How New York Labor Laws Protect Injured Workers
Every state has very specific labor laws. They govern how employers can treat and interact with employees. It is important to know that these laws are in place to ensure employees are safe on the job. Even when they are in place, and a company works hard to ensure they are maintained, accidents can happen. When they do, the employer may be responsible for any losses the employee incurs. As an employee, it is important that you know what your rights are. If you’ve suffered any type of loss while on the job, it is important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney. You also need to act quickly to ensure your rights are protected. Let the team at Siler & Ingber, LLP help you. Most Common Workplace Injuries in New York You do not have to have one of the most dangerous jobs in New York to experience loss. It can happen at nearly any place of employment. Some of the most common injuries and illnesses to happen in New York workplaces include the following: Sprains and strains make up a large portion of these incidents. They often come from heavy lifting or twisting. Fractures and broken bones are common especially as a result of falls. Cuts and lacerations to various degrees, often from equipment or instruments, are common. Bruising and contusions often occur from falling objects. Traumatic injuries such as falls from high heights are another key area of concern. Other injuries that can occur include heat burns, chemical burns, amputations, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Because there are so many risks at any job, New York’s labor laws are in place to help you. These laws are designed to do several things: They establish how work tasks are to be done to minimize the risk of injury or illness. They provide employers with rules related to how to compensate employees in a fair manner. They outline steps employers must take when someone suffers a loss. They also determine who can work for a company, as well as how employers must avoid discrimination. These laws are extensive and in place to minimize your risks as an employee. Yet, accidents and mistakes happen. Know Your Rights After an Incident Occurs There are two key areas to focus on here. First, you have rights under the state’s laws regarding injuries. This falls under the state’s workers compensation laws. Second, you have the right to protection after a labor law violation. What are the labor laws that are in place to help you as an employee? The Department of Labor for New York State lays out each one of these laws. You can view more information about each one at the website. Some key areas to look into include the following: Wage and hour laws Farm labor laws Nursing mothers and their rights on the job Child labor laws Payment in the form of tips and reporting requirements Professional employer organizations Overtime laws Payment laws including deductions If you feel you have suffered any type of loss in these areas – whether it is due to the way you were treated or paid or to an injury, it is important to seek out help immediately. How to File a Claim for Labor Law Violations and Losses If you suffer an injury at work, your first step is to request to file a workers compensation claim. It is not as simple if you suffer a labor law violation, though. When this occurs, you should address the management or business owner, but if your needs are not met, you should seek out the support of an attorney. An attorney will help you to file a grievance against the company so that you can be fairly compensated for your losses. For example, you may not have been paid overtime when it was owed to you. We can help you prove your case and then help you file a claim with the employer for those losses. It’s critical to have a legal team behind you through this process. Trust an Injury Attorney to Help You File and Fight for Your Claim When you are hurt on the job, for any reason, it is important to report this to your employer right away. Even if the employer takes steps to file a claim, you will still want to hire an attorney to ensure you get all of the compensation owed to you. That’s where we can help you. At Siler & Ingber, LLP our team has workplace injury attorneys in New York that can offer you a free case review. Let’s talk about your case and find out if you need to file an additional claim. With over 20 years of experience and an aggressive win record, you can count on our team to help you through this process. Call us now for a free case review at 877-718-6079, or provide us with more information online. Related Information NY Labor Law 200 NY Labor Law 240 NY Labor Law 241
Valentine’s Day Injuries
