Friedman & Cool, LLC

What Are The Risks Of Working With Hazardous Drugs?

2025-04-22T06:23:15Z

11 million people worked for the health industry in 2019 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Around 8 million of them have constant exposure to hazardous drugs, which causes them to develop different illnesses and health conditions. The consequences of hazardous drug exposure can be serious, and those who work in the industry mustn’t delay a doctor’s visit when they start showing symptoms of a condition. When such an event happens, the ill workers have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits.

The effects of drug exposure

Hazardous drugs can harm health care workers. The severity of the possible illnesses depends on several factors, such as the drug’s toxicity, potency, and the level of exposure to the drug. Some of the most common health effects of hazardous drug exposure are:

Skin rashes
Nausea
Hair loss
Adverse reproductive outcomes
Cancer
Liver and kidney damage
Hearing impairment

Drugs used to treat cancer, antineoplastic agents, cause most of the severe conditions. However, exposure to other drugs like antibacterials, estrogens and oxytocics can also cause irreversible effects on the worker’s health.

Protection against hazardous drugs

Health care employers know about these risks. Because of this, they must take safety measures to protect their workers from the dangers of hazardous drugs exposure. Employers can reduce the probability of an illness by:

Labeling all drugs so that workers know how to handle them
Eliminating automated counting machines for hazardous drugs, as these can contaminate the work area with the toxic chemicals
Using liquid formulations
Giving their employees protective equipment
Using effective engineering controls

Employers can reduce the risks by setting these measures. However, they are still responsible for compensating their employers if they get sick because of this toxic exposure to chemicals.

Health comes first

If you are a health care worker and handle hazardous drugs, you must seek medical assistance whenever you start suspecting you are ill. If you have a condition, your employer must compensate you for your medical expenses and lost wages. Health care workers deserve quality medical treatment to heal, and they have the right to fight for it.

The Persistent Threat Of Violence Against Health Care Workers

2024-06-10T11:58:07Z

When most people think of occupations at risk for violent attacks, police officers, security guards and similar occupations probably come to mind. What people often overlook is the extreme risk of violent attacks health care workers face every day. In fact, nurses, nursing assistants and other health care personnel are four times more likely than other workers to suffer violent attacks on the job. A shocking 86% of emergency room workers have been assaulted on the job.

Protections for Ohio medical workers

In 2012, the Workplace Violence Act went into effect in Ohio, providing enhanced protections to people who work in the medical field. Key features of the law include:

Increased fines imposed against people who commit assault against health care workers, from a maximum fine of $1000 to a maximum fine of $5000
Increased criminal penalties against people who have previously been convicted of assaulting a health care worker, from a misdemeanor to a 5th-degree felony

While changes in the law were welcome, health care workers continue to endure violent attacks on the job, especially in the atmosphere of chaos, overcrowding and political divisiveness ushered in by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Threats abound

Violence against health care workers takes a variety of forms. Some of the ways this harmful phenomenon manifests include:

Patients striking out at medical personnel who are trying to administer medicine, apply bandages and perform other necessary treatment
Patients resisting restraints that are necessary for their own safety
Family members of patients seeking revenge against doctors and other providers when medical treatment was unsuccessful

If you are a health care worker and have suffered violence on the job, you are not alone and you don't have to face the financial consequences of a workplace injury by yourself. Legal options are available that may help you overcome this challenging set of circumstances.

Health Care Employees Most At Risk For Workplace Injuries

2023-10-18T08:56:50Z

Most people don’t think of working in health care as a hazardous profession. But U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) statistics show hospitals are the most dangerous workplaces, surpassing construction sites and manufacturing plants. In 2019, the DOL says 221,400 job-related illnesses and injuries occurred in U.S. hospitals. The rate of 5.5 injuries for every 100 employees is more than double that of other private-sector industries.

Top five hospital worker injuries

Of the frequent injuries that force health care employees to miss work, the most common are:

48%: Overexertion and bodily reaction
25%: Slips, trips and falls
13%: Contact with objects
9%: Violence
4%: Exposure to substances

Repetitive strain injuries and risk factors

Health care workers are among those most commonly reporting a repetitive strain injury (RSI). Also known as repetitive stress injuries, these cases result from gradual damage to tendons, muscles and nerves from continual motion. Common RSIs include:

Bursitis
Rotator cuff tendonitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow

These conditions can occur in office workers and other staff from typing or using a computer mouse. Nurses and others can experience RSI from frequent lifting, repositioning and transferring patients.

