Philip J. Fulton

Forklift safety is critical in warehouse work

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Warehouse work is one of the most dangerous occupations to have. While you may be among those who find the work exhilarating, you are also well aware that a tragic accident can occur in a moment of carelessness.

Ideally, safety is the motto of your Ohio employer. This means your employer complies with laws requiring thorough training and testing for anyone who will be operating a forklift in your warehouse. Injuries from forklift accidents can be catastrophic if not fatal. It is critical that you understand the risks and the steps you can take to keep yourself and your coworkers safe on the job.

The right approach to qualifying for SSD benefits

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Qualifying for SSD/SSI Benefits on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

Injured workers in Ohio have a number of concerns, tops of which are recovering their health and how they will earn an income if they can't return to work for an extended period of time. These concerns can consume an injured worker's everyday life. When they find out that they might qualify to receive Social Security Disability benefits, it can seem like a ray of light. However, most people know that qualifying to receive SSD benefits can be an uphill climb.

This thought can, unfortunately, make people think that it isn't even worth it to apply for SSD benefits. They might just automatically assume that their application will be rejected. But, that isn't always the case. The best approach to qualifying for SSD benefits is to get the right information and thoroughly review the eligibility criteria.

The dangers you could face if you work in health care

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office on Saturday, November 9, 2019.

When you go to work in the morning, you are probably not considering the various ways you could suffer an injury at some point in the day. If you work in health care, however, you actually face certain risks every time you show up for work. It's in your interests to know how to stay safe and what you can do in case you do experience an injury.

Health care workers go into this profession because they want to heal and support people who cannot help themselves. This is noble, but it often comes at great personal cost to these individuals when they are on the job. If you are an Ohio doctor, nurse or other types of health care professional, you could face risks associated with everything from toxic exposure to violent patients.

The impact of workplace injuries in America

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in workplace injuries on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

Many of our previous posts here have described the difficulties that workers face when they are injured on the job and can't return to work for an extended period of time. They often face financial hardship in addition to physical limitation and the need for extensive medical and rehabilitative care. But, what is the overall impact of workplace injuries in America?

According to the National Safety Council, the impact is significant. NSC statistics point to the alarming frequency with which workplace injuries occur in America: one every seven seconds. That equals approximately 4,600,000 worker injuries per year. Of course, the severity of these injuries varies significantly, as does their cause. NSC statistics show that the most common types of workplace injuries are cuts and punctures, soreness or other pain, and strains and sprains. Some of the most common causes of these injuries are overexertion, being struck or caught by equipment or other objects, and slips and falls.

What are some of the most common questions about SSD benefits?

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Social Security Disability on Thursday, October 31, 2019.

Most people in Ohio are used to going to work everyday to earn income to support themselves and their families. So, when an injury or illness prevents them from doing so, the impact on the family's finances can be devastating. Fortunately, the Social Security Disability system is in place to help Ohio residents who are unable to continue to work and earn an income. But, unfortunately, the process of getting approved to receive SSD benefits can be somewhat complex.

So, what are some of the most common questions about Social Security Disability benefits? Probably the most common question is who is eligible to receive these benefits? As a recent news article detailed, the eligibility requirements imposed by the Social Security Administration are quite strict. Only those who have the requisite amount of "work credits" - time working in the American workforce - will be eligible, and those individuals must have a disability that is serious enough that it is expected to last 12 months or longer, or result in death. The disability must prevent applicants from being able to work in any meaningful way to earn a solid income.

What do you need to know about SSD benefits payments?

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Social Security Disability on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

When people in Ohio apply for Social Security Disability benefits, they usually know that the process to get approved can be difficult and time consuming. However, they also know that they have paid into the SSD benefits system their entire working career and, if those benefits are needed due to some injury or illness, they are entitled to receive those benefits. But, what happens when an application for SSD benefits is actually approved? What do our readers need to know about Social Security Disability benefits payments?

Well, for starters, it is important to know when you will begin to receive SSD benefits payments once that initial application is approved. According to the Social Security Administration, in order to determine when payments begin, it must be determined when the disability in question began. From that date, benefits will be paid six months after the disability began. Also, benefits are paid "one month behind," meaning that, for example, if a person is due a SSD benefits payment in October, then that payment will actually be paid out in November.

What damages are available in a wrongful death claim?

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Wrongful Death on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Our readers may have seen a previous post here that discussed the basic elements of a wrongful death claim. Proving damages is one of the essential elements of such a claim. But, what damages are available when Ohio residents are successful in pursuing a wrongful death claim?

Well, for starters, the financial impact of the death of the loved one in question is the most substantial part of the damages that are sought in a wrongful death lawsuit. The biggest part of this type of damage is typically how much the deceased person would have earned in income if not for the untimely death. This can result in a somewhat complicated formula for determining the recoverable amount, which will usually include an analysis of the deceased person's age, earning capacity, and the person's life expectancy if not for the untimely death. In essence, the biggest portion of the damages sought is what the deceased person would have earned and contributed to the family's financial stability over the course of an expected lifetime.

SSD benefits available for those with mental health conditions

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Mental Conditions on Sunday, October 13, 2019.

Our readers in Ohio who are familiar with previous posts here know that Social Security Disability benefits are available for those with physical and mental health conditions alike. However, mental conditions are sometimes harder to diagnose and treat than physical conditions are, as there is sometimes no observable "problem" to "solve" with a person who suffers from a mental health condition.

But, just like physical health conditions, an individual who suffers from a mental health condition that impairs his or her ability to work and is expected to last for 12 months or longer may be eligible to receive SSD benefits. The mental health conditions that may qualify an Ohio resident to receive SSD benefits include schizophrenia; post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as "PTSD"; severe depression or anxiety; and bipolar disorder, among others.

Disability hearings: Do you know what to expect for yours?

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office on Thursday, October 10, 2019.

When you can't work, it can cause financial suffering for your whole family. You need an income to pay for medical needs, groceries, rent and other daily needs. When you aren't able to maintain gainful income, you know how important it is to secure disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. You may also know how disappointing it is to learn that your claim came back denied.

Denied claims are unfortunately common. Many initial claims come back denied, but that does not mean that it is the end of the road for you. You may have grounds to move forward with the appeals process. There are certain steps you can take that will allow you to continue your pursuit of the benefits you need to support yourself and your Ohio family.

It's time to start thinking about work safety and holidays

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office on Friday, October 4, 2019.

It's only the beginning of the fall season, but evidence of the fast-approaching holiday season are everywhere. In some Ohio retail stores, Christmas decorations are already out even though Halloween is still a few weeks away. Like it or not, the busyness of the end of the year will be here soon, which means it's time to start thinking about workplace safety during the holidays.

In many different types of jobs, the Christmas season represents an increase in clients, transactions and job requests. This means more people are working more hours and doing more tasks. It may also mean that people are more likely to experience a workplace injury. There are things that Ohio employers can do now to prepare for this time of year and reduce the chance of an accident.