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.
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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.

What IS Worker's Compensation?

Justia Answers that question quite nicely here.

If you are injured on the job in Connecticut feel free to call us for a free consultation.

Three Dead in Fiery Rocky Hill Crash

Three persons perished and three more were injured in firey car crash in Rocky Hill on Sunday marring an otherwise beautiful day. The loss of any life in situation such as this is a tragedy of the highest order.

In any accident in which you or a loved one sustain serious injury, it is imperative that you contact an experienced Connecticut personal injury Attorney to protect your rights. Your attorney will work hard to ensure evidence is preserved and that an investigation is conducted properly. Should litigation become necessary, your Connecticut Attorney can guide you through the process with experience and compassion.