Todd Miller Law LLC Todd Miller Law LLC 2026-11-02T17:56:51Z https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1104483/2022/12/cropped-ID-image-32x32.jpg On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[3 types of workplace fall prevention strategies]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50845 2026-11-02T17:56:51Z 2026-11-02T17:56:51Z Employers need to be aware of the risk posed by falls. Workers can suffer severe injuries, and falls often have fatal consequences. To help mitigate these risks in situations where there is no choice but for employees to work at heights, different types of fall prevention strategies need to be used. There are three general categories that both employers and employees should be aware of.

1. Preventing the fall from taking place

First and foremost, fall prevention is sometimes possible. If there is a single exposed edge where a worker could fall, erecting a temporary or permanent guardrail may be a solution. This makes it impossible for the worker to reach that exposed edge and keeps them out of danger.

2. Restricting the worker's range of motion

In other situations, it may not be practical to physically prevent a worker from going over the edge. Say that a worker has to climb on a flat roof, which has four exposed edges. It is not realistic to put guardrails on all of them, but a travel restraint system can be used. The worker is tethered to the roof in a way that makes it impossible for them to reach those edges, but they can still do their job.

3. Arresting the fall as it occurs

Finally, there are certain jobs where falls are just a possibility. There is no way to fully prevent them. In these cases, a fall arrest system may be used. An example could be giving the worker a harness that they can wear, and they can then be clipped into a dynamic rope that will catch them if they fall, reducing the chances of serious injury. These types of fall protection can be useful, but there are always risks on the job. Injured workers need to know how to seek appropriate workers’ comp benefits.]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[Communication issues can lead to jobsite injuries]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50843 2026-10-19T16:28:00Z 2026-10-19T16:28:00Z Communication issues can directly lead to injuries in the workplace. They can cause oversights and mistakes that would not occur otherwise. Exactly how this happens is unique from one situation to the next. Let's consider a few ways that communication problems could put an employee in the hospital.

Making assumptions

In some cases, assumptions are made that put someone directly in harm's way. Someone may be operating heavy equipment on a construction site, for example. They assume that no one is walking behind the equipment while it is in operation. Meanwhile, an employee who is behind the equipment assumes that they have already been seen and that the operator will wait for them.

Inconsistent communication

Whether using hand signals or verbal communication, inconsistencies can lead to mistakes. If one employee waves their hand to tell another to wait while they are driving a vehicle, but that employee thinks that it is a hand signal meaning it is safe for them to proceed, someone could be seriously injured.

A loud workplace

One significant issue is that many construction sites are loud and relatively chaotic workplaces. It may be difficult for workers to hear, even at a yell. Some workers may be wearing earplugs, earmuffs or other types of ear protection. This can lead to a scenario where one employee does communicate something to another and then assumes they have the information needed to work safely, but that person never heard them in the first place. Serious workplace injuries can lead to high medical bills, lost wages and more. Injured parties need to know how to seek workers’ comp benefits.  ]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[What if your boss questions your work-related injury?]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50841 2026-10-15T15:15:13Z 2026-10-15T15:15:13Z Your employer may examine the concern After your supervisor raises concerns, your employer may look into your job duties, work conditions and the circumstances surrounding your injury. If they believe your condition did not result from your work, they may challenge the connection between your job and your injury as part of the workers’ compensation process. However, the employer’s concerns alone do not determine whether your claim qualifies for benefits.

The claim administrator will review the dispute

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) or your self-insured employer will review the claim, depending on your employer’s coverage. Medical records, your work history and details about possible workplace exposure can help establish whether your injury relates to your job. They may also contact you for more information that may help resolve your case, so be prepared with your documentation.

You receive a decision or notice of further proceedings

The responsible administrator will issue a decision on your claim. If you disagree with a BWC decision, you may appeal it to the Ohio Industrial Commission, which holds hearings to resolve disputed claims.

Get help understanding your claim’s status

A disagreement about your injury can complicate your workers’ compensation claim, but you do not have to navigate the process alone. An Ohio workers’ compensation attorney can review your claim notices and medical records, explain the dispute and help you understand your options. Getting advice early can also help you respond to requests and keep track of important deadlines.]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[Your workplace environment could lead to hearing loss]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50839 2026-10-05T19:57:15Z 2026-10-05T19:57:15Z Hearing loss can happen in a number of ways in the workplace, and some reports indicate that it is one of the most common work-related illnesses. Often, hearing loss happens from being exposed to a high number of decibels for an extended period of time. The exposure limit that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends is no more than 85 dB on average, over an eight-hour workday. When the consistent noise exceeds this 85 dB average, it can lead to significant issues. Additionally, workers are sometimes exposed to a one-time event that can cause significant hearing loss. Even if they generally work in a relatively quiet environment, a sudden loud event, like a gunshot or an explosion, could leave them unable to hear due to acute tinnitus.

Is this a permanent change?

