25 Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S.

A job injury can happen in any work environment. However, there are some occupations that carry a greater risk of injury and death than others. In fact, there are some professions in which the risk of dying is 10 times higher when compared to the average American job.

The financial website 24/7 Wall St. recently reviewed fatal injury rates for 71 occupations from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries program. If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident in South Carolina or North Carolina, contact Stewart Law Offices to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney today.

Top 25 Most Dangerous Occupations

The most severe job injuries typically occur in industries that use heavy machinery or have employees working at great heights. But even a desk job could result in a serious injury.

The 25 most dangerous jobs in America include:

1. Logging workers
2. Fishers and related fishing workers
3. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
4. Roofers
5. Refuse and recyclable materials collectors
6. Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers
7. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
8. Structural iron and steel workers
9. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
10. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
11. Electrical powerline installers and repairers
12. Grounds maintenance workers
13. Miscellaneous agricultural workers
14. Helpers, construction trades
15. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
16. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
17. Construction laborers
18. Maintenance and repair workers, general
19. Mining machine operators
20. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
21. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
22. Electricians
23. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
24. Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers
25. Industrial truck and tractor operators

Common Types of Workplace Accidents

According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured on the job every seven seconds. While not all accidents are serious, even a mild job injury may keep an employee out of work for several days or longer.

The most common causes of workplace injuries include:

• Overexertion
• Contact with objects and equipment
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Defective machinery
• Exposure to hazardous materials and toxic substances
• Insufficient safety equipment
• Poor supervision
• Failure to follow safety standards
• Undertrained workers
• Repetitive motion

Most employers in South Carolina and North Carolina are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to help cover medical expenses and lost income resulting from on-the-job injuries. These benefits can be critical sources of support for families while their loved one is recuperating, especially if he or she is the primary breadwinner.

Examples of Job Injuries

Tens of thousands of workers in the Carolinas suffer job injuries that range from mild to catastrophic. The most common types of workplace injuries include:

• Muscle sprains, strains, and tears
• Cuts and lacerations
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Knee injuries
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Amputation
• Electrocution
• Thermal and chemical burns
• Respiratory problems
• Visual or hearing impairment
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

Workers’ compensation benefits are typically available to employees regardless of who is at fault. Despite this no-fault system, deserving workers sometimes need help getting the benefits they are entitled to. When that’s the case, a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney can advise them of their legal options.

Need Help with a Workers’ Comp Claim? Call Stewart Law Offices Today

Involved in a workplace accident? Obtaining full and fair workers’ comp benefits can be a vital way to stay financially afloat while you recuperate. But filing claims can be complex and frustrating. Our experienced and compassionate lawyers at Stewart Law Offices can assist with every part of the workers’ comp process.

Call or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims

After an injury at work, it’s natural to wonder what happens next. While you may have heard the terms “workers’ compensation” and “personal injury” before, understanding the difference between the two types of claims will be important as you weigh your legal options.

To help answer these complex questions, the South Carolina workers’ compensation and personal injury attorneys at Stewart Law Offices have put together the following information for you.

Is Workers’ Compensation Considered Personal Injury Law?

No. Workers’ compensation and personal injury are two separate areas of the law.

The workers’ compensation system is designed specifically for injured employees. A successful workers’ comp claim can pay medical bills, provide partial wage reimbursement, and supply other benefits to employees who are injured in workplace accidents.

By contrast, an individual could file a personal injury claim for many different types of accidents. Auto accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, and defective products cases are all examples of personal injury claims.

People who are injured in workplace accidents are typically unable to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer. However, there are times when a workplace injury can result in a personal injury claim. Because the lines can get blurry, the best way to find out your legal options is by consulting with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney.

No Fault in a Workers’ Comp Claim

One major distinction between a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim surrounds the issue of fault.

If you’re injured on the job, you may obtain workers’ comp benefits regardless of who is at fault for the injury. Not so in a personal injury claim — you can only recover compensation if you can prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injury.

