Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.Atlanta Workers Compensation Lawyer | Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.2024-03-15T18:31:04Zhttps://www.perrydeanellis.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1203725/2023/10/cropped-fl-site-icon_p-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=489442024-03-04T19:42:34Z2024-02-02T04:36:45ZWet pavement is more dangerous than snow
Contrary to what people often assume, snow and ice building up on the road is not the biggest safety concern for drivers. Weather-related collisions can occur at any time throughout the year. In fact, ice and snow only account for a minority of weather-related collisions. The Road Weather Management Program of the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration reports that only 15% of weather-related crashes occur during snowfall or sleet. Only 24% of crashes related to weather involve snowy, icy or slushy streets.
Wet pavement is more of a safety concern. According to federal statistics, approximately 75% of all weather-related collisions occur when the pavement is wet. Wet pavement can cause hydroplaning and can carry oil and other contaminants back to the surface of a paved street, further compromising a vehicle's traction.
Rain storms, which are common in Georgia, can create as much of a safety hazard as snowstorms, which are relatively rare. Roughly 47% of weather-related collisions occur during times of active rainfall, but the hazard persists even when the rain stops falling. Until the pavement drives up again, drivers face reduced traction. Wet pavement can make it harder to maneuver and can increase stopping distances.
How Can You Prepare to Drive In Inclement Weather?
Drivers may need to leave a bit earlier, drive a bit more slowly and leave more space during and after rainfall in Georgia. Among the best things you can do has nothing to do with insurance, the law or even driving skills. Properly maintaining your vehicle by ensuring things like your tires are in good repair and have enough tread to grip the road are important.
One sometimes overlooked piece of car maintenance is the brakes. If your brakes squeak when you press them, it's time to get them looked at because the brake pads are wearing down. You don't want to get to the point when you press on the brake pedal that you hear grinding because that means your brakes are through, and the entire brake assembly may need replacing. So proper car maintenance especially to your tires and brakes can prevent accidents and dangerous situations on the road, especially on wet roads
Understanding the most serious weather-related collision risks may help Georgia drivers make safety-focused decisions.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=489382023-12-08T18:24:27Z2023-11-29T00:31:21ZLeft-hand turns precede many collisions
Turning left is often the fastest way to reach a specific destination. However, it exposes the vehicle turning to every other oncoming lane of traffic. Even if the person turning left is very cautious, others approaching the intersection could try to run a red light or have their phones in their hands. They may fail to observe their surroundings and could proceed directly through the intersection, causing a crash.
Approximately 61% of motor vehicle collisions at intersections occur when at least one vehicle involved attempts to turn left. Although the driver turning left isn't automatically at fault for the crash, they will very likely have property damage losses and possibly injuries to address after a collision. Avoiding a wreck is always preferable to holding someone else accountable after the fact.
How can this information help drivers?
Obviously, motorists cannot simply forgo turning left forever. It is sometimes necessary to turn left even in heavy traffic. However, it is often possible to adjust one's route to avoid a left-hand turn.
Going an extra block and circling back could allow someone to complete multiple right-hand turns instead of a left-hand turn. Prioritizing routes with designated left-hand turn lights could also be a safer alternative to simply turning left at a four-way stop or busy intersection.
When making a left turn, ensuring that oncoming traffic comes to a complete stop before attempting the turn can significantly decrease the danger. Do not assume that the other driver is going to stop.
A big factor in left turn accidents is what color the light was in all parties' directions at the time of the accident. And along with that, it is most important to try and find witnesses at the scene who can support your contentions that you had a green arrow at the time of the turn. Without witnesses, it becomes a he said, she said fight with both parties saying they had the right away. So if you can get a favorable witness corroborating your version of events, it can be much easier to make a case.
Ultimately, understanding what choices increase crash risk may help people stay safer on the roads.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=489132023-09-29T09:05:37Z2023-09-29T09:05:37ZInadequate equipment
First and foremost, employers may provide equipment that just isn’t going to get the job done. If someone is working around asbestos, for example, they need a mask with a 100 rating, such as an N-100, P-100 or an R-100 mask. But it is much cheaper for an employer to buy dust masks. They may even tell workers to use neck gaiters or bandannas. A worker may put on a dusk mask that would be helpful in a woodshop, believing it keeps them from being harmed by asbestos. But the truth is that the microscopic asbestos particles can just fit through or around the pores in the mask’s surface, and the worker could still suffer long-term harm as a result.