With these one-time events, the damage often is not permanent. A person may have trouble hearing for a few hours or days, for example, or hear ringing in their ear, but they will gradually regain their ability to hear as they did before. However, when there is long-term exposure, hearing loss is often permanent. This makes it a bit different from other types of workplace injuries, where workers can seek appropriate medical treatment and make a full recovery. Someone who has lost a significant percentage of their hearing may have no options to regain that ability, as the body simply cannot heal and recover the lost hearing. There are sometimes devices that can be used, such as hearing aids, but they still do not mean that a person has recovered physically. That is why it is important for workers to know when they are in a dangerous environment and how to take proactive steps, such as using hearing protection on the job. Those suffering from permanent hearing loss and other workplace illnesses must know what legal options they have moving forward.  ]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[Rushing can lead to workplace accidents and injuries]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50824 2026-09-23T18:30:30Z 2026-09-23T18:30:30Z Many workers feel pressure to rush while they are on the job. Production seems to be all that matters to their supervisor. They feel constant stress over trying to get more done in a shorter amount of time, and it never seems to end. One problem that this mindset can create is that rushing increases the odds of accidents, injuries, mistakes and oversights. Someone who is in a rush is not taking the time to do their job safely and properly, and this increases the odds of a significant workplace accident.

Skipping safety checks

One example could be if someone is rushing to use a certain type of machinery, so they do not do the necessary safety checks. They just assume that the machine is going to work correctly, as it usually does. But if there is a malfunction or an issue that would have been discovered prior to activating that machine, they could suffer avoidable injuries by using it without doing the checks first.

Hurrying to get the job done

Even when an employee technically takes all of the steps that are required, just hurrying through the workplace can be problematic.  For example, take a worker who is driving a forklift. If they are rushing, they may drive faster than is prudent or reasonable in a cramped warehouse setting. This could lead to a collision with an employee, a customer or a stationary object. If the employee felt free to just slow down and do their job carefully and safely, the accident could have been avoided. Rushing is a very common part of workplace culture, but you can see how it is also quite dangerous. Those who have suffered workplace injuries need to know what legal options they have.]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[The documents that matter most in a workers’ comp claim]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50821 2026-09-14T13:59:51Z 2026-09-14T13:59:51Z Accident and incident records Records describing your workplace injury can establish when, where and how the incident happened. Keep a copy of your employer's injury or incident report along with any written notice you submitted about the accident. You should also save photographs of the scene and contact information for anyone who witnessed what happened. One of the most important records to keep is Ohio's First Report of Injury, Occupational Disease or Death (FROI), which starts the workers' compensation claim and records basic information about your injury, employer and medical treatment.

Medical records and treatment documentation

Your medical records show how the injury affects you and what treatment you have received. Keep copies of evaluations, diagnoses, test results, treatment notes, prescriptions and appointment records. Tell your healthcare provider that the condition resulted from your work so your medical records accurately reflect the circumstances. Your medical documents can also help you track how your condition changes during recovery.

Wage and employment records

Pay records can help show how an injury affects your income. Save recent pay stubs, wage statements and records showing changes in your earnings after the injury. These records may matter when your benefits depend on your pre-injury wages or when you cannot return to your regular position. Keeping records from before and after the injury can help show how your employment and income changed.

Workers' comp notices and claim correspondence

Keep every notice and message you receive about your claim. This includes BWC decisions, treatment determinations and communications from your employer, managed care organization or BWC. Pay attention to the dates on these notices. Some communications may contain deadlines or explain what you need to do next.

Work restrictions and return-to-work records

Your doctor's work restrictions can show what duties you can safely perform while recovering. Keep copies of work-status forms, medical restrictions and any modified-duty offer from your employer. For example, your doctor may restrict lifting or limit how long you can stand. Written records can help show whether your available duties match those medical limits.

Protect your right to worker's comp

Keeping everything together can make it easier to find information when you need it. Organize your records by date and keep copies of important paperwork rather than relying on memory or scattered emails. Reviewing your workers' comp records with an attorney can also help you understand how they fit into your claim and what you may need to address next.]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[Patient handling can lead to back injuries for healthcare workers]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50819 2026-09-10T15:28:03Z 2026-09-10T15:28:03Z Some studies have found that healthcare workers have especially high risks of suffering back injuries and other musculoskeletal injuries. People often associate these injuries with manual labor jobs or operating heavy machinery, but those who work as doctors and nurses in a healthcare setting experience these injuries more often. One of the main risks, as these studies have found, is that healthcare providers have to engage in extensive patient handling. One report claimed that: “For nurses, heavy lifting is the most significant risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in the lower back.” When moving heavy patients who have a limited ability to move on their own, nurses face severe risks of back injuries.

Why does this movement take place?

