President Obama signed an order last week for federal workplaces to improve employee safety within the next four years.  By 2014, he hopes that all government agencies will have reduced the number of injuries and illnesses to employees, reduced the time spent to review a claim, and sped up injured employees' returns to the workplace.

"Many of these work-related injuries and illnesses are preventable, and executive departments and agencies can and should do even more to improve workplace safety and health, reduce the financial burden of injury on taxpayers, and relieve unnecessary suffering by workers and their families," stated Obama.

Agencies will be responsible for any costs related to improving safety in the workplace.

If you or someone you love is seeking workers' compensation, contact the Charleston workers' compensation lawyers of The Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 to learn more about your rights. 

A trench collapse partly buried a South Carolina construction worker from Moorhead Construction. Independent Mail reports that the man, "had been installing a 6-inch water line near the intersection of Hopewell Road and Wilson Road just south of S.C. 81 in Anderson."

Emergency responders were able to rescue the man quickly and were partly aided by his fellow construction workers who began digging him out immediately. The man appeared to suffer from life-threatening injuries according to EMS. Chuck Cortez, manager of the water district, said that the worker suffered from broken ribs. 

The Independent Mail reports that Cortez is thrilled the incident was not any worse.

Construction sites can be dangerous. If you or someone you know was injured in a Charleston construction accident on the job, contact The Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.

This Tuesday, a California insurance broker pleaded guilty to grand theft and insurance fraud charges for scamming nearly $5 million from multiple companies. Other charges included transacting as an insurance business without a certificate of authority, tax fraud, forgery, premium fraud, and grand theft by embezzlement. The insurance broker sent out false certificates of insurance to four different companies with employees numbering over 75,000 combined.

This kind of fraud if more malicious than most, as it leaves legitimately injured workers unaware that they will not be able to claim benefits. Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner stated that any defendant who scams millions of dollars to support their own extravagant lifestyle deserves prison time.

Have you been a victim of workers' compensation insurance fraud? If you have questions regarding workers' compensation law, contact the Charleston workers comp lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm by calling 843-720-2800.

NJ Transit Employee Tony Araujo was awarded nearly $550,000 in a landmark case against his employers on April 6. The case represents a succesful implementation of the 3-year-old Federal Rail Safet Act, designed to protect workers from company reprisal should they report injuries or safety violations.

Araujo's doctors diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder and recommended he take a few weeks off of work after he witnesses the electrocution death of one of his coworkers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Whistleblower Office, Araujo’s superiors suspended him without pay in response. Araujo was also subjected to insults and accusations that he had been at fault for his coworker’s death.

Federal investigation has shown that NJ Transit disregarded Federal Rail Safety Act safety regulations and ignored Araujo’s rights. NJ Transit spokeswoman Penny Bassett Hackett, said that NJ Transit intends to appeal this ruling.

When an organization fails to meet safety standards, protect its employees from danger, or treats its employees illegally, it should be held to account in a court of law. If you or a loved one has been injured or wronged in the workplace, contact the Charleston workers comp lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm by calling 843-720-2800.

A Freightliner semi-truck tipped over and skidded along a South Carolina highway on Friday, after attempting to avoid a vehicle in a construction zone. The truck then struck several other vehicles as it slid down the highway, injuring four individuals and sending one to the intensive care unit. The driver of the rig was taken to the hospital in good condition and was treated for minor injuries. Authorities believe that speed played a factor in the collision but have not yet filed any charges against the driver of the truck.

If you have been hurt while driving a vehicle for work, you may be eligible for workers' compensation coverage. While not every claim warrants coverage, it is important to consult an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. Contact the Charleston worker's compensation lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 today.

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently announced the creation of a new program that is designed to prevent fatal accidents, based on investigations into the cause of mine accidents in the past few years. Commonly reported accidents include, roof and wall collapses, slip-and-fall accidents, equipment failure, and maintenance problems. The MSHA plans to bring the program to Charleston on February 15th.

If you have suffered serious injury while performing the duties required of your employer, contact the Charleston workers' compensation attorneys of The Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 today.