Category: Workers’ Compensation

Pregnant workers In Nevada who suffer occupational injuries may still obtain workers’ compensation benefits, but the issue of pre-existing conditions such as pregnancy may complicate the process. When employees suffer injuries as a result of workplace accidents, they often rely on the state’s workers’ compensation program to cover their medical bills and help keep them afloat until they recover and can return to work.

Heavy lifting, electrical hazards, toxic substances, extreme weather, and steep or slick surfaces high above the ground make roofing one of the riskiest occupations for workers in Las Vegas. In fact, Roofers are three times more likely to be killed on the job than workers in other industries.

While workplace fatalities have declined in Nevada, more work needs to be done to prevent accidents from happening. Workplace fatalities fell slightly in 2017 from 2016. While this is good news, there are several areas of concern that need to be addressed. Construction deaths continue to be a problem and accounted for 19% of the fatalities that occurred. Other problem areas include workplace violence, workers getting struck by objects, and transportation incidents. These types of accidents made up 70% of the fatalities that occurred. Fall fatalities were of particular concern, accounting for 17% of the accidents and reaching their highest level in 26 years.

Exposure to carbon monoxide gas on a job site can cause permanent or fatal injuries. Employers are required to provide workers with a safe working environment that limits exposure to this dangerous inhaled substance. Workers should also receive training about the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Emergency responders in Nevada often come into contact with blood when they are providing emergency care, making it crucial for them to use personal protective equipment to protect themselves against exposure to bloodborne pathogens while they are on the job. Employers should conduct regular training about bloodborne pathogens and the proper use of protective equipment, and they should provide the equipment to their employees. Coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens can lead to emergency responders contracting serious diseases. If workers contract diseases as a result of workplace exposures to bloodborne pathogens, they may be entitled to recover workers’ compensation benefits.

Nevada retail workers face a heightened risk of injury during the holidays, necessitating a greater focus on worker safety. While retail workers enjoy benefits such as earning more money, they may experience stress during the busy shopping season that can lead to injuries. Crowds of shoppers can also increase the risk of injuries to workers during the holiday season. It is important for retailers to take proactive steps to help to protect their workers when their stores are busy.

Nevadans who work in the construction industry may use hand-held tools that vibrate, which may cause them to develop a debilitating condition called hand-arm vibration syndrome. This condition can prevent people from returning to their jobs. Workers who use vibrating tools such as jackhammers for long periods of time may develop numerous problems, including damage to their nerves, circulation, and muscles. This may lead to them experiencing numbness, tingling, and pain and cause difficulties for them to grip objects. Workers who develop these conditions may be entitled to recover workers’ compensation to pay for medical expenses. If they are disabled, they may also recover ongoing disability payments while they are unable to return to their jobs.

Lightning is an occupational hazard that can severely injure or kill workers in Nevada and it is important for employers to take steps to reduce the risks to their employees. Lightning can strike anywhere, during any time of the year. Employers should make checking the National Weather Service’s forecasts a part of their daily routines. They should also implement policies about outdoor work when storms are approaching as well as when they have just passed.

Firefighters face unique hazards that place them at high risk of personal injury and death. Hazardous conditions, harmful substances, infectious diseases, slip and fall accidents, overexertion, and motor vehicle collisions seriously injured more than 62,000 firefighters in 2016. These and other unsafe conditions contributed to the on-duty deaths of about 60 firefighters last year alone.

Defective work equipment is responsible for many on-the-job injuries that range from minor cuts and abrasions to more serious injuries including broken bones, amputations, head trauma and even death. Liability for damages depends on the cause of the defect and whether the employer knew, or should have known that the equipment was unsafe.