Sep 16, 2024 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
You may be looking at ways to make money while on workers comp. If you’re injured and unable to work, you will likely only receive two-thirds of your regular pay. Keep in mind, working a second job or a side-job could affect your benefits. Check with your policy and laws before deciding to proceed.
Make Money While on Workers Comp: Ideas to Make Money
Sell Your Clutter
You can make money while on workers comp plus clean out your house at the same time. Platforms like eBay, Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace are a great place to cash in on things you are not using. Poshmark is more focused on clothing items, while eBay and Facebook Marketplace are for just about anything.
Rent Out a Room
If you have a spare room in your home, and feel comfortable doing so, you could rent it out on Airbnb to make money while on workers comp. This works best if you live in or near a big city, or an attraction of some sort. Beaches, state or national parks, or other scenic areas are top spots for people to want to rent a room. Don’t forget to check the rules of where you live to make sure you are allowed to put your place on Airbnb.
Take Surveys
There are plenty of websites where you can take surveys for cash. This is an easy way to make some extra money while on workers comp while on your phone or computer. Surveys will range in length and pay, but there’s money to be made.
Become a Driver
With rideshares growing in popularity, you can become a driver to bring in extra money. Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are options you can look into. These services have branched into food delivery as well, which will give another money making opportunity. Of course this is all dependent on what type of injury you have sustained.
Etsy
If you’re crafty, you could make extra money by selling items on Etsy. This site is great for arts and crafts. From jewelry to paintings, and handmade cards to sticker decals, there is a little bit of everything on Etsy.
If you need to make some extra money while on workers comp, there are plenty of options available. Your options may be limited due to the type of injury you have, and the rules surrounding your claim.
Aug 25, 2024 | Accident prevention, Workers' Compensation
If you have a job on a construction site, or your job requires you to visit construction sites often, you need to be careful. Safety on construction sites is so important because these present more dangers than typical workspaces. A mishap in an office is often an annoyance. However, a mishap on a construction site could result in a serious injury. It’s important to have the proper equipment before you go to visit a construction site. Next, only necessary people should even be on a construction site in the first place. Training is really important to make sure that everybody is as safe as possible. And finally, and most importantly, being aware is the best way to prevent any sort of accidents. Construction sites can be dangerous if you are not careful, so be prepared before you even visit.
Safety on Construction Sites: Tips to Prevent Injuries and Accidents
Proper Equipment
Safety on construction sites starts with proper equipment. Before you even set foot onto one, you should have the correct safety gear. Most sites require hard hats anywhere you go to protect your head from falling debris. In addition, you might be required to wear eye protection like glasses or goggles or ear protection for loud noises. Finally, you should always wear the correct footwear before going to a construction site. You should have thick-soled work boots which will protect your feet if you step on a nail. They also will protect your ankles if the ground is uneven.
Restrict Access
You can keep safe on construction sites by making sure that only necessary people visit them. They are not open to the public, and you should always have permission before going to one. If your job requires you to visit them, make sure that you have somebody with you who knows the site well. They’ll be able to guide you away from dangerous areas. The fewer people on a construction site, the fewer possibilities for injury.
Training
One way to ensure safety on construction sites is to make sure that everybody is properly trained on them. Anybody working the site should be aware of safety practices. And any visitors should be briefed before they visit the construction site as well. There are many training videos and professionals out there who can help your company with safety training. Anybody setting foot on the site should be properly aware of its dangers and how to avoid them.
Be Aware
Finally, the most important factor of safety on construction sites is to always be aware of your surroundings. Many construction site accidents happen when debris falls on workers below. If there is any scaffolding on the site and workers are up high, always be careful before walking under them. Also, be aware of any heavy equipment on the site. Drivers may not be able to see you as easily, and might not be able to hear you over the sound of their machinery. Any time you’re on a construction site you should be very aware of your surroundings at all times.
