Counstruction Worker Struck By Car in West Hartford

The hartford Courant is reporting that an Austin, Tx man was struck by a vehicle on Asylum Avenue while doing sewer work. When injuries such as this occur, the worker not only has a Connecticut worker's Compensation case but can bring a civil lawsuit as well.

If you are injured on the job, whether as a result of a motor vehicle accident or otherwise, it is imperative you seek experienced worker's compensation counsel as soon as possible.

Icy Fall Roads lead To Multiple Crashes

Winter can't be far away after a morning commute like today. Remember, that if you are in your car while working, and you are involved in an accident, you ot only have a potential liability claim, but a worker's compensation claim as well. Call us today for a free evaluation or your Connecticut Worker's Compensation Case or your Connecticut automobile accident case.



http://http://www.wfsb.com/news/21338859/detail.html

3 Seriously injured in Connecticut Auto Accident

WFSB, the CBS affiliate in Hartford is reporting that "a section of Interstate 84 was closed in Tolland Friday night after a crash that began on the eastbound side of the roadway ended on the westbound side.

Both sides of the highway were closed just after 7 p.m. in the area of exits 67 and 68.
Police said two cars were involved in the crash and at least three people were airlifted to Hartford Hospital with serious injuries.

"We've been sitting here for two hours, got out near the gas station for an hour, got back on," said driver Lynn Hilton, of Massachusetts, who got stuck in traffic created by the crash.

Both sides of the roadway remained closed at 11 p.m."

At The law Offices of james F. Aspell, P.C. in West Hartford, we provide skilled and compassionate representation for those injured in auto accidents as well as those injured on the job in Connecticut . Call today for a free consultation.

Monkey Business

Earlier this year, a Connecticut woman was severely mauled by her friend's 200-pound pet chimp Travis. Charla Nash "lost her nose, lips, eyelids, hands and bone structure in her mid-face and suffered significant brain, eye and tissue injuries in the attack," and her family sued chimp owner Sondra Herold for $50 million in damages. Now, Herold is seeking to call the suit a worker's compensation claim—because Nash worked for her and Travis the chimp was a part of the business.

The Hartford Courant explains, "The strategy, if successful, would severely limit potential damages in the case and insulate the chimp owner from personal liability... Herold's attorney, Robert Golger, says in recent court papers that Nash was working as an employee of Herold's tow truck company, Desire Me Motors, at the time of the attack. He argues that Travis was an integral part of the business, saying his picture was on the wrecker, he appeared at the garage daily and he attended numerous promotional events."

An attorney said it was a "pretty creative argument" while another told the Courant it was "a very sellable argument." Nash has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation since the February incident; in June, her brother said, "When she gets knocked down, she gets back up...Her psychiatrist asked her if she wanted to know anything about the event. She said, 'Nope. That's in the past.'"

Creative indeed. If A Court deems Nash to be an employee, worker's compensation will be her exclusive remedy under Connecticut Law.

Dont Monkey around. (sorry, I could't resist). If you are injured at work in Connecticut call us today for a free consultation.

Chemical Spill Injures 3 in Vernon

The Hartford Courant is reporting that 3 employees were injured today in a chemical spill at the Amerbelle Textile company in Vernon. Chemical spills are a common source of on the job injuries in Connecticut that entitle the victim to worker's compensation benefits.

Connecticut Worker's Compensation law entitles you to payments for your time lost from work, your medical expenses, and permamant disabilty you suffer, and various other incidental benefits. If you are injured in Connecticut it is imperative that you contact an experienced Connecticut worker's compensation attorney. Your employer will not necessarilly file your claim for you, and as time moves on from the date you get hurt, memories fade and motives become confused. Feel free to contact me at any time for a no cost or abligation consultation on your Connecticut worker's compensation matter.

Vacation

As I have posted here before, I subscribe to the legendary Norm Pattis' view that being a lawyer is a punishing way to make a living. This is, in my view, especially true of worker's compensation claimant's attorneys. My clients are stressed. They are in pain. They need treatment and are being denied. They wait weeks for checks or for hearings or for settlements that are promised but are somehow elusive. And they call. A lot.

