An injury that occurs on the job and is serious enough can lead to the injured employee receiving disability benefits. Disability benefits do not necessarily last forever. In fact, employers will often stop your benefits if they find reason to. In fact, employers will sometimes go out of their way to find the reason.

In a recent Pennsylvania court ruling, an employer used surveillance video to show that the employee was able to move around freely and perform certain tasks. As a result, the employer argued that the employee was capable of performing these same tasks at work, and should be forced to return to work instead of receiving disability benefits from the employer. The court permitted the video evidence to be used to prove that the employee’s benefits should be discontinued since the employee’s capabilities were relevant to whether he should be receiving disability benefits.

The decision to allow the video evidence was reportedly a unanimous one. In general, more employers are turning to video evidence to stop employees’ disability insurance.

It is important to note that benefits can be taken away. Even if the court granted you benefits for a certain time, benefits can be taken away before that period if you are found to not have a true continuing disability.

The idea of disability benefits and worker’s compensation is to compensate an injured employee for the work related injury and the money missed while the employee is unable to work. If the employee is able to work, the incentive for providing benefits is lessened.

Social Security Disability Insurance can also be stopped. Individuals with disabilities can receive benefits from the government. A SSDI recipient also risks losing his benefits. If a recipient starts working, and in Philadelphia, starts making $2,000 a month, the SSDI benefits will stop. However, there are other programs that may help aid disabled workers. Unfortunately, there may be a lapse in time from when the SSDI benefits stop and when the worker may qualify for the Pennsylvania state program for disabled workers.

The process of obtaining and maintaining disability benefits can be complex. Seek a qualified attorney to make sure you get the compensation you are owed and that it is not taken away from you unjustifiably.

Construction workers are important to the world. They help build and fix the buildings we work in and the roadways we travel down daily. However, because they work on such massive sites and projects, there is often a lot of danger involved in the process. Heavy equipment, falling objects, and defective machinery can all cause devastating injuries, or even death. Still, construction workers risk their lives every day to help create the world we live in and to earn a living.

As a result, injuries on behalf of construction workers should be vigorously argued in the court of law. Construction injuries can come in various forms. Construction accident cases can involve the stress in using certain construction tools which may be particularly heavy or difficult. An injury may also involve a case with defective or dangerous tools, including air hammers, jackhammers, utility knives, chisels, screwdrivers, mechanical saws, jigsaws, or drills.

Other construction injury cases involve heavy machinery. These cases need to be carefully investigated to determine the case of any malfunction. User error will need to be eliminated, and it will need to be determined if the source of error was design or manufacturer error. Heavy machinery cases include forklift accidents, pay loader accidents, bulldozer accidents, and other accidents involving similar heavy equipment.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) claims are another source of construction injury claims. OSHA violations occur when safety procedures are not followed, proper safety equipment is not used, or when OSHA violations are committed. It is illegal for employers to take adverse employment actions against workers for making OSHA complaints. As a result, it is important to make sure OSHA violations are not occurring in the workplace in order to keep employees and those surrounding construction sites safe.

In Pennsylvania, construction workers can recover lost wages and receive medical benefits for injuries occurring on the job. In addition, if the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier is not cooperating with you on payments, legal action is a viable option.

A bystander who happens to be on the construction site and is injured may also be able to hold someone responsible for his or her injuries. For bystanders, the usual personal injury laws apply to each case.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is a regional municipal authority that operates public transportation for millions of people in Philadelphia. SEPTA is a part of daily life in Pennsylvania, but most do not think about the organization until an accident occurs. SEPTA accidents are very unfortunate and can cause great pain, but under the laws, these accidents may be compensable.

When you are injured due to the negligence of SEPTA, your injuries can be compensable. The injured may file a lawsuit against SEPTA due to its vehicles or stations.