Safety on construction sites is very important. You can get a serious injury easily if you’re not careful. Safety starts with making sure everybody on the site is wearing the proper safety equipment. In addition, you should limit the number of people on a site at all times to only those who absolutely need to be there. Before anybody visits, make sure that they have proper training. And finally, make sure that you and everybody on the site are very aware at all times. Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to ensure that no accidents happen. Hopefully, with these safety tips, you’ll be able to ensure safety for yourself and any employees if your job takes place on a construction site or requires you to visit them.
Jun 23, 2024 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
The days, weeks, and months, following a work injury can be extremely stressful. The process of a worker’s comp injury, from paperwork, appointments, and requirements, can make your days feel long. Not to mention, these things can bring worry over receiving those necessary benefits. Not to mention, recovery, and the feelings that come along with it. There’s no denying that when it comes to work injury stress, there are plenty of different ways that it can creep in. So, how do you cope with it? And what can you do to manage your feelings, and ease your mind?
Work Injury Stress: Tips for Coping
Talk to a Worker’s Compensation Attorney
Along with a work injury, comes a lot of financial stress and pressure. Your work injury likely will prevent you from being able to perform the responsibilities that are set forth by your position. For this reason, you’ll likely need some period of time spent away from your position. While, with a work injury, you should receive benefits it can be daunting to watch all of those expenses add up. Furthermore, if you notice that your employer is trying to deny the compensation you deserve in any capacity, you should speak with an attorney. While, in many cases, you won’t have to worry about your employer trying to get over on you— that is not always the case. So, with cases that seem to be headed in this direction, or any major injury case, you should speak with an attorney.
Educate yourself on the injury
Your doctors are knowledgeable, and there to answer the questions you have about your injury, and resulting issues that might arise. So, make a list of questions, make use of your time. After all, you’ll be spending quite a bit of time in the doctor’s office following an injury. Furthermore, do your own research from reliable sources. It’s easy to feel out of control when it comes to a work injury, being that you’re having to meet worker’s comp requirements. So, getting information is one way to reduce stress, and take control.
Build a Relationship With Your Doctor
This doctor is not the doctor you’re used to seeing. However, this is the doctor who will be getting up close and personal with your injury. So, build trust with that doctor. It can be easy to feel distrustful of a doctor you had no control over choosing. But, you have the chance to ask questions, take notes, and follow their recovery plan. You’ll be spending a lot of time with the doctor. So, finding ways to trust them and their process can make a big difference in how you feel overall.
Rely on the Support of Family and Friends
Since this can be such a difficult time, it’s important to reach out and accept help from others. Sometimes, allowing people to help us can be one of the hardest aspects of dealing with an injury. However, fighting against it will only add to your worries and increase your work injury stress. So, try to allow your family and friends to be the support system you need.
May 14, 2024 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Many workplaces make use of computers, especially in offices. However, all that typing and clicking can eventually lead to carpal tunnel. This could seriously get in the way of you doing your job effectively. However, there are some ways that you can help protect yourself…
Carpal Tunnel: Repetitive Stress Injuries
Use less pressure
Often times, when we get used to doing something, we never give it a second thought. One of these areas can be how much force we use. For instance, you could grip a tool too hard when you don’t need to. Or, in this case, you use too much force when typing when gentle keystrokes are all you need.
Using too much pressure and force when typing isn’t the best thing for your hands and wrists. Doing so will add a lot of unnecessary strain on them which could lead to carpal tunnel. Plus, it’ll keep your hands tense, further complicating things. Instead, try to ease off the pressure and keep your hands more relaxed while you work.
Take a break
It’s always important to give yourself a break when you need it. This is pretty easy to see if you work at a job that requires a lot of physical activity. If you don’t take a break, your job quality can suffer, and your chance of injury can go up. However, for people who work desk jobs, this can be harder to realize.
While a desk job might not be a strenuous as other jobs, it still presents hazards like carpal tunnel. That’s why it’s still important to take the occasional break. A quick 10-15 minute break every hour, for example, is a good idea. Plus, you’ll also be giving not just your hands a break, but other areas like your eyes one as well.