Different Damages in a Personal Injury Claim

The types of compensation you are able to collect are also different when comparing personal injury and workers’ comp claims.
In a workers’ compensation claim, your employer’s insurance company will provide payment of your medical bills, a percentage of your lost wages, and disability benefits while you recuperate.

However, a workers’ comp claim will not pay for pain and suffering or provide for punitive damages against a party for especially gross misconduct. Those types of damages can be sought in a personal injury claim, along with coverage of medical expenses, lost income, and more.

Are All Work Injuries Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?

Not every injury that occurs at work will be covered under the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. For example, insurers may refuse to pay if they believe the worker deliberately caused their injuries or was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

There are other times when a workers’ compensation claim is legitimate, but a worker also has a valid personal injury claim. These are known as third-party claims because they are filed when someone else (not the employer) causes an injury. For example, if a warehouse worker is injured by a piece of defective equipment, he or she could file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer that created the faulty equipment.

How Can Stewart Law Offices Help Me?

Need help figuring out whether you have a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim? Talk to the experienced attorneys at Stewart Law Offices today. Our law firm is staffed with accomplished personal injury lawyers and workers’ compensation attorneys who can advise which type of claim might be appropriate for you.

Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

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Stewart Law Offices COVID-19 Update

You Don’t Need to Leave the House to Meet with Our Lawyers.

Concerned About Coronavirus?

We all have a duty to keep ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe right now. This means temporarily reshaping the way we live our lives to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). At Stewart Law Offices we are taking this duty seriously and are practicing the “social distancing” guidelines recommended by health officials. To ensure you still have access to us, our lawyers are available to meet with you remotely so we can answer your legal questions and discuss your case.

Across the nation, people are limiting in-person contact as much as possible to help slow the spread of the virus and allow our health care system to operate within its capacity. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to provide important guidance about what we all can do to protect ourselves and others from exposure. (Visit the CDC website for the most up-to-date information and recommendations.)

During this challenging time, our attorneys remain available to talk about your legal issues over the phone or via free video conferencing services such as:

• GoToMeeting
• Facetime
• Skype
• Zoom

If you are ready to speak with a lawyer now, please contact us to schedule your free consultation. Our team can meet with you remotely and get started on your case immediately without having to talk in person.

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Three Attorneys Given Rising Star Award by Super Lawyers

Stewart Law Offices is proud to announce that three of its personal injury attorneys have been named to the 2019 Rising Star list by Super Lawyers.

Attorneys Sam Bass, Tyler Bathrick, and Stephen Vicari II are among only 2.5 percent of young attorneys nationwide who are chosen for the honor. It recognizes attorneys for excellence in practicing law and is based on peer nominations, third-party research, and a final approval by a panel of attorneys. To qualify, lawyers must be 40 years or younger and in practice for less than 10 years.

Super Lawyers is a rating service that performs an annual review of outstanding attorneys in each state. The purpose is to help people who are searching for an attorney to find one with the high level of competency and skill that they are looking for.

The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are published in Super Lawyers Magazines nationwide and in other publications across the country.

About Sam Bass

Sam Bass works in the Spartanburg, S.C. location of Stewart Law Offices. A 2008 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, Bass represents clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, motor vehicle accident, and wrongful death cases.

In addition to being designated a Rising Star, Bass has been named as one of the “Top 40 Lawyers Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers. He has also earned a superb score by the online legal directory Avvo.

Bass is a graduate of the S.C. Bar’s Leadership Academy and a member of its House of Delegates. From 2015-2017, he served as the Seventh Circuit Representative of the Young Lawyers Division. In 2019, Bass also expanded his legal services by becoming a certified mediator.

About Tyler Bathrick

Attorney Tyler Bathrick represents clients in Stewart Law Offices’ Rock Hill office. Bathrick has extensive experience handling workers’ compensation claims in South Carolina. He trained under two former members of the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission and has assisted hundreds of deserving South Carolinians in resolving workers’ compensation disputes.

A 2006 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, Bathrick has an excellent rating by the legal directory Avvo and is a member of the York County Bar Association and the Injured Workers’ Advocates.

