Worker Deaths in Construction Went Up by 5 Percent in 2012

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According to a new report released by the United States Department of Labor, the number of construction workers killed on construction sites rose 5 percent in 2012, from 738 to 775. The Department of Labor has deemed the construction industry the “deadliest industry in the United States.” Falls, slips, and trips remain a construction worker’s worst enemy: in 2012, 280 construction workers died from a workplace fall, slip, or trip, which represented over a third of all construction related deaths. The remaining categories of construction deaths are transportation incidents (216), traumatic contact with on-site objects or equipment (135), and exposure to harmful substances or environments (102). Looking for a workers compensation attorney?

From our vast experience in construction cases, we know employees in the construction industry work from great heights every day, and falls are very common. Therefore, it is critical to make sure your employer provides the safety equipment you need to protect yourself from falls, by tying-off or using a horizontal lifeline, if working from heights greater than seven feet. In addition, you must always report an unsafe work environment if your employer does not provide you with a safe environment to work from heights.

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Construction Worker Death

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Cracking Down on Texting Drivers is One Approach But Public Education May Help

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Distracted driving is incredibly dangerous behavior, and more states than ever before are taking steps to try to reduce the number of people on the roads who are distracted by cell phones and electronic devices.  In fact, the Governors’ Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released a report entitled “2013 Distracted Driving: Survey of the States” indicating that there has been a 45-percent increase in the number of states with texting bans in place for all drivers as compared with just three years ago.

Florida became one of the states with a texting law this year when Governor Scott signed a texting ban into law after five years of attempts to get such a law passed.   Florida’s ban is relatively weak, allowing for drivers to text when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights and making texting a secondary offense with a fine of only $30 plus court costs for a first-time offender.   Still, the fact that texting is now illegal means that those injured in a texting accident may have an easier time of recovering compensation with the help of an auto accident lawyer in West Palm Beach since negligence per se rules allow victims to prove negligence by pointing to a law that the other driver broke.

While the law may help accident victims to recover compensation, however, it may be difficult for police to enforce. In fact, as the Huffington Post recently reported, texting laws in general are difficult to enforce, even in states that have taken a very tough stance on fighting distracted drivers.  The difficulty of enforcing these laws means that many people continue to text even though it is illegal.

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To Include More Workers Move Over/Slow Down Law in TX Continued

To Involve More Workers Move Over/Slow Down Law in Texas ContinuedSource
By now we’ve all heard of the Texas Move Over/Slow Down law. The law requires Texans behind the wheel to either switch lanes or slow down when nearing a stopped emergency vehicle. Since it was passed in 2003, the law has undoubtedly protected the lives of many who are stopped or being assisted on the side of the state’s roadways.
dfgnhdfbfgnKRGV.com reports that Texas lawmakers will expand the law (effective September 1st) to include all Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) workers. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in McAllen, Texas know that this is a positive step that could potentially save thousands of injuries and deaths a year in the Lone Star State. Call: 1-888-338-2639

Pedestrian accidents cause injuries, cost lives in Texas
Failure to move over when any vehicle is stopped on the side of the road can have deadly consequences, as evidenced by an accident in Brownsville in early August. The Brownsville Herald reported that a Brownsville woman was charged in a deadly drunk driving accident that took the life of an 18-year old man.
Authorities said that the Brownsville woman, who was visibly intoxicated at the scene of the crash, had veered off the road, striking the 18 year-old Palmview resident after he had pulled to the side of the road to change his tire.

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Car wreck on Bennington Street sends four to hospital

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A car and a pickup truck collided early this morning in a major accident at an intersection on Bennington Street in Houston. The crash happened around 2:30 a.m., there were two men in each vehicle. Police found beer bottles at the scene but it is not reported whether drunk driving was believed to be a cause of the wreck. The driver of the pickup truck was seriously injured.

Houston car accident attorneys www.smithandhassler.com
Photo credit: ABC Channel 13

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Car Accident News

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