When minors enter the workforce, they are often unaware of their legal rights, including protections under Virginia’s workers’ compensation laws. Many people assume that because minors are not yet adults, they are not be entitled to the same benefits as other...
Workers’ Compensation
Don’t let a language barrier keep you from workers’ comp benefits
If you’ve been injured on the job, you have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of the language you speak. In Virginia, as in other states, the workers’ compensation system is designed to protect all employees, including those who are not...
What should employers do to ensure employees wear PPE?
Employers who run businesses with hazards must require employees to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). However, cases of employees sustaining injuries due to the lack of PPE have been reported in many industries. Here are three ways employers can prevent such...
How are burn injuries rated?
Burn injuries can be incredibly painful and may lead to scarring or disfigurement. In some cases, burns are so severe that complete healing isn’t possible. For many workers, burn injuries are among the greatest hazards they face. This is clearly true for those in...
Hearing loss is common at work
Sometimes workplace injuries have an instant and obvious effect. If someone falls from a ladder and breaks their arm or suffers a head injury, they need immediate medical care. The ramifications of the workplace accident are fairly obvious and well-documented. But...
Common injuries among holiday retail workers
The holiday season is a whirlwind for retail workers – and retailers know that. Retailers have added over a half million extra workers are just to get through the period. Unfortunately, a lot of those retailer workers are going to struggle with the extended hours,...
Can workers obtain second opinions when pursuing comp claims?
Medical treatment plays an important role in most workers' compensation claims. The injured employee has to see a doctor who confirms that their condition relates to their work. The doctor also proposes a treatment plan that may include time off of work, light-duty...
Why might housekeepers need workers’ comp?
Anyone who has stayed in a hotel will have benefitted from the services of a housekeeper. While they might leave a tip, they probably do not think about the long-term injuries that those who do the housekeeping can experience. Here are some of the long-term injury...
What are the causes of entrapment accidents in the workplace?
Accidents in the workplace are not unheard of, and while some may be mild, some have the potential to cause gruesome injury or even loss of life. One such catastrophic accident is entrapment, where a worker becomes caught or trapped in machinery, equipment or other...
Broken bones are often serious injuries for workers
Broken bones are among the most common – and potentially serious – injuries that workers can suffer on the job. In Virginia, workers in industries including construction, manufacturing and transportation are particularly at risk for broken bones because their...