Coye Law Workman's Comp October 2018

Best in Show or Halloween Hazard? Costume Safety Tips for Kids For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a wildcat, or their favorite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing the best Halloween costume. everywhere on Halloween night, so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes, wigs, and accessories. The same goes when you’re buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire-resistant is not the same as fireproof. While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause serious injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. TEST MAKEUP FIRST. Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, which can obscure a child’s vision. LOOK FOR FIRE-RESISTANT COSTUMES. Candles inside jack-o’-lanterns and other open flames are

However, a lot of costume makeup isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Before letting your child cover their face in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the back of their hand first. PRACTICE PROP SAFETY. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material. And if your child wants to wear their Halloween costume to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble.

Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.

How to Calculate Lost Wages For Workers’ Compensation Claims

Tips and commissions should also be factored into this number, but only if they are reported in full on your tax returns. Any money paid under the table will not be looked upon kindly by a claims adjuster and should not be presented in your claim. If you were injured on the job and have a second job, then your workers’ comp benefits could be calculated based upon both jobs. To qualify, the second job must have also had workers’ comp insurance and the employee needs to have paid taxes on income made at the job. Before you complete these calculations, take the time to make sure that your hours and wages are correctly reported on your paychecks. Your employer should also have copies of your pay stubs that match your own. Under no circumstances should you alter your records personally. If you notice a mistake, inform your employer and have them adjust the documents. If you need help with any portion of the workers’ comp claims process, call our office today at 407-901-2712. We have years of experience helping those who’ve been hurt on the job get what they’re rightfully owed.

A workers’ compensation claim can cover your medical expenses and lost wages if you’re hurt while on the clock. The medical expenses portion of a claim is fairly straightforward. After you file a First Report of Injury with your employer and insurance company, your medical bills will be covered. These payments can be made while your claim is still in the process of being filed. Reimbursement for lost wages, on the other hand, is a much slower and more protracted process. Under workers’ compensation law, insurance companies are supposed to pay you two-thirds (66.67 percent) of your average weekly wages during the period preceding your injury. It’s very important that you have a record of your wages (including tips, if applicable) in order to receive the largest amount possible. The formula for calculating lost wages goes like this: • Add up the total amount of wages for the 13 weeks (91 days) preceding your injury. • Divide that number by 13 to get your average wage for one week. Obviously, proper documentation in the form of paychecks is crucial for proving these calculations.

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