Do some stretches
Part of preventing carpal tunnel is keeping your hands nice and loose. A great way to do this is by doing stretches. As it turns out, there’s plenty of different hand and wrist stretches you can do at the comfort of your own desk.
One of the nice things about these stretches is that they compliment your breaks quite well. These stretches are quick, easy, and can be done at nearly any time. Doing them will help you keep your hands loose for the rest of your working day.
Apr 7, 2024 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Every profession comes with it’s own set of risks. However, when you think of work-related injuries, you likely picture broken bones, falling materials, burns, or something of the like. However, work-related injuries come in all forms and fashions. Take, for example, computer eye strain. Computer eye strain originates from an obvious source— spending your workday staring into a computer. In fact, computer eye strain has become a major job-related complaint for computer workers. So, how do know when you’re on the receiving end of computer eye problems? What can you do to prevent it? And lastly, what can you do to treat the damage?
Computer Eye Problems: Common Computer Worker Injuries
Prevention and Management
Comprehensive eye exams are a necessity when you spend most of your days in front of the computer. Therefore, it’s important that you take measures to prevent damage, but also to document changes in your eyesight in case of injury. When seeing an eye doctor, make sure to tell them how often you work on a computer, how much time you spend there, and they can test accordingly.
Take a break every now and then
.rd documents, or something of the like. In doing so, you might forget to blink or rest your eyes from time to time. Eye doctors have a “20-20-20” rule that they encourage people prone to computer eye problems to follow. Once every 20 minutes, look away from your screen, at an object 20+ feet away, for at least 20 second. Doing this 20-20-20 exercise gives your eyes a moment to relax, and reduce fatigue.
Modifying eyewear
If you wear glasses, or even if you don’t, consider introducing customized glasses into your daily uniform. Computer glasses can help to reduce or eliminate computer eye problems by reducing exposure to harmful blue light that radiates from digital devices. This is a feature that can be added onto your existing glasses, or you can get a specific pair that only have this function.
In short, computer eye problems are extremely common for people who work primarily from the computer. However, that’s not to say every computer worker is will end up with eye issues. But, you have to take the time and put the work in to avoid it. See your eye doctor, express concern, and keep record of how your eyes improve, or worsen over time.
Jan 14, 2024 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Eye injuries are surprisingly common in the workplace. Many of these injuries tend to be avoidable if proper safety measures are taken. Being aware of eye injury causes and what you can do to protect yourself can help keep you safe at the workplace…
Eye Injuries: Causes & Protection
Common causes
Different workplaces may have different causes of eye injuries. For example, workers who do a lot of cutting or sawing will have to watch for flying bits of metal or wood. Meanwhile, workers who handle chemicals will run the risk of these chemicals potentially entering their eyes. Even light can be a risk if a worker is handling lasers or other high-intensity light sources.
These hazards can also show up in combination with each other. This further increases the chances of a worker receiving an eye injury. This is why it’s especially important for workers to take steps to protect themselves.
Remove risks before working
The best kind of protection against eye injuries is being aware of what could be a risk in the first place. It’s important to preform safety checks of your workplace before you start your work. This will not only let you spot and remove potential eye hazards, but other hazards as well.
For those risks you can’t remove, try to use some other safety options available to you. For example, many machines will come with guards or screens. These can help you still see what you’re doing, while also having an added layer of protection if things go wrong.
Eye protection
Of course, there is always eye protection. Eye protection is the most preferred and commonly recommended way of preventing eye injuries. Eye protection will let you have that full control over your work while also keeping yourself safe.
The kind of eye protection you should use depends on the work you’re doing. Safety glasses can help keep your eyes safe from flying debris. Goggles will help protect your eyes when handling chemicals. If you’re working with intense light, you’ll want to make sure your eye protection also comes with UV protection as well.
Eye injuries are something that no worker wants to deal with. That’s why it’s crucial to know what you can do to keep yourself safe. Taking those steps to protect your eyes will ensure you can do your job safely and productively. Furthermore, if you are facing this type of injury (or any type of injury), it is important to make your employer aware and properly document your condition.