About Stephen Vicari II

Stephen Vicari II is based in the Columbia location of Stewart Law Offices, where he represents clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, auto accidents, and other legal claims.

A South Carolina native, Vicari joined the U.S. Navy following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and went on the earn his law degree at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2015. Vicari was named one of the “Top 40 Lawyers Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers in 2018. He is also a member of the S.C. Association for Justice, American Association for Justice, and the Injured Workers Advocates.

Find High-Quality and Individualized Legal Services at Stewart Law Offices

Stewart Law Offices provides comprehensive legal assistance to injured clients in South Carolina and North Carolina. For more information about how our legal team can help you, contact us today.

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Who’s At Fault In A Self-Driving Car Accident?

Self-driving cars are widely considered to be the next great innovation in automotive safety. The idea is that autonomous cars will prevent crashes and injuries by eliminating the No. 1 cause of car accidents — human error. But who’s to blame when a driverless car is involved in an accident? So far, the answer’s not clear.

Right now, there are no laws regarding liability that specifically address autonomous vehicles. That’s a problem because the U.S. has already recorded fatal self-driving car accidents in several states.

Below, the South Carolina car accident attorneys at Stewart Law Offices have outlined some of the complicated liability questions that have been raised regarding self-driving cars.

Questions of Fault In Driverless Car Crashes

In a conventional South Carolina car accident, liability usually falls upon the at-fault driver. That person’s insurance company would therefore be responsible for paying compensation to the accident victim for any injuries. But with driverless cars, questions of fault get complex.

At this time, no self-driving vehicles are fully automated. Instead, a backup driver sits inside and is able to take over if a crash is about to happen. The eventual goal is for the self-driving car to be fully in control, but that’s still years away, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

When someone is hurt in a crash caused by a self-driving car, determining fault depends on the cause of the collision.

Driver error

Human error is responsible for 94 percent of car accidents. Was the backup driver paying attention when the crash occurred? Investigations into a recent self-driving car accident in Arizona found that the driver did not have his eyes on the road in the moments before the collision. If the operator of the self-driving car was not being careful, he or she could be held liable.

Vehicle Malfunction

Just like today’s cars, autonomous vehicles can still experience malfunctions that could cause accidents. If the backup driver was monitoring the vehicle carefully and the car breaks down for some reason (e.g., brake failure), it’s possible that the manufacturer of the autonomous car may be held responsible for the crash.

Design Defect

Autonomous cars have complex computer software, sensors, cameras and other hardware that can control all aspects of the vehicle’s operation. Software bugs or other technological flaws that cause accidents could allow injured victims to sue the designers of the faulty technology.

Other Potentially Liable Parties

Keep in mind that there are other possible parties to blame in crashes involving self-driving cars. In accidents involving multiple vehicles, liability may need to be split among multiple drivers as well as the autonomous car’s driver and/or manufacturer.

Fault could also rest on a government entity if a failure to maintain the road or traffic signage contributed to the accident. For that reason, it will be critical to consult with a personal injury attorney who knows how to investigate complex car accident cases.

Demanding Compensation for Car Accident Victims

Stewart Law Offices represents car accidents victims in South Carolina and North Carolina. Our personal injury attorneys are paying close attention to the development of self-driving cars and how that will impact our clients in the future.

Need help now? Call or contact our experienced attorneys today.

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Kids’ Chance of South Carolina

The workers’ compensation attorneys at Stewart Law Offices understand how a workplace accident can change the lives of families forever. That’s why we’ve chosen March to highlight and share our support for Kids’ Chance of South Carolina, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to children of workers who were injured or killed on the job.

Stewart Law Offices Supports Changing Families Forever

Since 1992, Kids’ Chance has awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships to eligible students seeking to attend college or vocational schools after graduating from high school. But the need for additional support to South Carolinians is great. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there were 32,800 workplace injuries or illnesses recorded in South Carolina in a recent year. Of that number, an astounding 57 percent of those cases were considered severe.

“When a parent is suddenly unable to work after a job accident, the stability of the entire family is put in jeopardy,” says Brent Stewart, founder of Stewart Law Offices. “Our law firm and Kids’ Chance of South Carolina share a similar mission in helping these deserving families find the financial means necessary to secure a better future.”

