Feb 14, 2019 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Owning a business, especially for the first time, comes with a bit of a learning curve. You have employees, finances, and sometimes— an ‘oops’ that helps you to learn a little bit more about the process. Take, for example, an accident that leads to injury. No matter your experience, it can be nerve-wracking to see your employee hurt. Not to mention, you have to provide worker’s comp, and make sure your injured worker’s responsibilities are taken care of while they’re down and out. Avoiding worker’s compensation claims is a top priority for business owners. But, how do you do that? Putting workspace safety measures in place is a first step to reducing worker injuries, and avoiding costly claims.
Workspace Safety Measures: Avoiding Costly Claims for Business Owners
Set a standard
The best way to avoid injury in the workplace is to set those workspace safety measures from day one. Create a protocol, set a standard of safety, and check in on those measures. Every business is different, as are the common injuries. No matter the field you’re working in, or the type of establishment— you know your business. Therefore, you also understand the risk that comes with it with it. So, you can prepare as such. As you build a business plan, make your workspace safety measures part of the process.
Enforce those standards
Most business owners will have workspace safety measures in mind. However, it’s enforcing those standards is the real key. Consider quarterly safety meetings where you go over stats, safety measures, and encourage your employees to watch out for themselves, and for their coworkers. Holding employees accountable for safety is a great way to start.
Offer incentives for safety milestones
While workspace safety measures are mostly concerned with direct safety practice— there is also that aspect of accountability. Many people are driven by the thought avoiding an injury. However, accidents still happen. Not to mention, some employees might find the benefit of worker’s compensation more appealing than working every day… So, how do you reward those who work hard and stay safe? But, also encourage those who might take advantage, to avoid doing so?
Offer incentives for hitting certain goals and practicing workspace safety measures! For every 90 days without an injury, give your employees something to look forward to. Take your employees to dinner, provide breakfast, or give them a small bonus. While these events do cost money— consider what you’re saving in worker’s compensation claims.
Feb 10, 2019 | Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation
When you’re out of work with an injury, money can be a top concern. While worker’s compensation benefits cover 2/3 of your regular pay— that extra 1/3 will be missed greatly. You have bills to pay, groceries to buy, and a lifestyle to maintain. Therefore, budgeting post-injury might look a little bit different than it does on a regular basis. For this reason, it can be difficult to make those adjustments, and sacrifices. So, we’re here to help. In fact, we might be able to help you make even more money than you planned on.
Budgeting Post-Injury … and Maybe Making a Little More
Prepare beforehand
Everyone should have a savings account just in case. No one expects to be injured on the job. But, if you have savings to fall back on just in case— that injury will be a lot less stressful to deal with. This sentiment can apply to any circumstance, or unexpected expense. So, don’t save just with injury in mind. Save because anything can happen, at any point in time. Budgeting post-injury starts with preparing for incidentals before an injury ever even occurs.
Sacrifice a few luxuries
Finding small ways to cut your expenses is the first step to making up for the 1/3 of your missed wages. Monthly subscriptions are a great place to start. Maybe you pay for Netflix, Hulu, makeup subscriptions, or another combination of those things. Consider cutting most, or even all, of those expenses until you’re back on your feet. While it’s no fun, budgeting post-injury means getting rid of a few simple luxuries.
Cut the excess
We mentioned that there might be a few ways to even make money while you’re down and out. One great way to do that, is to let go off a few items that serve you no purpose. We’re all guilty of keeping clothes, shoes, bags, or things of the sort that we never use. Consider using some of your extra time to post your clothes or items on sale sites, such as Letgo, Ebay, or Poshmark. By doing so, you can make a little extra money, clear out your closet, and make use of all that idle time. By letting go of those unnecessary items, you might just make budgeting post-injury a little less stressful.