Don’t ignore the symptoms

These injuries can appear minor, but they can limit a person’s ability to do their job even if treated promptly. RSI usually affects the neck, shoulders, back, forearms, elbows, wrists and hands. Symptoms include:

Tenderness
Swelling
Mild to severe pain
Stiffness
Throbbing
Sensitivity to heat or cold
Weakness

Seek immediate medical attention for workplace injuries

The key to recovering from any workplace injury is prompt medical treatment, whether it’s an RSI, an acute injury from lifting a heavy object or slipping on a wet floor. When an injury happens on the job, it’s crucial to take advantage of workers’ compensation benefits. If you are injured and unsure of how to proceed, contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who understands the requirements and deadlines for filing a claim. Workers' comp is mandated insurance where there is no need to prove fault or assign blame. The bottom line is getting the benefits and treatment you are entitled to receive.

When Health Care Workers Suffer Injuries On The Job

2023-10-18T08:57:08Z

This last year has been especially difficult for those who work in healthcare. Doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, nursing home workers – many have had to step up and help take care of thousands of coronavirus patients. Many have come down with COVID-19 too and some haven’t survived. The increased stress and tough workload likely took a toll in other ways too.

Perhaps, a nurse suffered a serious back injury after trying to move a patient at the end of a long shift. She visits her doctor and learns she needs surgery and will be out of work for several weeks. Or a doctor slipped and fell on a wet hospital floor, one recently cleaned to lower infection risks. Maybe the doctor suffers a traumatic brain injury and can’t work for months. Believe it or not, working in healthcare has become one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States – even before the current health crisis. More than 2.8 million healthcare workers suffered workplace injuries and illnesses in 2017.

Workers’ compensation for healthcare workers

Any healthcare worker injured on the job, or who comes down with an illness related to their work, is eligible for workers’ compensation. In Ohio, workers’ compensation benefits will cover:

· Your medical bills to treat your illness or injury

· Your lost wages for when you can’t work because of your injury or illness

· Compensation if you suffer a permanent disability because of your injury or illness

· Compensation if your injury leads to lasting effects or permanent damage

For a doctor, a traumatic brain injury could have a lifelong impact on their career. They may not be able to see as many patients as they once did or they may have to retire. A nurse may be limited in the duties she can perform after a back or spine surgery or she may need to switch careers completely.

Getting the right level of workers’ comp

With the right workers’ compensation, an injured healthcare worker can get the money they need while they recover and can’t work. A healthcare worker can get the compensation they deserve if they suffer a permanent disability or have permanent damage. Yet in these situations, working closely with a workers’ compensation attorney is critical.

An attorney can help:

· Prove to your workers’ compensation provider that your injury occurred at work

· Prove if you had a pre-existing injury, it was aggravated by another injury that happened at work

· Prove you did suffer a permanent disability or lifelong limitation because of your workplace injury

With the right help, healthcare workers can move forward after suffering a workplace injury. They can get support if they need to focus on their recovery or if they need to a career transition to accommodate a lifelong disability.

Suffering A Workplace Lifting Injury In Bariatric Care

2023-10-18T08:57:17Z

Nurses and nursing assistants choose their profession largely out of the desire to help people. Unfortunately, the desire to help patients sometimes leads nurses to suffer a work-related injury. One of the most common workplace injuries nurses and nursing assistants suffer, especially in bariatric departments, is a back injury, sustained from lifting patients.

Workplace lifting injuries for nurses

While nurses and nursing assistants are using mechanical patient lifts more than ever before, they still suffer workplace lifting injuries more than other healthcare workers because of:

moving patients
helping patients get to the toilet
weighing patients

About 12% of nurses report leaving the profession because of back pain, sustained from patient lifting. For those nurses and nursing assistants who work in bariatric surgery departments, they face a higher risk of sustaining a workplace lifting injury because they work with obese patients. The more a patient weighs, the more force is required to move the patient. All it takes in bariatric care is one bad lift to cause a serious injury.