Poorly-designed equipment
In other cases, the personal protection equipment that is provided just doesn’t fit. It may not be designed for those who are using it. For example, all too often, when women are provided with personal protection equipment, it is not designed for them, but for their male counterparts, and may be ill-fitting. A mask that doesn’t fit is not going to be much more beneficial than the wrong type of mask, so women could face far greater risks than they would if they were given PPE that fit properly.
Why PPE is necessary
Workers must take advantage of using any and all employer-provided safety equipment on the job. Three that are especially important are lumbar support back braces for heavy lifting type work for a worker's lower back,steeled-toed shoes/boots to protect your feet and toes, and finally, and maybe most importantly, goggles for eye protection.
Workers need to wear all safety equipment given to them to wear at work. For one, it may keep them from getting injured. Secondly, and equally important, sometimes employers will try denying a legitimate injury claim if the injured worker is not wearing safety equipment that could have prevented the injury if it was used. So, if they are hurt even after wearing safety equipment, the employer and their workers' comp insurance will not be able to deny the claim because the injured worker not wearing proper safety equipment.
Have you been injured?
If you’ve been given personal protection equipment on the job, but you suffered injuries or illness anyway, it could be that that equipment was not up to the task at hand. You must understand all of the legal steps you can take to seek proper workers’ comp benefits since the injury happened while you were on the job. Depending on your circumstances, you may be in a position to seek additional forms of compensation as well.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=485062023-09-19T07:19:32Z2023-09-19T07:19:32ZSpeeding is one of the most discouraged behaviors on the road. Reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2021.So, why would a driver know the dangers of speeding but still do it? Here are six reasons:
1. Being in a hurry
Some drivers speed because they are running late. They may be in a hurry going to a meeting, soccer practice, work and so on.
2. Traffic delays
Accidents, construction, highway maintenance and traffic overload cause traffic delays, which can encourage drivers to respond aggressively by speeding, changing lanes unsafely or becoming angry at anyone who hinders their progress.
3. Anonymity
A driver may feel like an observer of their surroundings instead of a participant since the car shields them from the outside environment and tinted windows offer utmost privacy. When a driver cannot be seen by others, they may engage in aggressive behaviors, such as speeding.
4. Disregard for others and the law
Many drivers speed as a response to a specific situation, but for some, it's their usual behavior. These drivers disregard speed limits and other road users.
5. Drunkenness
People who drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are highly likely to speed. Since their judgment is impaired, they may not know they are speeding or may do so for fun.
6. Route familiarity
Drivers who use a particular road every day know its conditions and how/when to respond. Unfortunately, route familiarity can give a driver a sense of comfort, and, in turn, they may speed. Familiarity is one of the contributing factors to accidents that happen close to home.If a speeding driver injures you, it is always wise to consider legal help to receive the compensation you deserve. ]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=485022023-09-06T16:39:46Z2023-08-31T05:44:11ZFalls are one of the most dangerous things that can happen to an employee. As a result, a ladder should be respected and considered to be a dangerous tool, not something that is taken for granted. A fall from a ladder can have catastrophic ramifications.
One thing that can help to keep employees safe is if they consider the various mistakes that other workers have made on ladders and how those can lead to accidents. With a focus on avoiding these mistakes, ladder falls could become less common. Here are a few examples.
Not using three points of contact
Three points of contact mean that two feet and a hand – or two hands and one foot – should be on the ladder at all times. However, workers will sometimes violate this rule while trying to carry tools or supplies up the ladder.
Leaning over when something is out of reach
Another common issue is when a worker climbs a ladder and discovers that the place where they need to work is slightly out of reach. Maybe it’s just a few inches off to the side. They should get down and move the ladder to the side before climbing again, making it easy to reach the proper point. But many people simply try to lean to the side, the ladder slips or loses balance, and they fall.
Rushing when climbing the ladder
Rushing can cause a lot of related problems in the workplace. Someone who climbs the ladder too quickly may be more likely to slip, especially if they’re not wearing slip-resistant shoes. Two workers who are in a hurry may attempt to use the ladder at the same time, which is dangerous. A worker could decide to climb the back supports, rather than the rungs, leading to a fall.