Consider the art of couponing
You’re looking for ways to spend less money than usual— but maintain your lifestyle. So, consider the benefits of couponing. Budgeting post-injury might mean letting go of unnecessary luxuries. However, groceries are essential. But, they are also quite expensive. That’s where coupons come in. Take some time, do some research, and learn from those who do it best. By following certain techniques, you might find that you get certain things at a lowered cost, maybe even free. In fact, some people even find themselves making money.
In short, budgeting post-injury is challenging, but certainly not impossible. When you get creative about saving and making money, you might find that you’re better at it than you thought.
Feb 3, 2019 | Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation
There are plenty of different ways to face injury in the workplace. From a quick sprain, to broken legs, and even lost limbs. However, there are plenty of different injuries that occur in the workplace which you might not see right away. Overexertion injuries, for example, are one means of injury that can occur out of your typical work conditions. Maybe you were more tired that day, or handling a two person job on your own. Whatever the reason, you now have an injury that needs treating. But, what could you have done to prevent it?
Overexertion Injuries Prevention: Worker’s Compensation
Ask for help
Overexertion injuries occur for a number of reasons, but one of the most common— is biting off more than you can chew. It can be easy to get caught up in the swing of things and think you can handle something on your own. However, it’s in those instances that you might find yourself with a sprain, strain, or tear. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and admit when you can’t handle something on your own.
Use correct posture
If you have a physically taxing job, it can sometimes be easy to forget that posture is key to avoiding those overexertion injuries. Furthermore, even if you job isn’t physically taxing— you might find yourself with the occasional heavy lifting. Bend your knees, lift with your legs, and tighten your core. By doing so, you avoid unnecessary stress on your back, and in turn, injury.
Take a break every now and then
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to not take a break every now and then. We understand that you work hard, and time is of the essence. However, stopping for a sip of water won’t hurt. In fact, it will keep you hydrated and help prevent fatigue. Your muscles and joints are working hard— reward them with a break every hour or two.
Overexertion injuries come in many different forms. However, the pain is always the same. Therefore, it’s important that you claim them through worker’s compensation. In the event that your employer makes doing so difficult, or begins denying your benefits— reach out to an attorney today.
Jan 31, 2019 | Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation
A work injury can be difficult to overcome both physically and mentally. However, recovery is likely the first thing on your mind. Getting back into the swing of things post-injury is a top concern for most injured workers. You want to go back to work, regain your lifestyle, and go back to your social spheres. But, before you can do that, you have to focus on your health and wellness. That’s where healthy recovery behaviors come into play…
Healthy Recovery Behaviors: Regaining Your Groove
Stick to the recovery plan
Your doctor is a pro at this, and the best way to recover quickly— is to honor their wishes. Every injury is different. Therefore, every treatment plan will be a bit different as well. As an injured worker, you have a duty to get back to 100% as quickly as possible. Furthermore, by doing so, you ensure that your employer does not try to deny you of your worker’s comp benefits. Healthy recovery behaviors vary based on your injury, but this one always remains the same.
Set realistic recovery goals
Being injured heavily hinders your typical quality of life. You might be missing yoga class, a night out with friends, or a few goals you’d set before the injury. Therefore, it’s not unusual for you to feel sad, lonely, or ‘in a funk’. However, finding ways to combat those feelings is a true sign of healthy recovery behaviors.
Therefore, it can be helpful to set recovery goals. Setting goals for yourself, even when they’re small, can help you to feel a sense of accomplishment— and get a few things done along the way. Consider doing your taxes before the deadline, convert your files to digital, or start a donations pile of old clothes you no longer wear. Whatever limitations you have with your injury— honor them, and do not exert yourself. But, a little mental sweat never hurt anyone.
Balance your diet
Give your body the fuel it needs to heal. Vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin A/B/C/D, calcium, zinc, and copper can promote a healthy immune system and tissue growth. By choosing the right, health-conscious, foods— you’re practicing healthy recovery behaviors. However, you don’t have to be all disciplined. Balancing your diet also means indulging a little bit as well— however moderation in key.