Valentine’s Day…a day for flowers and chocolates, romance and surprises. But by surprises, we don’t mean surprise trips to the emergency room! Injuries sustained on Valentine’s Day can range from ordinary accidents to unexpected nightmares. When striving to go above and beyond to make your Valentine feel special this holiday, take a second to review these common mistakes that can quickly turn your magical night into a disaster. NON-EDIBLE ENGAGEMENT RINGS Hiding an engagement ring in a glass of a champagne, or on top of a delectable dessert, always seems like a good idea in hindsight. But if your date is as surprised by the proposal as you hope her to be, she might not take notice of the ring until she swallows it. Chances are, waiting for the ring ‘to pass’ is not the romantic gesture anyone is looking for. HOME COOKING NIGHTMARES If you’re planning a home cooked meal for a relaxing night in, don’t lose your focus in the kitchen. Snipping fingers or accidentally setting a hand on a burner are common errors when rushing to impress a dinner guest. Pay attention when preparing your dinner, especially when operating the stove or sharp knives, or you could be eating your Valentine’s Day meal from the hospital vending machines. FOOD ALLERGY DANGER Does your date have a food allergy? You may want to check before buying or cooking anything this holiday. Every three minutes, someone goes to the emergency room due to a food allergy according to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) and you don’t want your date to be one of them. For kids with allergies, there are plenty of fun allergy free options to celebrate the holiday at school and at home! (https://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/tips-to-safely-celebrate-valentines-day-with-food-allergies) UNROMANTIC FLAMES In the midst of romance, it’s not hard to forget the simple things in life. But preventing a house fire should always be at the top of your list. Turn off the stove, tend to the fireplace, and don’t forget to blow out those pesky candles before you end your night. DRIVING AFTER TOO MANY TOASTS As with any holiday, motorists are more likely to drink and drive on Valentine’s Day. If you want to have a carefree night without the worry of who is driving home, prepare a ride ahead using options such as Uber, Lyft, Safe Ride, taxi’s or public transportation to ensure everyone arrives home safely. ROMANCE GONE WRONG February is one of the highest months for ‘love’ related injuries according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). With many failed attempts to spice up the night, emergency rooms have seen everything: from broken bones to lacerations to burns and other unspeakable injuries. Try to be safe this holiday and if something does go wrong, don’t wait! Seek medical attention immediately. If you’ve sustained an injury or illness this Valentine’s Day due to the negligence of another, don’t hesitate to call our winning team at Siler & Ingber, LLP. Give us a call today at 1-877-529-4343 or contact us online through the form below to schedule an appointment.
Winter Raises Fear of Fires
Thankfully fire officials reported there were no injuries in a fire early yesterday that damaged a home in Port Jefferson Station. It took members of the Terryville Fire Department and firefighters from four other jurisdictions to bring the blaze under control, fire officials said. Recently, local news stations have been flooded with reports of house and apartment fires all across the state, New York City especially. In our state alone, more than 17 people have already died from house fires just since 2018 began! House fires occur more during the frigid months of winter than any other time of the year. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), half of all residential fires are reported in the months of December, January, and February. In hopes of reducing the number of house fires that could still occur this season, the NFPA and the U.S. National Fire Administration have developed the Put a Freeze on Winter Fires campaign. This educational movement aims to protect the public by highlighting the most common causes of winter fires and how to keep your home safe from these hazards. WATCH THOSE HEATERS A cozy warm home is essential in the winter time, but heating equipment is the second leading cause of all house fires reported in the nation, responsible for 1 in 5 fire-related deaths. To reduce fires caused by heating systems, fire officials recommend keeping anything flammable in your home at least 3-feet from any fireplace, wood stove, radiator, or space heater. For portable units, the NFPA suggests plugging in one unit at a time so you can safely monitor any obstructions getting too close. DANGEROUS WINTER STORMS Treacherous winter storms create perfect conditions for house fires to occur. Strong snowy winds can knock down power lines, sparking fires that are extremely difficult to extinguish. Power outages are also when residents tend to use unsafe heating equipment to battle the cold temperatures in their home. Make sure you prepare for storms by keeping appropriate emergency heating equipment readily available such as extra clothing, space blankets, chemical hand and body warmers, and wood for