Archive for the ‘ Environmental Injury ’ Category

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28
Feb

Missouri Lawmakers Aim To Change Workers’ Compensation Laws

February 28, 2012

State lawmakers in Missouri approved a bill this past Thursday that could create significant changes in the rules that govern the state’s workers’ compensation program. According to reports from STL Today, the Missouri Legislature is under immense pressure to make the changes after the state’s attorney general disclosed that millions of dollars of injured workers’ medical bills are piling up and going unpaid because the funds haven’t been replenished.

Attorney General Chris Koster says the state owes $14 million to 184 injured workers due to the lack of funding. The bill accrues $1.3 million in annual interest that taxpayers pick up as well, and there also are roughly 29,000 pending cases that could cost the state more than $145 million.

Lawmakers are hoping a reduction in litigation costs associated with certain injuries could reduce the overall cost to the state. Bills now in the House and Senate propose regulations against employees suing coworkers for on-the-job injuries. These bills also include new coverage for certain occupational diseases, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or cancers that can be developed from toxic exposure.

The Missouri Workers’ Compensation Attorneys with Cofman Townsley Injury Lawyers have decades of experience helping workers who have been hurt at no fault of their own while working. If you have been injured in an on-the-job accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, call us today for a free consultation of your case.

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3
Jan

St. Louis Area ER Units Get New Online Check-In System

January 3, 2012

We all know how miserable sitting in the emergency room waiting area can be if you are injured. New technology may alleviate that problem at St. Louis, Missouri, area hospitals soon enough.

KMOV 4 News reported yesterday that five emergency departments across the city now offer an online check-in service called InQuicker. Patients can now go to the website and select the emergency center they would like to visit. The patient is prompted to fill out and submit their paperwork online, at which point their place in line is held at the hospital. The system then gives the patient an estimated time at which to arrive at the hospital where they can be seen almost immediately.

The service is new to the St. Louis-area, but has been used in other cities across the nation for years. It is expected to greatly increase patient satisfaction at participating units.

The new system was created by SSM Health Care and will only work with facilities in their network. Participating emergency departments include:

  • SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
  • SSM St. Clare Health Center
  • SSM DePaul Health Center
  • SSM St. Joseph Health Center
  • SSM St. Joseph Hospital West

The Missouri personal injury attorneys with Cofman Townsley Injury Lawyers know how vital it is for accident victims to receive the care that they need as fast as possible. The firm hopes that the newly implemented system will allow patients to receive care in a quicker and more efficient manner.

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31
May

Illinois Teen Falls 150 Feet Off Cliff

May 31, 2011

A quick day hike to the top of Salt Lick Point in Southern Illinois, turned into an emergency rescue after a teenager fell over 150 feet off the side of a cliff. Looking out over the farmland from high atop the cliff, on a warm sunny day with good friends was just where the boy wanted to be yesterday afternoon. He stepped out to the ledge to snap a picture so he could remember the moment. Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet gave way and he began the seemingly endless fall.

According to KDSK Channel 5, it took ten rescuers from several agencies around two hours to get the teen down from the bluff and to a helicopter so he could be airlifted to a local hospital for treatment to head and leg injuries.

The Valmeyer Fire Chief did not seem surprised by the accident when he was quoted as saying, “We’ve been expecting this for quite awhile. People don’t realize this cliff how it’s made. We were afraid it was going to happen and it did.”

Why were signs not posted warning hikers of the dangerous cliffs? Why were guardrails not installed near the area? It seems officials may have known of the problem and did nothing to solve it. The Illinois personal injury lawyers who handle slip and fall and brain injury cases for Cofman Townsley say that proving fault is the key to a case like this. See what is needed to prove fault here.

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24
May

Joplin Begins Recovery Efforts After Tornado

May 24, 2011

Search and rescue efforts will wrap-up this afternoon around 2:00 PM in Joplin, Missouri, following the tragic tornado that blasted through the region earlier this week. Governor Jay Nixon told News Channel 5 that a recovery of the dead will begin this afternoon. As of this morning Nixon confirmed that 117 are dead, with at least 600 injured and 1,500 still missing.

The storm that produced the tornado came through the area on Sunday and leveled the town of Joplin. The report claims that debris from the storm has been recovered up to 60 miles away. Emergency management officials have rushed in heavy equipment to clear the way so that recovery can begin.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), has approved federal aid and Individual Assistance grants for 13 counties in Missouri and are on hand in each of those counties to answer any questions about assistance.

The tornado in Joplin caused the death of hundreds, the injury of thousands, and damages in the billions. Each individual affected will have needs and questions about what benefits they are entitled to.  The victim’s first step on the road to recovery should be to contact a Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer. The attorney’s with Cofman Townsley may be able to help you better understand what you may be entitled to with an insurance claim or government assistance.

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8
Apr

Tree falls, injures man in Chicago

April 8, 2010

A man in Chicago is seriously injured after a tree fell on his van this morning, according to a report from WGN-TV.

The report said it happened in the Irving Woods neighborhood, and area known for being surrounded by forest preserves.

Rescue crews had to cut trees from the Chevy van the Chicago man was driving.

Has this ever been a concern for you or your family while driving in this neighborhood or other Chicago-area neighbors? Does flying debris in the Windy City ever make you anxious? Let the environmental injury lawyers at CofmanTownsley know.

If you or anyone you know has been involved in a Chicago environmental injury, let the Illinois environmental injury lawyers at CofmanTownsley know.

Read more.

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