Kansas City Workers' Compensation Law Blog

A driver who transports passengers in their vehicles in Kansas City takes a great responsibility on themselves when they choose to do so. They are charged with the safety of all of those in the car. Like most, you might assume that responsibility ends with them driving safely so as to avoid any unnecessary risks, yet it even goes farther than that, even down to making sure that everyone is wearing their seat belts. 

This last statement may seem odd to you in that the common school of thought is that it is up to each individual passenger to ensure their own safety by wearing their seat belt. This assumption is indeed correct in many cases. If you are traveling as a passenger, it is up to you to make sure that your seat belt is fastened. You cannot then sue the driver for not doing so and then being injured in an accident (if your injury is solely due to you not having properly worn your seat belt). 

Regardless of whether or not you are a dog lover, it is difficult to deny that canines provide millions of Americans with loving companionship. Indeed, the ease at which they can be trained and domesticated often causes many to look past the fact that they are still animals, and as animals, they possess certain instincts that can lead them to act aggressively. If you have been bitten by a dog, you know this better than most. You also know that such an injury can be costly, and can have you wondering whether you can hold their owners legally liable. Many have come to us here at The Law Office of Michael J. Joshi with the same question. The answer depends on where the incident occurred. 

According to the Cornell Law School, a legal principle exists known as "the one-bite rule." This states that you can only hold a dog owner liable for injuries their animal inflicts if there were prior evidence available to them that suggested their dog had the propensity to act aggressively. Essentially, this rule allows a dog one bite before an owner is legally responsible for its actions. However, enforcement of this principle is not uniform across the country. Kansas is a one-bite state, while Missouri is not. 

The construction industry in Missouri poses many hazards that could cause injuries with lifelong consequences. Make sure you do not limit your focus to the so-called Fatal Four. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the top four construction site fatality hazards include falls, caught-in or between accidents, struck-by accidents and electrocutions.

Hand tools form a significant part of your daily jobs on a construction site, and the hazards they pose deserve more attention than what they get. Although OSHA's safety regulations do not specifically cover hand tools, employers must comply with general standards, which include assured grounding conductors to prevent electrical shocks, along with appropriate personal protective equipment, like gloves and safety goggles.

Back pain is a common gripe for many adults. This is especially true among people who work in offices, who often experience significant pain and discomfort after sitting in a chair for eight or more hours a day. While back pain isn't necessarily damaging on its own, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to a myriad of health issues, some of which may be serious. The Mayo Clinic explains why work-related back pain occurs and what you can do to mitigate its effects.

It's commonly believed that constantly lifting and moving heavy objects at work is the primary source of back pain and strain. While this is definitely a factor, there are other situations that can also cause issues for workers. Repetitive movements, such as constantly bending or twisting your spine, can also be a factor. This type of movement is often present on assembly lines or in warehouses. Conversely, inactivity can be just as damaging to the structures in the spine. Inactivity is a huge concern within an office environment, especially when workers are there for long hours.