fireplaces and wood stoves. Kerosene and propane heaters can also be extremely helpful but only when used safely. GENERATORS ARE LIFESAVERS…AND FIRE STARTERS Generators are lifesavers when the power goes out. However, generators themselves are extremely flammable and can easily cause a house fire when misused. The NFPA encourages residents to always operate their generators in well ventilated areas, at least 5-feet away from any door or window, and never in an attached garage. Always turn off the generator before refueling and keep it clear of debris. Also, make sure to only plug in appliances with undamaged cords directly into the generator or a heavy duty outdoor extension cord. CANDLES AREN’T ALWAYS ROMANTIC According to the NFPA, between 2011-2015 at least 24 candle fires were reported nationally- per day! The use of candles tends to increase during the winter months, particularly during holidays and power outages. NFPA officials recommend using battery powered lanterns or flameless candles as a safer alternative to candles. If you must use candles, keep them far from flammable materials, away from rooms where people sleep, and always remember to blow them out when leaving the room. CLEAN YOUR CHIMNEY The NFPA reports about 28% of fires are caused by dirty fireplaces. This sounds a little strange, but failing to clean the creosote from chimneys can easily cause your house to catch fire. Make sure to get your chimney serviced by a qualified professional at least once a year for a safe working fireplace when you need one the most. NOT SAFE FOR HEATING USE In times of desperation, some residents have resorted to unsafe equipment as a heat source. Stoves and hot plates should NEVER be used to heat a home. This equipment is not made for home heating purposes and can cause fires and serious burns when used inappropriately. There’s no need for unnecessary fire hazards in your home this winter. For more information on how to keep your house safe from winter blazes, check out the NFPA’s website for endless helpful tips! (https://www.nfpa.org/) If you or a loved has been a victim of a house fire due to the negligence of another, our dedicated attorney’s at Siler & Ingber are here to help. Every new client is entitled to a free consultation with a member of our team. Give us a call today at 1-877-529-4343 or fill out the contact form below to schedule your appointment.
Siler & Ingber Support Heart Health Month
Every day, almost 2,200 American die from cardiovascular disease- that’s an average of one death every 40 seconds. To inspire Americans to focus on their heart health, the American Heart Association has named February American Heart Month, and Siler & Ingber, LLP could not be more proud to support the cause. To kick off the month, our family at Siler & Ingber will be participating in National Wear Red Day® starting February 2nd to help save lives by spreading public awareness of cardiovascular disease. By encouraging those around you to make healthier life choices, you can lower the risk of heart disease as much as 80% by just making modest changes to your lifestyle! HEART HEALTH: THE FACTS Your heart is one of the most vital and magnificent organs in your body… the heart physically works harder than any other muscle in the body on average, your heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood every day for an individual who is 70-years-old, their heart has already beat more than 2.5 billions times As amazing as the heart is, it can often be neglected, causing thousands upon thousands of unnecessary deaths around the country every year. WHAT CAUSES HEART DISEASE According to the experts, most heart issues stem from atherosclerosis– a process where plaque builds up in the artery walls and blocks blood flow to the heart. Narrow arteries require your heart to work harder to pump blood through the body and allows less blood to flow through causing a number of heart conditions, including: heart failure or congestive heart failure strokes arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm heart valve issues blood clots in the arteries Heart disease can easily worsen when individuals are not aware of the issues. For women, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country, and some believe a lack of awareness is to blame. HOW TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE The American Heart Association and Siler & Ingber believe that education and awareness is the first fight against heart disease. Though there are genetic conditions you cannot prevent, there are a number of steps you can take in your life to decrease your chances of developing heart disease: maintain a healthy diet exercise regularly watch your cholesterol levels keep blood pressure in control decrease unnecessary stress do not smoke limit sugary foods to manage blood sugar In addition to lifestyle changes, visiting your doctor for annual physicals can also help catch heart conditions before they become severe.
