Recent News – Smith & Griffith Legal Blog

Hazardous lighting conditions and worker safety State-of-the-art flashlight technology may change the way South Carolina workers are protected on the job. Construction industry professionals frequently rely on flashlights to maintain safe working conditions, and new technology has given them a wide range of options to choose from. Hand-held flashlights delivering flood light brightness and lights…

Accident symptoms that may be delayed Many auto accidents happen every year on South Carolina roads, and in some of them, people may have physical symptoms of injuries that do not show up for several days afterwards. This is fairly common, as people may not initially notice symptoms due to the stress, adrenaline and confusion…

Job risks for electricians According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in South Carolina and throughout the country held over 580,000 jobs during 2012. Of that number, nearly 10 percent were self-employed, and over 60 percent were hired by various electrical-related companies. While many electricians work in groups for large companies,…

Uber may help South Carolina residents avoid drunk driving Although public policy tends to favor taxi companies over ride-sharing services like Uber, ride-sharing could lead to fewer DUI fatalities. According to a study by researchers at Temple University, DUI fatalities were reduced by 3.6 to 5.6 percent in markets served by Uber’s basic service, Uber…

An overview of wrong-way driving While any accident on a South Carolina roadway can be serious, head-on collisions can be some of the most devastating accidents. One of the most familiar settings for a head-on collision is a two-lane highway, where visual obstructions can lead to poor decisions about passing a slow vehicle. However, wrong-way…

Technologies may reduce drowsy driving accidents Many South Carolina drivers probably recall the 2014 accident in New Jersey that left comedian Tracy Morgan in serious condition and another person dead. Although there were many questions regarding the accident, it was believed that the truck driver who caused the accident had not slept for 28 hours…

The risks of contaminated water to South Carolina workers When an eyewash station has not been properly maintained or filled with proper solution, it can cause serious injury to workers. Those who have recovered from cancer or other illnesses and have weak immune systems may be especially vulnerable. Additionally, those who have cuts or other…

OSHA addresses problem of workplace amputations Workers in South Carolina can sustain permanent disabilities or lose their lives due to amputations at work. The industry that sees the highest numbers of worker amputations is the manufacturing sector. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2,000 worker amputations reported by manufacturing employers…

Railroads unprepared as safety deadline approaches Train passengers in South Carolina may feel more comfortable riding the rails once a safety technology called positive train control is installed. For the last 40 years, the National Transportation Safety Board has been advising railroads to install PTC in order to prevent fatal accidents like the Amtrak crash…

Workplace injuries more common among new nurses Newly licensed nurses in South Carolina and across the nation may be at a higher risk of being injured on the job than veteran nurses, according to a new study by the RN Work Project. The study, which was published by the International Journal of Nursing Studies, found…