Oklahoma City Injury Law Blog

These 3 toxic chemicals are harming construction workers

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm on Friday, June 14, 2019.

Construction sites pose serious injuries. When working on a construction site, safety is a huge concern. There are many different safety issues to consider, including following safety rules and using equipment properly. Another safety issue not commonly thought of is environmental factors.

Environmental components, especially toxic chemicals, can cause serious internal and external damage to one’s body. This gradually decreases a person’s ability to perform daily functions. The three most common toxins on construction sites which have devastating health effects are lead, PVC and mercury.

What do you do if you have received a letter of denial?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in denied workers' comp benefits on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

When you got hurt at work, you were frustrated. You always followed the rules, but a new worker made a mistake that resulted in an accident. Now, you're faced with something even worse: the denial of your workers' compensation claim.

As someone who has been hurt on the job, it is your right to seek workers' compensation. Having that compensation denied is unexpected, but you do have the right to appeal.

Rear-end crashes can cause many serious types of injuries

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in rear-end collisions on Friday, May 31, 2019.

Rear-end collisions are usually unexpected, happening when you're slowing to a stop or even when you're parked. Another driver may not see that you're ahead of them, or they might fall asleep behind the wheel and hit your vehicle. In some cases, the drivers are texting and don't look up in time to stop.

In any rear-end crash, one of the greatest risks to you is the potential whiplash you could suffer. Whiplash is serious because it can badly damage your tendons and ligaments in your neck. There is swelling and a loss of function in some cases. Headaches are common with this injury, too.

Is your auto accident an on-the-job injury?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in on-the-job auto accident injuries on Friday, May 17, 2019.

When you're working a job that requires travel, there is always the possibility that you could be involved in an auto accident. On-the-job auto accidents are relatively common, affecting people as they travel to worksites or make deliveries.

It's important to know what constitutes an injury on or off the clock, so you know if you can be compensated through workers' compensation. There are a few situations that would qualify for compensation. They include:

Driving from your place of employment to a worksite or client's facility while on the clock
Driving while making deliveries for work
Driving to a required meeting while on the clock(with mileage and time paid by the employer)

Is my job protected while I am out on workers’ comp?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm on Friday, May 3, 2019.

Oil field workers, warehouse workers, construction workers, personal care assistants and a multitude of other professionals work strenuous jobs that have certain risks. Sometimes these jobs lead to injuries that require filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Many workers worry about their job status while out of work on a workers’ compensation claim. But injured workers should have some peace of mind because Oklahoma and federal law protects workers’ jobs when they are on disability. Most industrial and commercial employers carry workers’ compensation insurance or self-insure. A part-time or full-time worker, who is injured on the job, is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Employers are not legally obligated to provide workers’ comp insurance to independent contractors.

Pedestrians: Know the risks of a car crash

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in Motorcycle on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

Pedestrians are at a serious disadvantage when it comes to collisions. If a vehicle hits them, they have no real protection against the impact. Their bodies take the entire force of the blow, which can result in fatal injuries.

The injuries in a pedestrian accident are directly related to the speed at which the driver is traveling at the time of impact. Drivers who are traveling 10 or 15 mph may be going slow enough that the pedestrian is able to walk away with only cuts, scrapes and bruises. On the other hand, getting hit at 60 or 70 mph almost guarantees a death.

1 dies in drowsy driving accident in Oklahoma

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in rear-end collisions on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

Rear-end collisions happen for many reasons, one of which is falling asleep behind the wheel. When you drive at night, you need to take the time to get enough rest. If you begin to get tired, then you need to pull over and stop instead of putting yourself or others in danger. If you don't, you could cause a collision like this one.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported a two-vehicle accident in which one person was killed over the weekend. According to their report, a 49-year-old man riding a motorcycle was struck and killed in the collision.

Where do you seek treatment after a workplace injury?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, April 4, 2019.

Workers' compensation is an important protection for people working in Oklahoma. There is no waiting period, so even if you're hurt on your first day of work, you're protected.

As someone who has been hurt on the job, it's of the utmost importance that you get the right medical care as quickly as possible. When you're injured, you should quickly go to the emergency room or discuss your options with your employer. They may have a preferred medical provider that you can see if there is no injury requiring emergency care.

What injuries are unique to semi crashes?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in semitruck accident injuries on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Semitruck accidents can be severe when they involve smaller vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists. The weight discrepancy between the colliding objects is enough to show why these crashes are so dangerous.

The maximum weight for a semitruck and trailer in the United States is 80,000 pounds. The average weight of a car is around 4,000 pounds. As you can see, the likelihood of the smaller vehicle escaping unscathed is low.

Auto-accident claims: Let your attorney do the heavy lifting

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in auto accident injuries on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

Auto accidents can result in many different injuries. In some cases, the injuries are severe, making it difficult for victims to move on with their lives after the crash.

As a victim of an auto accident, you may not know where to start when it comes to seeking compensation. You should be able to seek compensation from the party who caused the accident, and you can do so by filing a claim through their insurance. If they don't have insurance, then a personal injury lawsuit could be the right option.