Drowsy Driving: An Underrated Danger
When you ask someone what the most dangerous actions behind the wheel are, they’re likely to give you an answer from a short list: texting, using a cell phone, or driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. They might be aware that eating and drinking while driving is also a problem, or even that talking to passengers in the car is one of the most frequent causes of distracted driving crashes, especially for younger drivers. But most people might not immediately mention drowsy driving, even though it’s one of the biggest risk factors on the road. Flashier problems with greater media interest, like texting while driving or Instagram speed filter crashes, tend to grab the headlines. One in Five Fatalities The drowsy driving problem is not new: Traffic researchers have been aware of it for many years, and federal regulations for commercial drivers have included on- and off-duty rest period rules for quite some time. Researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have repeatedly estimated that about 2.5 percent of traffic fatalities can be directly blamed on drivers who fell asleep at the wheel. Their latest report, released this fall, attributed more than 4,100 deaths between 2011 and 2015 to this problem. Others think those numbers don’t account for the true scale of the problem. In a 2014 report, AAA determined that sleepy drivers may account for closer to 21 percent of all fatal crashes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees that the problem is probably much more serious: Researchers believe that around 6,000 deaths each year might be the result of drowsy driving. Even the NHTSA acknowledges that its data collection methods might lead to significant underestimation. Less Sleep, Higher Risk It’s not simply a matter of trying to stay awake too long, either. Drivers who don’t sleep enough before hitting the road have a measurable and escalating risk of causing a crash. Anything less than seven hours of sleep brings an increased risk, with a mere two-hour sleep deficit nearly doubling crash risk. It goes up sharply from there, with drivers who slept less than four hours having a crash risk more than eleven times that of drivers who got a full night’s rest. That’s the equivalent of driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.12 to 0.15—nearly double the legal limit for an automatic drunk driving charge. Long Island Car Accident Lawyer When you’ve been the victim of a car accident, it’s important to contact an experienced Long Island car accident lawyer before you take steps to recover compensation from those who caused the crash. The odds are good—even as high as one in five—that the driver who caused the crash contributed to it by not getting enough sleep. The attorneys at Siler & Ingber, LLP understand this kind of case, and as part of the investigation into your claim, we’ll work to uncover information that will help prove the liability of the other driver. Every new client is entitled to a free consultation with a member of our team. Give us a call today at 1-877-718-6079 or fill out the contact form below to schedule your appointment.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Toys of 2017
The holiday shopping season is in full swing! With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us, it’s possible your closets are filling up quick with bargain priced gifts and surprises. As essential as it is to snag a great deal on gifts this time of year, it’s also important to make sure you are buying safe products, especially when purchasing for children. World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH), is a non-profit group dedicating their efforts towards awareness of harmful toys and children’s products currently available for purchase on the marketplace. Beginning in 1968, WATCH has been educating the public on safe buying practices for almost 50 years, creating significant change in the recall process on children’s items. Just in time for the gifting season, WATCH released its list of the ’10 Worst Toys’ on the 2017 market. We’ve briefly highlighted the dangers of each toy on the list to help you make safe purchases for your young ones this holiday and quickly return any items of concern before its too late: Hallmark ‘Itty Bittys’ Baby Stacking Toy This toy was officially recalled by CPSC in August of this year. However, this does not stop vendors who have these items in stock from selling them. Fabric hats and bows on this toy have been found to detach, posing a significant choking hazard for young children. Razor Jetts Heel Wheels Wheelies have been around for quite some time, but this product is slightly different. Featuring ‘real sparking’ wheels, this toy screams safety hazard for both the child wearing them and the children standing by to observe. Wonder Woman Battle Sword Made from a rigid plastic, you wouldn’t want your kids fighting each other with this sword. The design of the blade can cause significant damage to face and other areas of the body often struck during play fights. Pull Along Polly The pull string on this toy surpasses the 12-inch long limit on standard crib toys, measuring at a surprising 19-inches long. This length of the cord could cause strangulation, especially in the small children it’s made for. Spider-Man Spider- Drone Official Movie Edition Like most drones, this product requires the use of blades to launch into the air. The design of these blades are extremely dangerous for young consumers and can cause injury if used incorrectly or unsupervised. Hand Fidgetz Spinners Exploding to the height of popularity in April of this year, these products are everywhere this season. Further studies have shown these devices can contain high lead levels, as well as reach dangerous temperatures when charging. Though not meant to be sold as a kids toy, these spinners are often found in the toy sections at stores and even given away as novelty gifts to children of all ages. Nerf Zombie Strike Deadbolt Crossbow This nerf gun is known for having a forceful release of the crossbow arrows when shooting, posing a risk of eye and other facial injuries to young spectators- and parent targets! Oval Xylophone Another toy geared towards young children that does not meet the measurement requirements! This xylophone has a 9.5-inch long drumstick handle which could block the airways of the 12-month babies it is marketed towards. Slackers Slackline Classic Series Kit The label on this product warns consumers that there is potential of causing “severe injury or even death”. This product can cause injury by falling or strangulation, yet is marketed to children of all ages. Brianna Baby Doll This realistic doll includes possible harmful accessories for young children. Ponytail holders and removable outfits on the doll can pose choking hazards for the 18-month and older age group it’s geared towards. For more product safety information and demonstrations on this years dangers toys, WATCH’s website is packed with consumer references to help you shop safer for your children this holiday. If your child was injured or killed due to manufacturers negligence of a toy or children’s product, contact our dedicated team at Siler and Ingber, LLP for help. Give us a call today at 1-877-718-6079 for a free consultation or contact us through the online form for support.