Suffering a workplace lifting injury

If you suffer a lifting injury as a nurse or nursing assistant in bariatric care, you need to report your injury to your employer immediately. You will need to file a workers’ compensation claim. You also need to seek medical treatment immediately. You even may need to have your injury evaluated by a doctor approved by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Many injured workers don’t seek help from a workers’ compensation attorney until they have problems collecting workers’ comp benefits or feel pressured to return to work by their employers. That’s not always the best plan. If you suffered a serious lifting injury and will need significant time off to recover, you should consult a workers’ compensation attorney sooner rather than later. You can avoid problems collecting your workers’ compensation benefits with an attorney’s help. When you suffer a lifting injury as a nurse or nursing assistant, you shouldn’t have to worry about paying your medical bills or missing work. Instead, you need to take the time to fully recover, so you are stronger and can better prevent another lifting injury in the future.

What If I’m Injured In A Hoyer Lift Accident At Work?

2023-10-18T08:57:33Z

Nursing home staff have difficult jobs. They have to care for patients with a wide array of needs. Some patients need diapers changed. Some need to be moved to avoid getting bedsores. Some need to get into their wheelchairs but need help getting out of bed. Using Hoyer lifts in nursing homes has become very common. They help nursing staffers lift and reposition patients, reducing the amount of strain on employees’ backs. However, accidents happen with Hoyer lifts. Sometimes, patients suffer injuries. Sometimes, staff members do. What happens if a nursing home staff member suffers an injury in a Hoyer lift accident?

At-work injuries eligible for workers’ compensation

Workers’ compensation does cover injuries nursing home employees suffer at work. In fact, even if you partially were responsible for the injury, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. To receive workers’ comp benefits, you need to report your injury to your employer right away. You benefits will cover your medical costs and the time you miss from work recovering from your injury. If you want maximum workers’ comp benefits, you need to follow your doctor’s treatment plan.

When problems arise with workers' comp claims

If you have problems getting your workers’ compensation benefits, you should consult an experienced attorney. Sometimes, workers’ compensation insurers need more evidence that your injury happened at work and isn’t the result of a preexisting condition. You shouldn’t have to worry about how a work injury is keeping you away from your job. You should receive the workers’ comp benefits you deserve so you can focus on recovering – and not have uncertainty about how to pay your bills.

4 Tips For Staying Safe On Your Motorcycle

2023-10-18T08:57:41Z

In 2018, the number of motorcyclists who died in collisions dropped by 5% from the year before, yet you know that riding a motorcycle still presents certain risks. Even though motorcycle crash fatalities decreased in 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that during this year, collisions still killed 4,985 motorcyclists. You must possess a different set of skills for riding a motorcycle compared with driving a car. Some of these skills include following certain safety guidelines to protect yourself and others on the road with you.

Put on a helmet and protective gear

One of the leading ways to prevent severe head injuries from a motorcycle crash is to always wear a helmet. Only certain riders in Ohio, however, must wear a helmet while on a motorcycle. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, motorcycle riders under the age of 18 and those who have held their license for a year or less must wear a helmet when they ride a motorcycle. You should also wear other protective gear, including gloves, boots with nonskid soles and leather clothing. If riding your motorcycle at night, make it easier for other drivers to see you by putting reflective tape on your clothing.

Improve your skills with ongoing education

Becoming a better motorcyclist can also improve your safety and prevent serious injuries. Consider sharpening your riding techniques by taking different courses or enrolling in a formal motorcycle education program.

Follow the rules of the road

Educate yourself about the rules of the road and traffic laws in your local area. You should also refrain from going over the speed limit.

Practice defensive driving

Never assume other drivers can see you on your motorcycle. Watch out for turning vehicles, stay out of the blind spot of other cars, ride with your headlights on and signal whenever you intend to change your lane.