There are many ways to contribute to Kids’ Chance. Financial donations can be made by individuals, companies, foundations, and other organizations. Volunteers are also welcome to serve on fundraising committees or as board members.

Spreading the word about Kids’ Chance is another way to help. Many South Carolina businesses provide corporate sponsorships to community organizations. Ask your employer whether they’ll consider donating to Kids’ Chance. All contributions are tax deductible.

Do you know someone whose parent was severely injured or killed in a job accident? You probably don’t hear them complaining about how hard life can be, not just financially but also emotionally. But the challenges are there. If they are considering post-secondary education but worried about the costs, direct them to https://www.kidschancesc.org/ to learn more.

Scholarship Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Be bound for post-secondary (after high school) education
• Have achieved a high school diploma by the first disbursement of the scholarship
• Under age 25 at the time of the full disbursement of the award
• Entering to study or already studying at an accredited two-year or four-year college or vocational school
• Have at least one parent, stepparent, or legal guardian who was seriously injured or killed in a workplace accident that was documented and deemed compensable by the S.C. Workers’ Compensation Commission

Applicants are eligible for four traditional years (eight traditional semesters) of the scholarship award. You can apply online. For questions or additional information, email angie@kidschancesc.org or call (846) 546-5837.

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Daylight Saving Time Increases Risk of Fatal Accidents

On March 8, South Carolinians will shift their clocks forward one hour to mark the beginning of Daylight Saving Time (DST). With the transition, Americans lose one hour of sleep and are at an increased risk of being involved in deadly car accidents, according to researchers.

A new study in the journal Current Biology found that auto accident deaths rise 6 percent in the week after the spring time change, resulting in about 28 fatal crashes per year.

Scientists say that springing forward contributes to crashes by disrupting sleep patterns, putting drowsy drivers on the roads each morning while it’s still dark. Essentially, motorists are in a state of “mini-jetlag,” where their normal sleep and wake cycles are suddenly thrown off balance.

This is not the first time that researchers have linked the spring shift to Daylight Saving Time with a rise in auto accidents. Several studies have shown a significant increase in crashes, especially on the Monday following the time change. In addition, the spring switch has been attributed to a spike in the number of workplace accidents, heart attacks, strokes and even suicides.

These latest results come just after South Carolina passed a bill that would allow the Palmetto State to remain on DST if the federal government allows it, something that both Gov. Henry McMaster and the Trump Administration have said they support.

Drowsy Driving: A Serious Problem

Daylight Saving Time aside, drowsy driving is already a concern for U.S. motorists. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1 in 25 adult drivers report having fallen asleep behind the wheel.

Closer to home, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s most current statistics show that 536 traffic collisions in a single year involved a driver who was fatigued or asleep. Of those crashes, three people died and 274 others were injured.

Sleepy drivers are dangerous drivers for several reasons:

• They are less able to pay attention to the roads.
• They have slower reflexes, causing delays in their reaction times if an emergency arises.
• They are more likely to make careless driving decisions.

Preparing Yourself To Spring Forward

Sleep experts say that there are ways to prepare yourself for the upcoming switch to DST. Tips include:

• Go to bed 15 minutes earlier in the week leading up to the time change. You will need to shift your wake times as well.
• Turn the lights on as soon as you wake up. Light plays a huge role in regulating your sleep and wake cycle.
• Use blackout curtains. Make your room dark and cool to help your body get into sleep mode, even if it’s light outside.
• Don’t increase your caffeine. Many people rely on caffeine to get through the morning lull, but upping your intake to cope with Daylight Saving Time could make it more difficult to get to bed at night.
• Listen to your body. If you’re too tired to get behind the wheel, don’t drive. It’s better to call in late to work or make your kids tardy for school than risk a crash.

Skilled South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Are Here To Help

The personal injury attorneys at Stewart Law Offices represent clients who have been injured in accidents in both Carolinas. If you were in a car accident involving a drowsy driver, contact us today for a free consultation.

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