I like talking to my clients. I am empathetic by nature and have chosen this course to feed my family by helping those who are hurting.

But it takes it's toll on the lawyer too. It is not easy being on the front line day in and day out. I am ready for some well deserved time off. Life is about balance and right now I need some Yin to offset the Yan. I will of course call in and handle any true crises that errupt. I have a solo practice and that goes with the territory. But I need to unwind. Go out on the boat. Play the guitar. Talk to my wife and have ice cream with my kids. I need to recharge so I can do my best for you.

In the meantime, Maggie will mind the store.

Catch you in about a week.

Can You Hear Me Now: Work Related Injuries for Musicians

Reprinted with permission from a posting by Julie Ferguson at Worker's Comp Insider

Last week, 61-year old rock musician Steven Tyler fell off the stage and suffered a broken shoulder, along with stitches in his head and back. He has had to cancel upcoming shows, though it's likely he'll be on a self-imposed return-to-work plan in the near future. Many musicians are like athletes in their devotion to their profession and their determination to return to work as soon as feasible. (Not to mention the economic impact of canceling shows, which although there is event cancellation insurance for that type of thing, still must take a bite from a musician's earnings.)
Falling off stages isn't all that unusual a work-related occurrence for musicians and other performers. Celebrity spills are a favorite fare on the Internet, with video clips drawing millions of viewers and little sympathy. Fashion model falls seem to be a particular favorite for the YouTubers, and frequently available given that a job-related hazard for models is teetering around on ridiculous footwear. But despite the vicarious pleasure that many viewers take in seeing pop culture icons coming down to earth, slips and falls are nothing to take lightly - they are one of the most common injuries in many professions, resulting in disabling injuries. They are also a leading source of fatalities in the construction industry.
Injuries beyond the fallsWe went looking for more information about musician injuries and came upon Looking at Musicians' Health Through the Ages, an examination of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) from the scholarly Medical Problems of Performing Artists. This is a publication that bills itself as "...the first clinical medical journal devoted to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of medical and psychological disorders related to the performing arts. Original peer-reviewed research papers cover topics including neurologic disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, voice and hearing disorders, anxieties, stress, substance abuse, disorders of aging, and other health issues related to actors, dancers, singers, musicians, and other performers. Alas, the interesting articles entitled "Bagpiper's Hernia" and "The Psychological Profile of a Rock Band: Using Intellectual and Personality Measures with Musicians" are available only to subscribers.
For some other sites related to musician injuries, see Musician's Health, an educational website devoted to common musician's injuries and information on preventing those injuries. Instrumental injuries often include similar repetitive motion injuries to those that are commonly associated with computer use. Musicians' Injuries describes various types of performance-related injuries and offers advice on how to avoid them.
Hearing-related injuries are common for musicians Hearing loss is another risk for musicians and conductors - and not just for rock musicians, as might be commonly assumed. Doug Owens, a USM music education professor and trumpet player who has experienced hearing loss himself, has been studying the issue of hearing loss and musicians. For his doctoral dissertation, he had ten high school band directors wear noise monitors for two days on the job.
"Owens found they were exposed to mean average noise levels of 85 to 93 decibels, similar to a vacuum cleaner or a leaf blower. Noise exposures peaked at 101 to 115 decibels, similar to a jackhammer or a crowd at a basketball game.
Comparing eight-hour exposure rates, Owen found noise levels for all of the band directors were more than three times higher than recommended by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health." In learning more about this topic, we also discovered H.E.A.R., a site with an acronym that stands for Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers. The site describes itself as "a non-profit grassroots hearing health organization of hearing professionals, audiologists, ear doctors, educators, music industry professionals, and musicians dedicated to the prevention of hearing loss and tinnitus for musicians, music students, recording engineers, music industry professionals and music fans, especially young people." The site offers the latest in hearing-related research, news and advice, along with a quick and easy test to assess whether concerts are harming your hearing.
_________________________________________________

If You have been injured on the job in Connecticut please call us to discuss your legal options. At the Law offices of James F. Aspell, P.C. you get small firm service with big firm results.