Columbus Injured Worker Legal Blog

Nowadays, it is common for many workers to cross state borders in search of work. Most of them do so in the hope of making a better living than they can in their home state. While they may receive a better opportunity in a different state, they remain exposed to various workplace hazards, regardless of whether they are working in their home state or in another state.

Per Ohio's workers' compensation laws, out-of-state workers are eligible for workers' compensation in the event of an injury or illness if they have sufficient contacts with the state of Ohio. To determine whether a person has sufficient contacts, several factors will be considered.

Many people in Columbus, Ohio, rely on Social Security disability benefits at some point in their lives. The reasons for applying for SSD benefits can vary: some may need the money after retirement, while others may need it because of a disabling illness. The Social Security Administration provides these benefits after determining a person's eligibility. The entire determination process can sometimes take as long as a year before the claimant receives benefits.

To address this concern for some people who are seriously ill, the SSA runs the Compassionate Allowances program, or CAL. The main purpose of CAL is to identify diseases that clearly cause impairment. By implementing this program, the SSA is able to identify obviously disabled individuals for whom benefits should be expedited.

When you clock in at work, you are probably not thinking about the many ways that you could experience an injury in the workplace. Whether you work behind a desk or on a construction site, there are certain things that could cause you harm. No matter your job description, you have the right to expect safety in your place of work. 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workers are entitled to a reasonable expectation of safety when they are on the job. It is the responsibility of each employer to provide whatever employees need to be safe, whether that is specific types of training or equipment. In the event of a workplace accident, you also have the right to seek benefits through a workers' compensation claim.

Ohio is among the major producers of coal and other minerals in the United States, which means that a significant number of workers are employed in the mining industry. Miners are often at a higher risk for injuries than most other workers, owing to the harsh conditions they usually have to work in. Therefore, in order to address the issues specific to the mining industry, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act was passed in 1977. This act clearly states the rights and responsibilities of a miner.

Per the FMSHA, employers in the mining industry must not discriminate against any miner, miner group or representative in the event they raise concerns against the working conditions. The FMSHA also allows the miner or the representative to report any and all violations of safety measures or of the provisions of the FMSHA to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. In fact, the act also allows a miner or a representative to request the MSHA to conduct an inspection of the mine.