Healthy recovery behaviors are a practice that any person facing injury should consider in terms of regaining strength and wellness. You want your body strong, your mind clear, and to avoid those injury blues that so many people face. We offer our condolences for this difficult time, and extend our services if you find that you may need them. Every employer is different, and many will do right by you in this event. However, if they do not— we are here for you.
Nov 29, 2018 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
When it comes to on the job injuries, knee injuries can be some of the most common. From construction workers, to nurses, people of many different professions are at risk for knee injuries. While some knee problems can be mild, other injuries may be more severe and require a long recovery process. So, we’re here to take a look at some of the most common workplace knee injuries.
Workplace Knee Injuries: Avoiding Incident
Meniscus injuries
Meniscus injuries prove to be some of the most common on-the-job injuries. This injury can come from a serious accident, or just twisting your knee a certain way. It’s normally signaled by intense pain and a feeling that your knee is giving out. It can also trigger a lot of swelling, which may prevent your normal range of motion. In cases of severe meniscus tears, your doctor will want to proceed with surgery and physical therapy. However, compared to other knee injuries the recovery process for this tear is usually not long. In addition, most people experience a full recovery and have very few problems later on.
Ligament Injuries
These types of issues take place in the ligaments that surround the left and ride sides of your knee. In most cases, these injuries occur because of an accident. You will most likely be able to feel it the moment you tear either your ACL, MCL, or PCL. Unlike a meniscus injury, these problems usually require months of recovery. In fact, sometimes an ACL tear can require reconstructive surgery.
In cases of workplace knee injuries, it’s so important to report your accident right away. The only way to diagnose a knee problem such as these is to have an MRI. This scan alone can be very costly. In addition, the doctor’s visits, cost of surgery, and physical therapy will be expensive. Therefore, you want to make sure to report your injury so that you can receive the proper coverage.
However, if your injury isn’t due to a specific accident, it’s still important to report the pain you are having. You never know when the daily demand of your job will lead to knee injuries. So, even though you haven’t experienced a specific accident, that doesn’t mean you haven’t injured your knee.
Nov 16, 2018 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
When it comes to our loved ones, we never want to see them in pain. Furthermore, when facing a work injury, you’ll often notice your loved ones feeling down, depressed, and feeling discouraged by the recovery process. Depending on the injury at the hand, recovery can take months. Those months can feel long and lonely, especially when you spend them mainly on your own. So, what can you do, as a loved one, to show support post-work injury? You’re willing to do anything to help, but it can often be difficult to know where to start…
How-To Show Support Post-Work Injury: Supporting Loved Ones
Spend Time Together
The one thing many people facing work injury will deal with is isolation. This is no one’s fault. After all, most everyone is going about business as usual. However, when you lose the routine of your daily life, and you’re going at it alone, depression can set in. So, take some time out to spend time with your loved one. The absolute best way to show support post-work injury, is to simply give your time and company.
Let them vent
There are a lot of feelings that come along with an injury of any kind, but especially one that alters your way of life. So, be there to listen. This person is likely feeling frustration, discouragement, fear, anger, and many many other emotions. The best thing you can do for them is listen and let them vent it out. There is nothing more therapeutic than to get it all out there, and have someone allow you to. It’s not that you need to say anything in particular, or fix the situation. Being there, listening, and being a shoulder to lean on is almost always enough.
Be there for them, but make yourself a priority to
You can do plenty to help the people you love, but self-care is also extremely important. Maybe you’re taking them to appointments, making meals, cleaning the house, and doing every single thing you can. But, sometimes you find that you’re irritated, short-tempered, and tired. So, take some time to yourself as well. You want to help, and you’re doing a great deal. But, your life and well-being is also a priority. Don’t cause yourself pain, or even an injury, by overexerting yourself. Your loved one will understand if you need to go home, take a shower, or catch up on homework, or so forth.