Beware of These Popular Hazards on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the ultimate celebration of comfort food, football games, and joyful reunions among families and friends. With so much to look forward to this holiday season, safety and caution can often fall to the waist side, allowing for unnecessary hazards to ruin cheerful traditions. Though the blessed day of Christmas has gained the #1 spot for the deadliest holiday of the year, these popular Thanksgiving hazards should not be taken lightly: Vehicle Accidents Increased travelers on the road and turkey dinner deadlines have drivers more than a little distracted around this time of year. Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend alone, the National Safety Council predicts about 418 accident fatalities and 44,700 sustained injuries from congested roads. Drivers under the influence when operating their vehicles are also a significant cause of the rise in accidents this time of year. Making sure you have a designated driver and always practice defensive driving is essential to staying safe under these conditions. Burning Disasters Most of us have heard the stories about the exploding deep-fried Thanksgiving turkeys. Unfortunately, these are no joke! Statistics released by the U.S. Fire Administration show over 4,000 fires are reported on Thanksgiving alone, causing well over $15-million in home damages. Deep frying turkey accidents are certainly high up on the list, but other fires from unsupervised ovens and crowded stove tops are certainly culprits as well. Keep an eye on the kitchen this holiday and NEVER fry a turkey frozen. Harmful Pet Scraps What’s the harm in giving your dog a leftover turkey leg- possibly his life. Pet deaths and injuries on Thanksgiving increase due to the availability of extra table scraps that can cause harm to pets. Hazards such as hidden sharp turkey bones and unsafe food items can be extremely harmful to their digestive systems. Dishes that contain ingredients such as garlic, leeks, onions, and grapes are known to cause damage to red blood cells and kidneys in dogs. Sticking to their daily diet is much safer than risking a treat of table food at dinner. Increased Heart Troubles It’s easy to get carried away with celebratory foods and drinks during Thanksgiving. But for older or overweight individuals, getting out of control with comfort foods can result in severe consequences. A sudden increase in overindulgence to the digestive system can cause stress on your heart, leading to regular heart-beats nicknamed ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome’ back in 1978. A study out of University of California also showed a 15% spike in heart attacks in men compared to a 27% increase for women on this holiday. Contaminated Foods Turkeys are not the easiest birds to cook, especially ones of massive size. With limited times to prepare Thanksgiving dinner, it’s not uncommon for few of these main dishes to be served a bit undercooked. Consuming undercooked poultry is extremely dangerous, resulting in the risk of contracting salmonella. Turkey timers included with the supermarket birds are not always trustworthy, so making sure to check the turkey with an internal thermometer will help prevent your dinner guests from leaving with a stomach ache. It’s also advised to store any leftovers within a minimum of two hours before they should be tossed to avoid eating food poisoning bacteria. Like any another holiday, Thanksgiving can be slightly stressful. But it doesn’t have to be dangerous! Keeping these factors in mind when planning for you holiday will help keep you and your family safe this Thanksgiving and ready to enjoy the festivities ahead. If you or a loved one have sustained an injury due to the negligence of others, contact our winning team at Siler & Ingber for your free consultation. Call today at 1-877-718-6079.