Using On Unlevel Surfaces
When positioning the ladder, make sure you plant it on solid level ground. If you put the ladder on a slope or on a wet slippery surface, it can very likely slide or move when climbing. And then we know what happens next. Also when resting the top of the ladder, make sure it is secure against where you are leaning it, otherwise it can slide sideways or fall backward when climbing.
Workers should always perform their duties in a slow and careful manner. That said, even workers who do all this could still be injured in a fall on the job. If they are, they need to know what rights they have to workers’ comp.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=488682023-11-06T07:27:22Z2023-08-17T06:16:42ZSafe lane positioning
In heavy traffic, motorcyclists should position themselves where they can be seen by other drivers and maintain a clear line of sight. This often means riding in the left or right third of the lane, rather than the center, to avoid blind spots and increase visibility.
Defensive driving
Anticipating other drivers' actions and preparing for sudden stops or lane changes is essential in congested traffic. Motorcyclists must remain vigilant, maintain a safe following distance and be ready to react to unexpected situations.
Avoiding lane splitting
While lane splitting may be tempting in slow-moving traffic, it's illegal in Georgia. Motorcyclists must resist the urge to weave between lanes, as it can lead to accidents and legal consequences.
Proper use of gear and equipment
Wearing appropriate safety gear, such as a helmet and protective clothing, and ensuring that all equipment is in proper working order, can make a significant difference in the event of an accident. Regular inspections and adherence to safety regulations are vital components of responsible riding.
Review Your Insurance
Another proactive step you should take is to ensure you have ample uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your motorcycle and all other vehicles in your household. Because motorcycle accidents can cause more severe orthopedic injuries and Georgia only requires motorists to carry $25,000 in UIM coverage, your medical bills could quickly exceed that after an accident. In that event, the only way to ensure you, as the insured motorcyclist, will receive fair compensation is to have a large amount of UIM coverage on your policies if the at-fault driver only has minimum liability insurance limits.
Navigating Atlanta's heavy traffic and traffic jams on a motorcycle requires a thoughtful approach to safety. If an accident does occur, seek medical care and explore your right to seek compensation.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=484982023-08-04T11:35:26Z2023-08-04T11:35:26ZFor many workers, no avoiding heat exposure
While authorities urge the public to stay inside as much as possible, some jobs cannot be done in an air-conditioned building. Construction workers, agricultural workers, delivery drivers and linemen maintaining the electric grid must spend at least part of their shifts outside, no matter how hot and humid it is. Having to work in punishing heat can expose workers to serious conditions like:
Heat cramps
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
Heat exhaustion and lead to heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition if not treated immediately. Sadly, heat exposure kills nearly 40 American workers each year, according to Time. Thousands more survive their heat illness but are left greatly debilitated and in pain.
Safety precautions help but cannot guarantee health
Many companies that employ outdoor workers use safety practices to help prevent heat illness. These include easy and inexpensive steps like providing regular breaks in the shade and cool water to drink. But despite these precautions (which not every employer provides), Atlanta workers are still at risk whenever they must be outside and physically active for long periods during a heat wave. Victims can die or need a long time to recover before they can go back to work.
While recovering from a heat-related or other work injury, you can turn to workers' compensation to help you afford medical care and more.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=484952023-08-03T13:07:15Z2023-08-01T10:00:49ZHospitals present a wide array of safety risks. From potential exposure to infectious diseases to physical strain and emotional burnout, healthcare workers face unique challenges, particularly those with direct patient contact.
Ensuring a safe environment for these frontline workers involves addressing a broad spectrum of risks. Regular training, strict compliance with hygiene practices and fostering a supportive work environment can help safeguard those at the frontline of our healthcare systems. Understanding some common risks these workers face is one way to minimize some of them.
Understanding the variety of risks hospital workers face
Healthcare workers face both physical and biological hazards. Physical hazards include lifting and transferring patients, slips and falls or contact with sharp objects. Biological hazards are associated with exposure to infectious diseases, which is particularly problematic for those with direct patient contact. In these cases, documenting what happened in extreme detail is very important because an employer's insurance company will try to contend that the worker contracted the illness outside of the workplace. This was very common during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and having more details makes proving the illness was work-related easier.