Injuries caused by SEPTA vehicles include subways, commuter trains, light rail trolleys, electric trolleys, and buses. In order to prove SEPTA liability and receive compensation, the vehicle must have been moving at the time of the injury. If you are pushed into a SEPTA bus, the claim lies with the source of the push. If you walk off a SEPTA bus and get hit by a car, the claim lies with the driver of the car. There is no valid SEPTA claim in cases where a SEPTA vehicle is stationary.

If you are hit by a moving SEPTA vehicle or injured while riding in a moving SEPTA vehicle, you may have a valid claim against SEPTA. If it can be proven that SEPTA was negligent, meaning it breached its duty and the breach caused your injury, SEPTA will likely be liable for your injuries. Proving all the elements of negligence can be difficult, especially if you potentially had some negligence too. A qualified attorney can help you build a successful negligence case and ensure a just recovery.

There is a different standard for injuries that occur on SEPTA station premises. If there is a defective condition on SEPTA property, you may seek compensation for your injuries. Traditional slip and fall cases like tripping over a mop bucket, cannot be brought against SEPTA. There has to be a demonstrated physical defect in the property, such as an unattended spill, broken step in a train station, uneven flooring in a subway station, loose railing, or some other dangerous condition caused by SEPTA.

For those of us who have been driving for years, driving is second nature.  It is one of the more simple tasks we perform throughout our day.  However, teenagers just learning how to drive are inexperienced and unsure how to handle various situations that may arise on the road each day.

Teenage drivers pose a certain risk to other drivers on the road.  As a result, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a new teen driver law on December 27, 2011 to help make the roads safer.

The new law restrictis 16 and 17-year-old drivers from certain privileges more experienced drivers have.  For example, teen drivers can only transport a certain number of passengers.  If no parent or guardian is present, drivers under 18 may only carry one passenger for the first six months after getting a junior license.  After the sixth month, the driver can only carry three passengers, and only if they have maintained a good driving record, until they turn 18 years old.

In addition, teenagers face strict penalties for not wearing seatbelts.  The law orders all drivers and passengers to fasten their seatbelts.  Drivers under 18 can get pulled over if they fail to wear their safety belts. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, older drivers are generally only fined for a seatbelt violation as a secondary offense if they are pulled over for another reason.

Those with driving permits who are under 18 will be required to complete 65 hours of hands-on driving training.  Previously, only 50 hours were required.    Of the 15 additional hours, 10 hours must be night time driving training and 5 hours must be completed during inclement weather.

The law was recently enacted in the hopes of protecting teen drivers from their own inexperience and keeping the roads safe for other drivers.  For more information on the new law, go to the state Department of Transportation website at www.dmv.state.pa.us and click on “New Teen Driver Law 2011” on the left side of the page.

Slip and fall cases are often thought of as small incidents. However, slip and falls can often result in major, severe injuries.

Slip and fall accidents can have severe consequences. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), falls are the number one cause of injury in senior citizens over the age of 65. Further, around 16,000 Americans die from slip and falls each year due to complications from a fall.

Property owners owe their invitees a duty to keep their premises safe. Winning a slip and fall case is difficult but can be made easier when one of several factors are present. Uneven floors, inadequately maintained floors, slippery floors, unpaved streets, water, snow or ice accumulation, lack of security, poor lighting, and unattended or secured pools.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall case due to defective property, you should contact a qualified attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney familiar with the slip and fall laws can help you get the compensation you deserve. As noted above, there are several potential causes to slip and fall cases, each of which require different evidence to prove the specific case. As a result, it is important to hire an attorney who has worked on various types of cases and knows the law.

An attorney can help you recover lost wages if the injury causes you to miss time from work. It is also possible to be compensated for medical bills and prescription costs that resulted from the injury at the hand of the defendant. Pain and suffering damages may also be rewarded to you if you are able to prove that the pain and suffering was a direct result of the accident and not already preexisting at the time of the injury.

