Recent News – Smith & Griffith Legal Blog

Sistracted driving accidents and causes South Carolina drivers may believe that texting is the major cause of distracted driving, but research shows that the scope of the problem is much larger. For example, Pokemon Go, the augmented reality game that allows users to collect digital creatures in real-world environments, has already led to distracted driving…

Autonomous safety technology for road crews South Carolina residents may have heard about the development of autonomous vehicle technology that aids in braking and avoiding rear-end collisions. Now, technology that is being developed may help to keep workers safer while they are performing jobs along roads and highways. The autonomous truck-mounted attenuator created by Royal…

Understanding the going and coming rule in South Carolina When a person is injured in a work-related accident, the employer may be held liable for the losses suffered by the employee. This is true when the employee is driving for work purposes or when the employee is injured while attending a work event. The going…

Reducing workplace hazards in South Carolina Most South Carolina workers who are injured on the job are covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. When the number of claims rises, this could lead to an increase in premiums. In addition, a company may also lose money because of lost productivity, the costs of training a…

Gender bias in workers’ compensation claims Anyone could become injured or develop an illness while on the job, but even people who suffer from the same kind of ailment could receive different amounts when filing for workers’ compensation. For instance, women in South Carolina and other states might be given less benefits than men. While…

OSHA strengthens rules protecting workplace injury reports The Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or OSHA, is a federal organization that bears primary responsibility for overseeing workplace safety in the state of North Carolina. They have recently instituted a set of rule changes that promise to safeguard a worker’s ability to report workplace injuries. A major…

Options for victims of South Carolina truck accidents Going to court is not always necessary to receive compensation as a victim of a trucking accident that was caused by the negligence of the truck driver or company. Often, disputes are resolved before the parties involved end up in court, through different methods of negotiation. In…

Welding fumes and avoiding exposure injuries A routine part of many South Carolina workers’ jobs is welding, whether full- or part-time. While welding may seem like a normal part of the job, it is important that welders understand the risks that are involved if they are exposed to the fumes that are produced. Both pressure…

Keeping an eye on the weather Heat and lightning are two hazards that South Carolina employers as well as their employees need to be aware of during the summer months. Hot and humid weather tends to have adverse effects on those who aren’t used to working in such weather or aren’t given enough resources to…

Taking a more proactive approach to workplace safety Employers in South Carolina and around the country are likely aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration introduced a rule on May 11 to modernize the way that workplace injury data is collected. While safety advocates have generally welcomed the new rule, many of them point…