Philip J. Fulton

Highway 24 worker killed when struck doing road work

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Wrongful Death on Friday, September 14, 2018.

There is a law in Ohio that states a vehicle must move over to the next lane if there is a vehicle pulled over with lights flashing. There are several reasons that this law is in place, the most important being to save human lives. This is because when people are on the side of the road, they are in danger of being struck by another vehicle. This is exactly what happened to an Ohio construction worker on the side of Highway 24.

The specific location was on the shoulder of Highway 24 in Waterville Township. Officials claim the driver was driving in the left lane when he changed lanes and traveled too far over, hitting the victim and the crew's work truck in the left shoulder. According to witnesses, speed isn't thought to be a factor and it's not yet known what caused the man to veer into the construction lane.

Denied SSD claim? We can help

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Qualifying for SSD/SSI Benefits on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

After years of time spent in the workforce, it's a wonder that more people's bodies don't give out before they are ready. Granted, some people do make it to retirement largely unscathed, but those who aren't so lucky, what are their options? Mental or physical disability could come unexpectedly, rendering a person unable to work.

At the Philip J Fulton Law Office, we have helped countless people with their claims in search of SSD or SSI benefits. Whether in the beginning stages or if you have spent weeks or years in an open claim process, we can help at any stage. It can be quicker and thus better for the person seeking a claim, if the paperwork is filled out correctly the first time. This reduces the possibility of a denied claim.

Why are construction accidents so common and who is responsible?

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in workplace accidents on Friday, August 31, 2018.

As a construction worker, you put your body and well-being on the line every day you show up to work. This is because your body is your tool and main source of income and success in your profession. Unlike the typical desk job, construction workers have a very different perspective when it comes to their typical job duties and how it can impact their health. This is because construction worker accident injuries are much more common in comparison to the standard office job.

Based on the inherent nature of construction jobs, they are just more dangerous for workers. This is because there are a variety of dangers on the job, such as heavy equipment, work that is done from heights that, if used or executed improperly, can easily result in injury. In addition, there are often several managers or companies on a job-site that can lead to multiple initiatives and several concurrent projects that can cause a safety hazard. Construction accident injuries can be complicated, in that, there can be several parties responsible for the injury if there are a number of contractors and sub-contractors involved on the project.

Two types of rehabilitation when receiving workers' comp

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

If you or a loved one is receiving rehabilitation after suffering a workplace injury, there are really two types of activities that could be going on. One is the traditional medically-related rehabilitation, one that challenges your body or mind or return to the condition it was pre-work injury. The other rehabilitation concerns "vocational" rehabilitation. In many states, injured workers who cannot return to their former employment are entitled to this type of rehabilitation at the expense of their employer's workers' compensation carrier.

It's possible an injured worker could be receiving one or both types of rehabilitation after suffering a work injury and taking workers' compensation benefits. Just like with medical rehabilitation, there are lots of possibilities as to what rehabilitative exercises or 'activities' a person could be exposed to in order to help their transition back to work after a work injury. Because not all workers will be able to return to their job after suffering a work injury, the second type of rehabilitation aims at helping the injured worker gain skills, experience and confidence to make the transition to a different job or profession.

Millions given to improve safety for Ohio firefighters

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office on Monday, August 20, 2018.

The men and women who work as firefighters often encounter various risks and safety threats when they are on duty. This type of service is inherently dangerous work, and in addition to the risk of burns and smoke inhalation, they could also face exposure to toxic materials and harmful substances. Thankfully, there could be safety improvements coming for Ohio firefighters.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has recently decided to grant $1.1 million to over 100 departments across the state. The intent of this grant is to improve safety through the provision of important equipment. This money could ultimately reduce the chances of accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses among firefighters.

Physical disability changes everything, including ability to work

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Social Security Disability Benefits for Physical Disability on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

You probably weren't always disabled. There was once a time when your body responded the way it should, and it made your everyday life easier and well-lived. When your body fails you (and ultimately it fails everyone), it can have consequences the likes of which you never considered. For those who are not yet to retirement age, it could mean an inability to work and thus an inability to earn a living.

If this is sounding familiar, you may want to consider your options other than earning a working wage. Social Security Disability benefits for physical disability can help to bridge the gap between living expenses and a physical inability to work. At the Philip J Fulton Law Office, we know any number of things can contribute to or cause a physical disability. For those that have paid into disability benefits (through their paychecks) over the years, SSD benefits are a good option when physical disability has you down.

A new law could make it safer to work in waste collection in Ohio

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office on Monday, August 13, 2018.

Ohio readers know some jobs come with a higher risk of injury and on-the-job accidents than others. Men and women who do manual labor could face significant risks to their health while on the job, and it is important to make these occupations as safe as possible. A recently passed law seeks to do just that for people who work in waste collection.

Just a few weeks ago, the governor signed a bill into law that now requires drivers in the state to move over when they are passing trash trucks with flashing lights. This is to improve safety for the men and women who work this job, as well as reduce the chance of unnecessary accidents. If you work in waste collection, you may find it beneficial to take steps to know how to protect your interests in the event of an accident at work.

Applying for SSD? Here's what you need to know

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Qualifying for SSD/SSI Benefits on Friday, August 10, 2018.

No-one wants to be sick or otherwise not in perfect health. It can really put dark cloud over every aspect in a person's life when their health isn't in a good place. When it comes to being able to work, it can be nearly impossible if an illness or an injury has made it nearly impossible to find, keep or show up to a job. Sometimes, one needs to look at the options available to them when working is no longer an option.

One of those options may be Social Security disability benefits also known as SSD. These benefits are available to those who have worked enough hours (and thus contributed enough of their own paychecks) into a system that is federally run. Due to actual disability, the benefits are handed out on a need basis and the worker must also be unable to perform substantial work at other types of employment beyond their current or most recent job. Medical records can help to prove the validity of your claim.

Ohio man working on factory tower falls to his death

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in Wrongful Death on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

Construction workers often perform their job duties at tall heights, whether they are erecting a building or taking one down. While there are measures that can be taken to prevent workers from being injured when working at heights, sometimes falls occur with disastrous results.

According to a recent report from the Columbus Dispatch, a worker in Ohio attempting to deconstruct a tower has lost his life after falling to his death. The deceased was working at a former manufacturing site when the incident occurred in the mid-morning hours. He was declared dead at the scene of the incident. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident, and according to a spokeswoman, the man was working for a demolition company when he died.

Studies show trends, probability for worker injury

On behalf of Philip J. Fulton Law Office posted in workplace injuries on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

Accidents happen -- or, so they say. While there are freak accidents not associated with any fault, rarely does this happen in the workplace. The truth is, most work accidents and injuries are entirely preventable. This is why it is so important to track emerging trends in workplace accidents and injuries to determine where problems lie in the workplace. One or several overseeing bodies, such as OSHA, can set regulations for employers to help prevent these workplace accidents and their resounding injuries from occurring.

However, just because a regulation is in place does not mean an employer will follow it correctly. Worker training, machine maintenance and other factors can cause an Ohio worker to become injured, through no fault of their own.