The law generally favors pedestrians to motor vehicles. Pedestrians are less strong, and usually move at slower speeds than vehicles. As a result, pedestrians generally have the right-of-way as long as they are complying with the road laws.

If a pedestrian is crossing at a crosswalk, the pedestrian unequivocally has the right-of-way. Drivers are required by law to yield to the pedestrian in the crosswalk. Similarly, if a pedestrian is crossing with a light according to road signs, the pedestrian has the right-of-way and drivers must yield to the pedestrian.

If a pedestrian is injured while on the road and in compliance of the relevant rules, the pedestrian may have a personal injury claim. If badly injured, the pedestrian should immediately seek medical attention. In Pennsylvania, many insurance policies are “no fault”. In no fault cases, the pedestrian’s own auto insurance will pay the medical expenses, no matter who was at fault in the case. If the injuries exceed the amount of money on the insurance policy, the pedestrian’s private insurance may cover the expenses. If the pedestrian does not have private health insurance, an attorney can make the expenses part of the personal injury claim and seek the amount in damages against the defendant driver. If the parties do not have no fault insurance, the insurance company of whoever was at fault will pay the expenses.

Lost wages are potentially recoverable in pedestrian injury cases. If the pedestrian’s insurance policy includes a loss wages clause, the insurance company will compensate the pedestrian for money lost as a result of time missed from work. Otherwise, an attorney can also add lost wages to the personal injury claim. In addition, the personal injury claim can include pain and suffering damages.

It is important to be cautious when dealing with the defendant driver’s insurance company. It is best to hire an attorney who can protect the pedestrian’s interest. Insurance companies are only looking out for the interest of the insured, and the insurance company itself. As a result, they will try to get the pedestrian to say something on the record that will harm the pedestrians’ case so the insurance company can reduce their payout.

If you suffered a pedestrian injury and the defendant’s insurance company contacts you, do not speak with them. Politely decline an interview. Your attorney can provide the company with information that will not compromise your position and protect your interests.

Automobile accident cases can be particularly difficult. Rollover cases in particular can create some of the most devastating injuries.

Rollovers tend to occur with SUV and large vehicles. The vehicles have a greater tendency to tip over due to their high center of gravity. While SUV ads generally promote the vehicles as rugged, sturdy and safe, quick, sharp turns can make the vehicle flip over. While the SUV manufacturers will try to point to driver’s negligence, that is not always the case.

Like most automobile accident cases, the cause of the accident can be a variety of things. There could be a defective highway design or the dangerous design of an automobile. Further, roofs are usually not made strong enough to withstand a rollover, and they typically collapse.

Because there are a variety of potential causes, there may be a variety of potential defendants. Victims in rollover cases or their families may be able to file lawsuits against other drivers or against the manufacturer of their vehicle. Automobile accidents may also involve defendants such as state and local governments, or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. In a case like this, it is imperative to name the appropriate defendants in any legal actions. Failure to do so could prejudice your case.

Moreover, the issues in personal injury cases like these are often complex. As a result, accident victims should seek a qualified and experienced attorney who can help navigate through the legal process and protect your rights. An attorney who has taken these types of cases before will be able to do much of the legal work for you, leaving you and your family the chance to heal, prepare for life after the accident, and await the verdict.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident, contact a qualified attorney immediately. An attorney can help investigate your case, gather the necessary facts, and win an appropriate settlement for you. No amount of money can make up for the damage that a serious accident does to the victim and the family, but the negligent party should be held liable.

Truck accidents can be devastating. Although all automobile accidents have the potential of creating horrible injuries, trucks can create extremely harmful injuries due to their large size.

As a direct result of the potential harm that truck accidents can cause, the trucking industry is heavily regulated. In Pennsylvania, trucks must be registered with the state. There is also a maximum size and weight limit. For trucks that exceed the limit, trucks must obtain a permit to authorize them to operate these vehicles on the road. Trucks carrying hazardous materials are also held to a high standard of care due to the extremely dangerous nature of the materials. Truck drivers have to take care to secure the materials so they are not released onto the road where they can harm innocent bystanders.