For patients who are ill, injured or disabled, moving on their own may be difficult or even impossible. Nurses may have to help them through patient handling for a wide variety of reasons, such as:
  • Helping the patient in and out of bed
  • Helping them transfer from a wheelchair to a bed or vice versa
  • Assisting them with daily tasks, like using the bathroom or taking a shower
  • Helping them move in and out of vehicles
  • Helping to move patients in hospital facilities, such as an operating room
For many nurses, the patient they are trying to move may weigh more than the nurse themselves, putting them at risk. Also, even simple balance and coordination issues can increase this risk. If a nurse is helping a patient walk when that patient slips and falls, the nurse may react instinctively to catch them, but this sort of off-balance movement could lead to a serious back injury. Those who have suffered significant workplace injuries in a healthcare setting need to know exactly what rights they have to workers’ compensation. Legal guidance can help overcome issues with your claim.]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[Why your exact diagnosis matters in an Ohio workers’ comp claim]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50816 2026-08-28T15:55:44Z 2026-08-28T15:55:44Z When the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) approves a workers' comp claim, it does not simply approve a general injury. It approves a specific list of medical conditions tied to exact diagnoses. The law refers to those approved conditions as "allowed conditions" and they determine what treatment your claim will cover. If a doctor later finds something new, like a herniated disc, that condition may not receive coverage until you take formal steps to add it to your claim.

What allowed conditions actually mean

A workers' comp claim in Ohio covers only the conditions the BWC approves. Understanding what that means in practice can help you avoid unexpected gaps in your coverage. Keep these points in mind:
  • Allowed conditions are specific diagnoses: The BWC approves claims based on exact medical codes, not broad descriptions like "back injury" or "shoulder problem."
  • Treatment must match the approved condition: If your approved condition is a lumbar sprain, the BWC may not pay for herniated disc treatment at the same location unless that condition is also allowed.
  • New diagnoses require action: When a doctor identifies a new condition related to your injury, it does not automatically become part of your claim.
Getting a new diagnosis is only part of the process. Actually getting coverage for it requires a separate step.

How to add a new condition to your claim

Adding a newly diagnosed condition to an existing claim involves a formal process with the BWC. A few things to know before you start:
  • You or your attorney can file a motion to amend your claim to add the new condition
  • The BWC and your employer's insurance carrier may challenge the addition
  • Medical evidence linking the new condition to your original injury carries significant weight
  • Delays in adding a condition can result in gaps in your treatment coverage
An Ohio workers' comp attorney can help you build the right medical record and navigate the process correctly. Allowed conditions control what your claim actually covers, and a missing diagnosis can leave you paying out of pocket for treatment you deserve. Taking the right steps early can protect both your health and your claim.]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[What are the Focus Four?]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50813 2026-08-21T18:19:53Z 2026-08-21T18:19:53Z The Focus Four, which used to be known as the Fatal Four, are some of the major hazards that construction workers face. OSHA focuses on teaching workers how to identify these hazards and avoid them, seeking to cut back on fatal accidents or those leading to severe injury. In general, the Focus Four are: Falls, caught-between, struck-by and electrocution.

All falls are significant

Falls are listed first because they lead to the most fatal accidents in the construction industry. Some of these are significant falls from height, such as when a worker falls off of a scaffold or a ladder. But even a slip-and-fall accident can lead to serious head injuries on a construction site.

Using heavy machinery

Many caught-between or “caught-in” accidents involve heavy machinery. A worker may be entangled in a conveyor belt, for instance, or caught between two pieces of moving machinery.

Vehicles and falling materials

Struck-by incidents can happen in a few different ways, one of which is simply when someone is struck by a vehicle on the construction site. But there are also hazards with materials or tools falling from above if they are not tethered and secured properly.

Live electrical lines

Electrocution issues are often a problem when working around live electrical lines or with certain types of power equipment. Miscommunication could be the culprit, such as when a worker believes that a line has not been connected yet and is not live, when it is actually carrying a significant voltage. Workers who have been injured in any of these ways may deserve significant workers’ comp benefits, and they need to know what legal steps to take.]]> On Behalf of Todd Miller Law LLC <![CDATA[Avoiding high-level falls on construction sites]]> https://www.toddmillerlawllc.com/?p=50811 2026-08-20T23:06:09Z 2026-08-20T23:06:09Z Falling from height on a construction site is one hazard that can maim or kill workers and is perhaps the most likely event to result in a fatality. Because scaffold builders and others work hundreds of feet off the ground, their lives are particularly at risk with even one misstep. Construction crews all have their own shudder-inducing tales of colleagues who “walked air” on some random Wednesday afternoon. Yet they know that they, too, are but a stutter-step away from a similar fate.

Safety should be a component of every job

Construction jobs should prioritize safety over bottom lines. But in the real world, that may unfortunately not always be the case. Ultimately, each person on that ladder or scaffolding is responsible for ensuring that they make it down to go home each night.

Tips to keep you safer when you're working

Construction workers might benefit from the following construction safety tips:
  • If you are working at height, invest in quality footwear with steel toes that won’t slip on ladders or surfaces.
  • Use lanyards to tie off tools.
  • Use three-point contacts at all times when on elevated surfaces.
These tips are just a few of the steps workers can take to protect themselves and their co-workers on the job site.

If a fall does happen

It may bring healing to broken-hearted loved ones to seek compensation for your loss of life in a fatal workplace accident. While no amount of money could ever replace your physical presence and emotional support, your loved ones’ lives could be made easier by a workers’ compensation settlement or judgment.]]>