New York Hospitals Ranked Among the Worst for Patient Safety
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Naturally, keeping this statistic in mind, New York patients are looking for the highest quality medical care they can find. But how do you know which medical centers focus on patient safety and which ones fall short of the quality standard? As a leader in advocating for the public, Leapfrog Safety Grade is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing complete transparency when it comes to healthcare. Leapfrog’s grading system uses letter ratings from A-F to evaluate facilities on: Doctors, Nurses & Staff Practices to Prevent Errors Infections Safety Problems Problems with Surgery This fall, Leapfrog published the biannual rating list for New York hospitals- the results were shockingly disappointing. Out of 142 New York medical facilities evaluated: Only 7 hospitals received an ‘A’ rating 26 hospitals received a ‘D’ rating 3 NYC hospitals received an ‘F’ rating Three hospitals receiving a failing grade may not seem too terrible. But when learning there were only 15 failed ratings given nationwide, that puts 20% of these facilities in New York! In addition, New York was rated 47th out of 50 states for providing effective patient safety measures. Now, these ratings do not imply there are only seven hospitals in the state that patients should trust with their medical care, and they aren’t meant to devalue NY medical facilities. In 2012, when Leapfrog first began publishing the letter grades, hospitals and medical centers with unsatisfactory ratings were shown to improve significantly in quality care. By holding medical facilities accountable for providing the safest care for their patients, these organizations are changing for the better. For more information on the how New York medical facilities rated near you, take a look at the full Fall 2017 list below: A- Catholic Health – Kenmore Mercy Hospital– Kenmore Catholic Health System – Sisters of Charity Hospital– Buffalo Highland Hospital of Rochester– Rochester John T. Mather Memorial Hospital– Port Jefferson Oneida Healthcare Center– Oneida RGHS – Rochester General Hospital– Rochester Saratoga Hospital– Saratoga Springs B- Aurelia Osborn Fox Memorial Hospital– Oneonta Bon Secours Community Hospital– Port Jervis Catholic Health System – Mercy Hospital of Buffalo– Buffalo Catholic Health System -Sisters Hospital – St. Joseph Campus– Cheektowaga Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center– Plattsburgh Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic– Clifton Springs Eastern Long Island Hospital– Greenport Glens Falls Hospital– Glens Falls Guthrie Corning Hospital– Corning Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home– Gloversville New York-Presbyterian Queens– Flushing Nicholas H. Noyes Memorial Hospital– Dansville Northern Dutchess Hospital– Rhinebeck Northern Westchester Hospital– Mount Kisco Northwell Health – Huntington Hospital– Huntington NYC Health + Hospitals – Lincoln– Bronx NYC Health + Hospitals – Metropolitan– New York NYC Health + Hospitals – Queens– Jamaica NYU Winthrop Hospital– Mineola Oswego Hospital– Oswego Putnam Hospital Center– Carmel Southampton Hospital– Southampton Catherine of Siena Medical Center– Smithtown Charles Hospital– Port Jefferson Francis Hospital, Roslyn, New York– Roslyn Joseph’s Hospital Health Center– Syracuse Mary’s Hospital of Amsterdam– Amsterdam Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester– Rochester United Memorial Medical Center– Batavia Unity Hospital– Rochester Vassar Brothers Medical Center– Poughkeepsie C- Albany Medical Center– Albany Alice Hyde Medical Center– Malone Arnot Ogden Medical Center– Elmira Auburn Community Hospital– Auburn Bassett Medical Center– Cooperstown Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center Concourse Campus– Bronx Buffalo General Medical Center– Buffalo Canton-Potsdam Hospital– Potsdam Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca– Ithaca Columbia Memorial Health– Hudson Crouse Hospital– Syracuse DeGraff Memorial Hospital– North Tonawanda Erie County Medical Center– Buffalo Faxton St Luke’s Healthcare– Utica Flushing Hospital Medical Center– Flushing Geneva General Hospital– Geneva Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center– West Islip Jamaica Hospital Medical Center– Jamaica Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center– Brooklyn Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital– Forest Hills Long Island Jewish Medical Center– New Hyde Park Long Island Jewish Valley Stream– Valley Stream Lutheran Medical Center– Brooklyn Mercy Medical Center– Rockville Centre MidHudson Regional Hospital of Westchester Medical Center– Poughkeepsie Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital– Williamsville Montefiore Einstein Campus– Bronx Montefiore Moses Campus– Bronx Montefiore Wakefield Campus– Bronx Mount Sinai Brooklyn– Brooklyn Mount Sinai Beth Israel– New York Mount Sinai