Category Archives: Workers' Compensation

How to Prevent Workplace Injuries

Written On November 7, 2011 By Bob Kraft

This guest post is from Evan Fischer, a writer for http://www.pricebenowitzlaw.com, a law firm that protects the livelihood of clients who have suffered from an injury due to another person’s negligence.
It’s all fun and games until you’re dancing on the conference table on margarita Friday and you fall off and break a hip.  Okay, so most [...]

Posted in Safety Tips, Workers' Compensation

Insult to Injury: Texas Workers’ Comp System Denies, Delays Medical Help

Written On November 2, 2011 By Bob Kraft

Writer Terry Carter has an excellent article in the American Bar Association Journal regarding the decline of the Texas Workers’ Compensation system since the law was fundamentally changed in 1991. If you work in Texas, or care for someone who does, you should read this eye-opening article. You will be shocked to learn that Texas [...]

Posted in Tort Reform, Workers' Compensation

U.S. Work Casualties Down Slightly in 2010

Written On September 13, 2011 By Bob Kraft

This is a “good news, bad news” story. The total number of on-the-job deaths declined in 2010. That’s good, but part of the reason is that fewer people are working construction jobs these days, and that’s bad. Here are more details:
Reporting from its Washington Bureau, Business Journals cited “preliminary numbers from the Bureau of Labor [...]

Posted in Workers' Compensation

Colorado Lawmakers Question Bonuses Paid By Workers’ Compensation Insurer

Written On September 4, 2009 By Bob Kraft

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports on what may be insurance company misconduct regarding denial of workers’ compensation claims in that state. Here are excerpts from the article:
A workers compensation insurer may have paid bonuses to employees for denying claims, a lawmaker said Thursday, citing documents provided by the company.
State Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, said that [...]

Posted in Insurance Company or Government Misconduct, Workers' Compensation

Bill Easing Ability For Workers To Sue Property Owners Passes Texas House

Written On May 14, 2009 By Bob Kraft

The AP reports, “Legislation that would make it easier for certain injured workers to sue property owners for negligence has passed the Texas House.” The legislation, “supported by personal injury trial lawyers, would remove existing liability protections for premises owners who buy workers’ compensation insurance for contract workers who come onto their property to perform [...]

Posted in Political and/or Judicial, Premises Liability Claims, Workers' Compensation

Editorial: Lawmakers Should Correct Texas Supreme Court Workers’ Compensation Decision

Written On April 17, 2009 By Bob Kraft

The Austin American-Statesman ran an editorial today speaking out on a really bad decision by the pro-business Texas Supreme Court. The case is a little complicated, but boils down to allowing property owners to avoid liability for negligence if the owner declares itself to be a general contractor and buys workers' compensation insurance for the [...]

Posted in Political and/or Judicial, Workers' Compensation

Texas Workers’ Compensation Issue Left Unresolved

Written On March 17, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Statesman.com has an article about the efforts of the Texas Legislature to undo damage done by the Texas Supreme Court in a recent, flawed decision regarding lawsuit protection for work-site owners. The Court twisted logic to take laws intended to protect general contractors and used them to protect property owners from negligence suits. Unfortunately, the [...]

Posted in Political and/or Judicial, Workers' Compensation

Federal Regulations To Be Updated For Construction Cranes

Written On September 20, 2008 By Bob Kraft

The Associated Press reports that for the first time since 1971 the federal government is to update building crane regulations and will require crane
operators nationwide to pass a certification test. This change by the U.S. Department of Laborfollows deadly accidents in several U.S. cities, including Houston, and serious injuries caused by crane collapses in Dallas.Here [...]

Posted in Product Liability or Medical Devices, Workers' Compensation

Adding Insult To Injury At The Workplace

Written On June 16, 2008 By Bob Kraft

This is a guest post from Heather Johnson. Ms. Johnson is a regular commentator on the subject of criminal justice careers. She welcomes your feedback and potential job inquiries at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.
What do you do when the job that provides a livelihood turns out to be the poison that’s slowly draining your [...]

Posted in Workers' Compensation