New Orleans Personal Injury Law Blog

3 common summertime workplace injuries and illnesses

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Wednesday, May 15, 2019.

Summertime is almost upon us, which brings a spike in temperatures and unique workplace safety hazards. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, exposure to high environmental temperatures caused 2,830 nonfatal injuries and illnesses and 37 deaths among workers in 2015. These staggering statistics demonstrate the toll that summer weather can take on employees.

Due to the unique safety concerns of working in the summer, it is important to know what injuries and illnesses are most likely to occur. Here are some of the most common occupational injuries that affect workers during the summer season.

Can your employer make you see the company doctor?

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Like most of your co-workers, you work hard to do your job every day. If you sustain a serious injury on a barge, rig or boat, though, your employer may not return the favor. That is, your employer may worry more about profits than your overall health. With maritime injuries common in summer months, you must have a strategy for taking care of yourself.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, usually known as the Jones Act, is a comprehensive law that deals with maritime vessels. If you suffer a serious injury when working on the water, there is a good chance the Jones Act applies to you. Even though the Act allows you to see the doctor you choose, your employer may strongly suggest you see the company’s physician. Here are some reasons you should choose your own doctor.

Selecting your physician after a maritime accident

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

It is always best to seek medical attention after an accident. In the case that the accident occurs while at work, you may be able to receive compensation for your injury.

Therefore, seeing a physician is key, both physically and financially. Though your employer may encourage you to see their physician, a few good reasons exist as to why you should select your own physician.

Symptoms you do not want to ignore after a car accident

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.

Car accidents happen every day in Louisiana. In 2017 alone, 696 fatal crashes occurred. If you ever find yourself involved in a collision, then you need to see a doctor immediately.

The reason for this is the sooner you begin treatment, the better you will feel. You do not want to hamper your activities at work because of an untreated injury. However, some injuries will appear days or weeks after the car crash. You need to pay attention to your body, so you know when you need to make another visit to the doctor's office.

Tugboat workers qualify for Jones Act “maintenance and cure”

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

Perhaps you are a deckhand on a tugboat that operates on the Mississippi River. You are new to this kind of work and unfamiliar with maritime law.

For example, if you suffer an injury aboard an inland tugboat, you should be eligible for “maintenance and cure” under the Jones Act. What does this mean?

Boating safety tips for the spring

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Warm weather is on the way, which means you may be getting ready to take your boat out soon. Whether you use your boat for recreational or professional purposes, it is always vital to be as safe as possible. If you get into a boating accident, you may suffer injuries, financial hardships and emotional trauma.

Even if you are a seasoned boater, you can always brush up on some safety guidelines. Check out the tips below to make sure you are operating your boat as safely as possible this spring.

What to do after a hit-and-run injury

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Monday, February 18, 2019.

Louisiana is one of the worst states for hit-and-runs in the country. Over 2,000 hit-and-run fatalities occur every year in the United States, and Louisiana, particularly New Orleans, ranks second in the entire nation.

You may know immediately if you sustained an injury after an auto accident where the other driver left the scene. You need to protect your rights and ensure you do everything in your power to get your medical expenses covered. Here is what you need to do following a hit and run.

A personnel basket transfer is a high-risk operation

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Saturday, February 2, 2019.

Let us say you are starting a new job on an oil rig. You probably know an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico presents a dangerous working environment.

However, you may not be familiar with the danger involved with the personnel basket transfer and the possibility of injuries.

Steps you should remember to take after a vehicle crash

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Monday, January 21, 2019.

Fortunately, not all traffic accidents are major events; most are only fender-benders. Still, any collision is a jarring experience for your nerves, at the very least.

Think ahead and keep these six steps in mind in case you should ever be the victim of a vehicle accident.

What benefits can a dock worker expect under the LHWCA?

On behalf of Marc Frischhertz of Frischhertz Poulliard Frischhertz & Impastato LLC on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

Perhaps you are one of the many dock workers at the Port of New Orleans, and you spend your days loading and unloading cargo.

If you fall and break your leg during a loading operation on a barge, how long do you have to file a claim under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act? Also, what benefits can you expect?