Another round of wintry weather in Michigan has left cars mangled and people in the hospital. A 70-car pile-up on I-94 near Kalamazoo grabbed much of the headlines as several people sustained serious injuries and one person was killed. The pile-up included two semis, one carrying fireworks and the other a toxic substance. The massive wreck is being attributed to slick streets and low visibility.Continue reading
Saginaw Workers' Compensation Law Blog
Can I sue my employer for injuries sustained on the job?
One of the most common questions injured employees ask is whether they can sue their employers for getting hurt on the job. The answer depends on the circumstances surrounding the injury. Michigan, like many other states, has adopted what is called an exclusive remedy provision. In exchange for employers providing workers’ compensation insurance to all employees, there is a regulation which then prohibits employees fromContinue reading
New rules regarding workers’ compensation reimbursement
A new rule to the workers’ compensation laws in Michigan may affect your ability to be reimbursed for prescription drugs. The rule is designed to address the long-term use of pain relievers. While touted as a measure to prevent drug abuse, it is also intended to save employers money on workers’ compensation benefits paid out to their employees. According to the new rule, patients receivingContinue reading
Workers’ compensation claims set to rise in Michigan winter
It’s that time of year where the sidewalks turn to ice and every corner you turn could reveal a new patch of the slick stuff. Every year Michigan is inundated with wintry weather that puts us all at risk for a slip and fall accident. According to recent statistics, slip and fall accidents account for one-third of every workers’ compensation claim in Michigan during theContinue reading
Statistics highlight types of accidents resulting in claims
The Bureau of Labor Statistics gathers numbers each year from across the country on a multitude of topics. One of the more grim statistics is the number and type of workplace fatalities that occur each year. In Michigan last year, 133 fatal workplace accidents were reported. Of those, 42 resulted from transportation related incidents, while an additional 40 were caused by workplace violence. These twoContinue reading
Medical care for workers in Michigan cheaper than most places
We all know how expensive medical care can be. While we go through large portions of our life as healthy individuals, there comes a time in every person’s life where the cost of medical treatment is no longer an afterthought. While this can come with an unexpected diagnosis or something as simple as aging, workplace injuries are one of the most common causes of surprisingContinue reading
Lifting at work, hazardous for Saginaw employees
Bodies break down. No matter how diligent we are about staying in shape and avoiding injuries, eventually our hard work catches up with us. Across the Saginaw area, hardworking Michiganders are realizing the effects of years of lifting heavy objects. From rotator cuff tears to lower back injuries, repetitive motions day after day can add up to a serious injury. As most people know, employersContinue reading
Michigan Supreme Court discusses workers’ compensation
This blog regularly touches on legal topics concerning Michigan’s workers’ compensation schemes. The laws which demand employers provide insurance coverage to their workers has a catch. Known as workers’ compensation exclusivity, an injured worker is generally only able to recover insurance benefits from an accident. In other words, he or she cannot also sue their employer for negligence. This issue was recently raised in frontContinue reading
Workers’ compensation resources available to Michigan employees
Workers’ compensation can be confusing. From the regulatory requirements imposed by the state, to the medical quirks of an actual claim, it’s difficult to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the topic with a quick Google search. As a result, various groups and organizations publish materials intended to spoon feed the information to their recipients. For instance, Michigan’s business communities regularly publish guides to help employersContinue reading
Winter conditions biggest hazard to Michigan workers
According to workers’ compensation insurers, slip and fall accidents are the most common source of benefit claims among workers in Midwest states like Michigan. Last year alone, winter related slips and falls accounted for thirty-two percent of claims in Michigan. Among other states like Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota, these accidents doubled from the previous year. Other job conditions, like repetitive motions also cause a fairContinue reading
