Practice Areas

Apr 24, 2015 - Workers' Compensation/Work Injury by Cross & Smith

Variety may be the spice of life, but just about every job involves some degree of repetition. Whether individuals perform one part of a manufacturing process or write key reports, proposals or correspondence on a computer for eight hours every day, their activities can put stress on the same part of their bodies. The resulting injuries can be serious — and they typically qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) do not typically occur as the result of accidents; however, they are conditions that often directly relate to on-the-job activities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports them as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which accounted for an alarming 33 percent of all injury and illness cases in 2013. All too often, injured workers need help from our Tuscaloosa workers’ compensation attorneys due to the challenges of substantiating their claims. Common Types of RSIs Anyone who has hammered one too many nails has probably experienced soreness to the wrists and hands. This type of pain generally goes away within a few days; however, injuries like these can become permanent and debilitating for individuals who hammer nails every day. The following parts of the body commonly sustain RSIs that qualify for workers’ compensation claims: Hands and wrists: A number of years ago, Harvard Gazette dispelled the common believe that excessive use of computers can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, which is no longer classified as repetitive stress. Nonetheless, this disorder is common to assembly line workers, and computer use can cause RSIs, particularly […]

Apr 10, 2015 - Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

Using less water and energy than traditional machines, high energy (HE) washers offer many advantages, particularly to families whose children create extra loads. However, the new technology behind these washing machines also requires families to replace their old laundry soap with HE detergent. Although the detergent is offered in traditional containers, many manufacturers also supply it in single-load pods that make them convenient — and potentially dangerous to children. Our Tuscaloosa accident attorneys support new washing machine designs that preserve water. However, parents who switch to low-sud, highly-concentrated detergent pods need to understand the risks. It takes only minor changes to one’s routine to help ensure the pods do not result in a trip to the emergency room. Why Detergent Pods are Riskier than Standard Detergents Traditionally, a box of laundry powder or a bottle of liquid posed a relatively low safety risk to children for three main reasons: The containers are not particularly attractive to children. Small children (and even adults) cannot easily lift the heavy boxes and bottles. Even with some additives for stain removal and brightening, the formulas are not highly toxic if ingested. Detergent pods, on the other hand, are formulated specifically for use with low-water machines. In fact, new machine owners should not use the older detergents. In addition to keeping the suds level low, their contents are highly concentrated and more toxic. The pods themselves are a double-edged sword: they protect the skin from direct-contact with the detergent, but they look like playthings or […]