Queens– Long Island City Mount Sinai St. Luke’s–New York Mount Sinai West– New York Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center– Lewiston Nassau University Medical Center– East Meadow New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center– New York New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital– Cortlandt Manor New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital– Bronxville New York-Presbyterian The Allen Hospital– New York New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center– New York New York-Presbyterian, Lower Manhattan Hospital– New York Newark-Wayne Community Hospital– Newark North Shore University Hospital– Manhasset Northwell Health System – Glen Cove Hospital– Glen Cove Northwell Health System – Syossett Hospital– Syosset Nyack Hospital– Nyack NYC Health + Hospitals – Harlem– New York NYC Health + Hospitals – Woodhull– Brooklyn NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue– New York NYU Langone Medical Center– New York Orange Regional Medical Center– Middletown Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital– Binghamton Peconic Bay Medical Center– Riverhead Phelps Memorial Hospital Center– Sleepy Hollow Rome Memorial Hospital– Rome Samaritan Medical Center– Watertown South Nassau Communities Hospital– Oceanside St John’s Riverside Hospital – Dobbs Ferry Pavilion– Dobbs Ferry St John’s Riverside Hospital – ParkCare Pavilion– Yonkers Anthony Community Hospital– Warwick Barnabas Hospital– Bronx John’s Riverside Hospital– Yonkers Joseph Hospital– Bethpage Joseph’s Medical Center of Yonkers– Yonkers Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Cornwall Campus– Cornwall Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Newburgh Campus– Newburgh Peter’s Hospital (Albany, NY)– Albany Stony Brook University Hospital– Stony Brook The Mount Sinai Hospital– New York Upstate University Hospital – Community Campus– Syracuse Westchester Medical Center– Valhalla White Plains Hospital– White Plains Wyckoff Heights Medical Center– Brooklyn D- Adirondack Medical Center– Saranac Lake Albany Memorial Hospital– Albany Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center– Patchogue Catskill Regional Medical Center of Harris– Harris Cortland Regional Medical Center– Cortland Eastern Niagara Hospital Lockport– Lockport Ellis Medicine– Schenectady F. Thompson Hospital– Canandaigua HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley – Broadway Campus– Kingston Maimonides Medical Center– Brooklyn Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital– New Rochelle New York Community Hospital– Brooklyn New York Methodist Hospital– Brooklyn Northwell
The Most Dangerous Jobs in New York
All jobs include some risk of injury, even if it’s very small. In most years, there are very few occupations in which no one suffers a serious or fatal injury, regardless of how safe that job might seem. You probably won’t raise an eyebrow to hear that, across the United States, more than 900 people in the construction trades and over 200 in public safety jobs died at work in 2015. But it might surprise you to learn, for example, that, in the same year, three meeting and event planners, four real estate agents, and one radio and television announcer also died in workplace accidents. How safe are New York workers, and which workers are injured the most? Let’s take a look. More Than 200,000 Injuries The state of New York had a total of more than 209,000 workplace injuries and serious workplace-related illnesses in 2015. More than half of those illnesses and injuries led to a worker losing at least one day of work. That number might seem like a lot, and it is, but New York workers are safer than the national average. Workers here are injured at the rate of about 2.4 per 100 each year, while that number is 3.0 per 100 nationally. The difference might seem small, but at the higher rate, New York would see more than half a million additional injuries each year. Most Injured, Most Dangerous The professions with the most injuries are not necessarily those that are the most dangerous. In New York, for example, most injuries happen to state and local government workers and those in educational and health services professions. But that’s likely because there are more people doing those jobs than most others. When it comes to which workers have the greatest chance of being injured on the job, the situation is a little different. At least one of the top three job categories with the highest injury risk might surprise you: Healthcare workers lead the way, with 12.7 injuries per 100 per year. Public administration workers (police, firefighters, and other public safety officials) are injured at a rate of 8.5 per 100 per year. Workers in natural resources jobs (mining, agriculture, fishing, and the like), traditionally dangerous occupations, have the third highest rate of injury (six per 100)—more than double the state average. Most Deadly On the other hand, if we look at the worst