Despite the heavy regulation of the truck industry, many truck companies are only concerned with their truck deliveries and the drivers are encouraged to ignore the laws. However, it is important that the drivers and the companies are held liable for their respective negligence.

After a truck accident, the first inquiry to be made is how long the truck has been on the road. Truck drivers often drive across country and consequently, they are on the road for long hours. However, as a driver on the road, truck drivers owe a duty to the rest of the drivers on the road not to drive when they are fatigued or otherwise distracted. Sleepy drivers are not always aware of their fatigued state. Even when they are aware, truck drivers are motivated to continue driving to reach their destination on time. Falling asleep on the road or losing control of the truck as a result of fatigue is negligent. Another cause of truck accidents based on driver error is speeding.

Vehicle condition, weather, and roadway conditions can also be the cause of truck accidents.

People with social security disability claims are often in pain from their disability, running low on money, and frustrated with the social security system. These feelings are understandable. However, there are ways to make the social security disability insurance (SSDI) proceedings a little smoother.

There are certain steps that should be taken to improve your chances of being successful in a SSDI case. You should thoroughly complete any and all forms required by the court. Include all relevant employment and medical history. It is important not to think the information you are giving is too personal. Of course, the nature of the entire case is personal. Health and finances are private matters. Nonetheless, in this case, the decision maker will be able to make a quicker decision with a more appropriate outcome with more thorough information.

Include information from your treating physicians and dates they treated you. Because attorneys and judges are not doctors, the physicians’ reports will be key in the determination of your award. The more details that the physicians can provide about your condition and your inability to work, the better your case will be. Also make sure to attend all doctors’ appointments, interviews, and never miss a filing deadline.

In addition, it is important to tell the truth and provide accurate information. You want to convince the decision maker that you are a credible claimant.

Ultimately, if you have been unable to work for at least 12 months due to illness or injury, you may be eligible for SSDI. Many claims are denied once and even twice, before an award is made. As a result, it is important not to give up if you indeed have an eligible illness or injury.

These proceedings can be very stressful given the condition of the claimant. As a result, a qualified attorney with experience in SSDI can help you build a successful case. An attorney will make sure you complete all forms properly, visit the appropriate physicians and receive a fair award.

Slip and fall accidents are rooted in premises liability law. Property owners owe a duty to people on their land. The liability for slip and falls depend on the visitor’s status and whether they were invited or they were trespassing.

Slip and fall claims arise out of a variety of reasons including, ice and snow accumulation, unlit spaces, liquid on floors, loose carpets, defective elevators, and foreign objects on floors. In cold climates, ice and snow accumulation cases are not uncommon.

Snow and ice can be very dangerous. Sometimes, ice is barely visible to the naked eye. If someone steps on slippery ice, there is a good chance they will slip and fall on the hard concrete.

Pennsylvania slip and fall cases can involve failure to remove snow or ice from sidewalks or walkways, failure to remove snow or ice from parking lots, failure to remove snow or ice from driveways, failure to clear snow or ice from parking lots, or the failure to keep entry ways clear of snow or ice.

In Pennsylvania, possessors of land are generally required to remove any accumulation of ice and snow. The Pennsylvania courts require the victim to prove that “hills and ridges” were present in such a way that the ice and snow unreasonably obstructed travel on the walkway. Whether or not there were sufficiently dangerous “hills and ridges” is a question of fact, which will generally be determined by a jury.

The walkway had to be bumpy so that it made it difficult to navigate the space. Because the determination of all slip and fall cases will depend on the circumstances surrounding the fall, it is important to be able to describe the situation. It will be important to describe the condition of the walkway, why the condition made walking dangerous, and that the slip and fall victim was acting in a reasonable way before coming into contact with the ice and snow.