Hayward WI Workers' Compensation Law Blog

What are the risk factors for PTSD?

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Workplace Injuries on Friday, September 13, 2019.

A workplace accident in Wisconsin that poses a genuine threat of death or grievous bodily harm can result in post-traumatic stress disorder. However, you can also develop PTSD from multiple traumatic experiences that happen over time. Therefore, people in certain professions, such as law enforcement or emergency health care, may be at greater risk of developing PTSD than those in other careers.

If you have a particularly dangerous job or experience a traumatic workplace accident, you should know that, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is not a foregone conclusion that you will develop PTSD. The condition affects approximately 7% to 8% of the population at one time or another.

Relaxing trucker drive-time rules a threat to public safety

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Personal Injury on Friday, August 30, 2019.

Commercial trucks often substantially outweigh smaller, non-commercial vehicles, and because they are so heavy and massive, they pose more of a threat to Wisconsin motorists than the average car or truck. At Lein Law Offices, we understand that trucker drive-time rules exist to protect motorists from truckers who may operate their tractor-trailers while drowsy or fatigued, and we also recognize that relaxing the current rules dictating truck driver drive times and rest breaks could significantly hinder highway safety.

According to the L.A. Times, many truckers and business owners have long argued for more flexibility when it comes to the hours-of-service rules that currently dictate how often they must stop and rest. Now, the current presidential administration is considering relaxing the rules regarding rest breaks and service hours, even though doing so could be highly detrimental to public safety.

Treating bite injuries in the aftermath of an attack

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Personal Injury on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

When any animal attacks, the bite injuries left behind can have potentially long-lasting consequences. Wisconsin residents who become involved in such attacks may have to deal with painful and extensive recovery periods that leave them emotionally, physically and financially drained.

Mayo Clinic states that animal bites should be treated seriously and quickly due to the threat of infection that they pose. While cat bites are actually typically more likely to become infected than dog bites, a dog bite can still have a serious impact. Canine teeth can get deep below the skin, injecting bacteria into the tissue. If this gets into the fat or even bone, it can cause deep rooted infections that are hard to treat. Some severe cases even result in gangrene or sepsis, which can both be fatal.

What causes workplace injuries?

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Workplace Accidents on Friday, August 9, 2019.

Employees in Wisconsin spend a good chunk of time at work. Because of that, it is of utmost importance for these work environments to be safe, hazard-free, and comfortable. But every workplace has its share of dangers. What are some of the most common ones?

FindLaw takes a look at some of the most common types of workplace injuries. They are broken down into seven categories, including:

Repetitive motion injuries
Slip-and-fall incidents
Musculoskeletal injuries
Workplace violence
Burns
Motor vehicle accidents
Machinery or object based injuries

What are the pros and cons of Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Bankruptcy on Friday, July 26, 2019.

If you are having financial difficulties in Wisconsin, it is a good idea to consider all your debt-relief options, including bankruptcy, to decide on the course of action that will best serve your situation.

Depending on your income and overall financial situation, you may qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There can be a stigma attached to filing for bankruptcy and specific challenges involved in filing for Chapter 7. However, according to FindLaw, there are ways that it can benefit you as well.

How can you avoid overexertion while lifting?

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Workplace Injuries on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

Laborers in Wisconsin may be at risk of overexertion injuries from lifting heavy objects. If you find yourself doing a lot of lifting as part of your job, it is important for you to learn proper lifting techniques, as well as behaviors to avoid, in the interest of preventing injury.

According to Princeton University, you should work at a steady pace and avoid rushing your lifting activities. You should also avoid working while overly tired. Both speed and fatigue can impair your decision-making abilities and reaction time if something should go wrong. Avoid any behaviors that put you at greater risk while you are lifting. These include extending your arms overhead while holding a heavy object and/or throwing materials, as well as lifting and twisting at the same time.

Types of easements

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Real Estate Title Work on Monday, June 24, 2019.

People who live in Wisconsin might have found their dream home but they should make sure to carefully review the title report and other documentation they receive before making any final decision to complete a purchase. One of the things that prospective home buyers should investigate is whether there are easements on the property. If an easement does exist, it is important to learn what it covers and how it might impact their use of the property.

As explained by The Washington Post, there are multiple types of easements. Some may be identified in a title report, such as with an easement in gross. This type of easement generally grants access to the property by utility companies or other entities. Another easement that might not appear in a title report but that is important to learn about is the easement appurtenant. This allows someone else to use a part of the property to access their property or another location, such as a park or beach. Driveways and other roads may be included in these easements.

What are unfair collection practices?

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Bankruptcy on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Life can be stressful when money that you owe goes to collections. You may be contending with phone calls and letters from debt collectors. Sometimes collectors can go to extreme measures to attempt to collect a debt. There is almost nothing more annoying than being woken up early in the morning by a creditor calling you, or repeated phone calls throughout the day. However, constant phone calls are not the only tactic some debt collectors resort to. You and other Wisconsin residents may wonder what is considered normal and what is unfair and abusive.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers are protected by law from unfair, abusive and unscrupulous debt collection methods. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from the following tactics:

Repeatedly calling you on the phone at all hours, including at work
Yelling, using obscenities or making physical threats
Making false claims, such as threatening to have you arrested or claiming to be a government agent
Misrepresenting the amount you owe

Know about problems with a home's title

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Real Estate Title Work on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.

When you purchase a home in Wisconsin, you may think the house is yours as soon as you and the seller agree on a price. However, in order for you to become the legal owner of the house, the title has to be clear. We at Lein Law Offices know there may sometimes be a defect with a house's title and that people may need help clearing up these issues.

There are many reasons a home might have a title problem. According to the Washington Post, there may be a lien on the property, and someone generally has to pay this debt before transferring ownership of the house. This lien might be a contractor's lien if the previous owners had work done on the house. However, this lien might also be in the form of child or spousal support. A house might also have a lien on it if the previous owner was behind on his or her taxes. Additionally, bankruptcy can cause a problem with a house's title. If the previous owner filed for bankruptcy, a court typically has to remove the property from the case so that the title can transfer to you.

Who is eligible for workers' compensation?

On behalf of Lein Law Offices posted in Workers' Compensation on Friday, May 17, 2019.

The purpose of the workers' compensation system is to allow both employers and employees to quickly settle claims related to work-related injuries and avoid a lengthy court process. Many workers in Wisconsin who become injured in connection with their jobs are eligible to claim workers' compensation benefits. However, just because you sustain an injury on the job, it does not automatically follow that you should receive workers' compensation.

According to FindLaw, there are certain classes of employees who may not qualify for compensation even after a work-related injury. These classes can include agricultural workers, undocumented workers, domestic workers and seasonal workers. However, it is important to note that regulations governing compensation for workers in these categories vary by state.

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