CARE CORPORATION, 4th District, 31 Fla. L. Weekly D1761aBut the allegations of the complaint are far from academic. ...

• Florida Courts Say One Thing And Do Another In Workplace Injuries

  Bob Carroll | June 17, 2006 6:24 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Almost every year the rights of injured workers are decreased. This process has many working parts. Usually, the Florida Legislature passes some reduction in the benefits available under the Florida Workers' Compensation Law. Or, it passes some procedural change in the claims process. Or, it further eliminates the ability of injured workers to bring civil actions against the wrongdoers who...