Automation May Cause Worker Injuries

2023-10-18T08:57:50Z

Whether you love technology or see it as an unpredictable force, automation is becoming a way of life in the modern economy. As such, if you work in a warehouse, factory or production facility, you likely share your job site with some type of robot. When robots do dangerous jobs, they tend to keep flesh-and-blood workers safe. Unfortunately, automation may also put workers at risk. While robots may improve productivity, they have a major drawback. That is, they cannot think independently or solve problems. Accordingly, a robot may inadvertently cause serious injury or death. If you work in an automated environment, you should understand the inherent dangers of performing job duties near robots. Collisions  After programming, robots often move independently. Regrettably, if you are in the way of an automated system’s moving parts, you may suffer an impact injury. You may also become trapped inside or beneath automated equipment. Naturally, if you collide with a robot, you may sustain lacerations, broken bones, internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries and other types of bodily damage. Burns  Some machines operate at high temperatures. If you touch a hot surface, you may sustain first-, second- or third-degree burns. Keeping a safe distance, though, may not be an effective strategy for avoiding a burn. On the contrary, because super-heated fluids and hot exhaust are common with automated machines, you may be in danger of serious injury during a machine malfunction. Repetitive-stress injuries  Robots and other automated systems do not often work independently. On the contrary, they typically require human interaction. If you must regularly move in the same or similar ways to support automation, you may eventually develop a repetitive stress injury. While not usually acute, these injuries can have life-limiting consequences. Even though automation may make your work life easier, it does not come without its share of risks. You must, therefore, understand the potential danger you face when working with or near robots. Luckily, with a bit of knowledge and some care, you can minimize your chances of sustaining a serious robot-related injury.

Risks And Hazards Faced By Emergency First Responders

2023-10-18T08:57:59Z

Because of the speed at which they respond to emergencies, first responders and ambulance drivers face significantly higher risks of on-the-job injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the average number of accidents involving ambulances accounted for more than 4,000 collisions each year. As reported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, one-third of ambulance accidents over 20 years resulted in serious injuries incurred by drivers, medical personnel and patients in transport. Included among the injured were pedestrians and other drivers. When involved in a collision or crash, ambulances could eject emergency first responders and patients. It is not uncommon for emergency vehicles to lack adequate vehicle safety restraints. While federal law requires passenger vehicles to contain safety restraints, ambulances do not fall under the same regulatory guidelines. Each local fire department or emergency medical services company has the authority to determine the quality of vehicles purchased and whether it should install additional restraints. First responder injuries Unless they receive specialized training in high-speed driving, ambulance drivers and EMS crews are at greater risk of sustaining serious or catastrophic injuries. Constantly lifting patients and other medical equipment may contribute to serious back injuries. Breathing in compressed gases or cleaning agents, along with slipping and falling, also occur regularly while on duty. Drivers often serve a dual function as emergency medical technicians and may assist in unusual and dangerous circumstances. They may find themselves dispatched to locations where chemical or biological harm is imminent. Drivers can also face exposure to patients with highly contagious diseases. Because of the extreme pressure of responding to disasters, first responders may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, which could make it difficult for them to carry out their duties. Workers' compensation claims to recover Health care and emergency response employees who experience work-related injuries and illnesses may apply for workers' compensation benefits whether affected physically or emotionally. Approved benefits may cover an injured employee's medical expenses, rehabilitation, physical therapy and lost wages from taking time off from work.

Common Delivery Driver Injuries

2023-10-18T08:58:09Z

Working as a delivery driver comes with a lot of hazards. While it may not seem like that dangerous of a job, it can be due to the nature of driving a lot and visiting people's homes. You never know what may happen. Safety Company explains that for the typical delivery driver, the main job duties of picking up and delivering goods can introduce several common injury possibilities. Knowing what risks you could face on the job may help you to avoid them and keep yourself safer while at work. Collisions Because you will spend the majority of your day on the road, you have to be alert and aware to avoid accidents. You should make sure that you never drive when you are too tired, and certainly never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications that warn against operating heavy machinery. Follow road laws and drive safely, which means do not speed, use your turning signals and pay attention to parking laws. Strains Back injuries are very common among delivery drivers. You need to make sure that you practice safe lifting techniques while moving packages. You should get assistance if needed or use equipment to carry heavy packages to avoid strain. Also, make sure that your seat is comfortable, seeing as you will spend a bit of time behind the wheel. Sitting in an uncomfortable position can take its toll over time. Get a comfortable cushion if needed to help you keep proper spinal alignment. Miscellaneous There are many other hazards that you may come across on the job, such as slippery sidewalks and aggressive dogs. Make sure that you prepare for anything. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings to avoid an accident as you get out of your vehicle to make deliveries. Pay attention to the weather so that you know when sidewalks may have ice or snow on them.