Workplace safety for those with direct patient contact
Adherence to proper hygiene practices is non-negotiable for those in direct contact with patients. Hand hygiene is the most straightforward and effective measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Regular and correct use of personal protective equipment like gloves, gowns, masks and eye protection can significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission.Safe patient handling practices, such as using mechanical lifting equipment, can significantly minimize the risk of physical injuries. Training on correctly handling and disposing of sharp objects can also prevent needlestick injuries and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.Workers who suffer injuries at work can count on workers’ compensation. It might be necessary to fight for everything you're due, so work with someone who understands the process. ]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=484932023-08-03T13:00:20Z2023-07-31T06:55:00Zwho is actually at fault for the wreck. Certain kinds of evidence can play a particularly important role in the outcome of a crash investigation in Georgia.
Video footage
There are many intersections across Georgia that have traffic cameras in use. There could be footage of the collision itself or the moments right before or after the crash captured by those cameras. There might also be nearby security cameras at businesses recording video footage that could play a role after the crash. Finally, there could potentially be dashboard cameras in one of the vehicles involved or a vehicle near those cars when the crash occurred.
Cellphone data
Mobile phone use has become an increasingly common issue that contributes to collisions in Georgia and elsewhere in the United States. Although individuals can delete specific text messages or even remove apps from their devices, the records maintained by their service providers and the app companies themselves can often help validate claims that someone used their phone in the moments leading up to a crash.
Witness statements
When there isn't any objective evidence related to the scene of the crash or the cause of the wreck, police officers and lawyers may then turn to members of the public. Witness statements can help paint a picture of what transpired immediately before or during a crash. Although witnesses are not as reliable as video footage or other forms of objective evidence, their statements can play a major role in insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits.
It's important to remember to get correct information from favorable witnesses to an accident. A lot of time people are a little groggy scattered and upset after they are in a serious accident. But it's important to stay clear-headed and get as much info from the witnesses as possible. Do not always rely on the investigating police officer, because they get a lot of things incorrect.
If there are passengers in your vehicle who may be injured, ensure the police officer has all passengers' names, ages and info on the report. Passengers are many times overlooked on a police report, which can make bringing a personal injury claim forward difficult for someone who is unlisted.
Gathering sufficient evidence to establish who is at fault for a crash will be of the utmost importance for those involved in a major collision in Georgia. Once fault is established, victims can generally seek compensation for those who are liable for their harm.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Perry Dean Ellis, P.C.https://www.perrydeanellis.com/?p=484912023-07-24T13:52:48Z2023-07-13T07:48:42ZIf you’re considering buying a motorcycle, people might tell you that they’re more dangerous than driving in a car. Even with a helmet, you just don’t have that much protection on a motorcycle. Accidents can be more severe.
However, you may look at the statistics and feel a bit confused. For example, take a look at the number of fatalities in 2021. A total of 5,932 motorcyclists lost their lives in accidents. That may sound like a lot, but since there are usually around 40,000 annual traffic deaths in the United States, motorcyclists only accounted for 14% of them. The vast majority of accidents that result in fatalities do not happen on motorcycles. So why do they have this reputation for being dangerous?
The number of miles traveled
The reason is that total statistics like that do not tell the entire story. What researchers will do is look at how many fatalities happen per vehicle miles traveled. There are not nearly as many motorcycles on the road and people don’t use them as often, so they cover vastly fewer miles on an annual basis.If you look at the rate at which motorcyclists are killed per mile driven, then you will see that it is 24 times as high as those who are in passenger vehicles. The odds of being in a fatal crash are massively higher. In fact, it’s even four times as likely that someone on a motorcycle will suffer injuries. So, in almost every crash, the risks are greater for someone on a bike.
Given the higher chances of getting seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident when driving a motorcycle when someone else is at fault, it is essential to carry a large amount of Uninsured Motorist Coverage. Get way more than the minimum amount in Georgia of $25,000. Every motorcycle driver should have at least $100,000 in Uninsured Motorist coverage if not more. It may be fun and exciting to ride a motorcycle. But it also can be dangerous. Protect yourself from other drivers on the road- those who may not even have liability insurance or those that are Underinsured having only minimum limits of $25,000. So be smarter than that and get at least $100,000 in UM Coverage on your motorcycle insurance policy.
Naturally, many of these accidents happen because other drivers – and not motorcyclists – make serious mistakes. If you get injured in such an accident, you need to know what legal options you have to seek compensation.]]>