on-the-job accidents—those that are fatal—the picture is different. Natural resources jobs are at the top of the list in terms of risk to workers, with construction well behind but still far ahead of all other professions. New York saw 236 on-the-job fatalities in 2015, and when you exclude traffic fatalities and violent acts while working, construction was most dangerous (as in most years), leading to nearly 40 percent of all on-the-job deaths in the state. Falls and being struck by heavy objects or equipment at a worksite were the most common reasons. Long Island Workplace Injury Lawyer Almost all on-the-job injuries are preventable. They happen because workplace safety isn’t enforced, workers aren’t trained properly, or for some other reason that allows foreseeable hazards to exist. When you’ve been injured on the job, workers compensation insurance may cover some of the harm, but it’s important to discuss your situation with an attorney immediately to see whether you’re able to pursue additional compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Siler & Ingber, LLP are experienced with Long Island workplace injury law, and we offer every client a free initial consultation. To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-718-6079 or enter your information into the online contact form at the bottom of the page today.
The Consequences of Video and Live Streaming Abuse
Live streaming on social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram have been all the rage since their release back in 2015. Participants are able to share videos of concerts, events, and funny anecdotes in real time instantly with family and friends, without the hassle of a separate uploading process. What was not the intention of these enhanced features is the broadcasting of harmful pranks, felony crimes, and murders/deaths that are increasingly filling news feeds of social media users. • This past summer, an 18-year-old woman was live streaming on Instagram while driving drunk in her car near Los Bonos, California. Also in the car were two 14-year-olds passengers; her sister and her sister’s friend. Neither one of the younger teens were wearing a seatbelt when the driver lost control, rolled the car, and crashed into a fence, ejecting both passengers from the vehicle. The driver captured the crash and the aftermath of the accident on video, instantly streaming to the online community. Sadly, her sister was killed in the accident, while her friend sustained serious injuries. • In the winter of 2016, two teenage girls were tragically killed while live streaming a video on Facebook and driving on a Pennsylvania highway. With their focus on the phone, a semi-truck barreled into the back of the car, instantly killing both teens upon impact. The truck driver was unharmed. If you think live streaming is only abused by teens, we are sorry to report its an issue among people of many ages. • Last winter, a 20-year-old man was driving at speeds up to 116 miles an hour in Rhode Island, all while live streaming the joy ride for friends on Facebook. The video shows the car dangerously swerving in and out of lanes before it ended abruptly due to the car crashing into a garbage truck. The driver sustained serious injuries and his car was mangled from the accident. Luckily, the truck driver sustained no injuries. • In July 2017, a 27-year-old man was drinking and driving, while live streaming himself being chased by police! In the live video, the driver can be seen drinking whiskey, while driving on Clearwater beach among several beachgoers running to safety. Thankfully, no pedestrians were injured and the driver was taken into police custody after surrendering when driving to a dead-end. These incidents are only a few of the many accidents and deaths that have resulted in people live streaming while driving. Distracted driving is already out of control, yet live streaming is taking drivers to a whole new terrifying level of distraction. It is illegal in most states to use hand-held phones while driving, so some individuals are mounting phones for ‘safer’ live streaming. This method is still not effective, as the phone continues to grab your attention off the road while you’re concentrated on the subject of the video. The safest way to live stream yourself while driving- there is none! Live streaming while driving is reckless and dangerous. It doesn’t matter if you are filming an accident, a crime, or a car karaoke session; live streaming while driving can cause serious injury and death to you, your family members, and others around you. If you MUST live stream in your car, save the videos for when you are safely parked in a lot or your driveway, but never while the car is moving or on the road. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed by a distracted driver, our team is here for support. Contact our winning legal team, Siler & Ingber, at 877.529.4343 for a free, confidential legal consultation to learn more about your options.
