Legal fees increase costs for public bodies

An arrangement in the Bossier-Webster district attorney's office whereby Assistant District Attorney Patrick Jackson is compensated for his work for the Bossier and Webster police juries is under scrutiny by the state legislative auditor's office, which recently reviewed the pay structure at the request of state Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton. Until an answer is known, Adley is holding onto proposed legislation that would have outlawed the arrangement under the state's dual employment law. Most ADAs are considered part-time with a salary of $45,000 from the state. District attorneys can add to that from local funds. So having ADAs do legal work for other public bodies on the side is a way of upping their compensation. "But it can cause a conflict and that's what we have to watch for," said District Attorney Jonathan Stewart, of Gibsland. District attorneys can even take on additional work with public bodies as is the case in Mansfield, where District Attorney Richard Johnson also serves as private attorney for the city of Mansfield. Johnson was paid $17,901 in 2009 for various legal work. His annual income statement on file with the state Ethics Board indicates he did not earn more than $24,999 in 2010. The hospital, which is town-owned but separate as far as its operation and finances, has, unlike the town, realized a savings from its self-insured status. It was paying $250,000 to two different carriers for workman's compensation and malpractice. Since 2007, that money is redirected into a sinking fund from which insurance-related matters are paid.

OSHA upgrades shipyard safety rules : NC-Workers-Comp.Com

The rules address 14 workplace safety and health categories, including two new provisions – one dealing with hazardous energy and the other with motor vehicle safety. The hazardous energy provisions addresses what the industry calls “lockout/tagout,” which causes machinery or equipment to start unexpectedly or to be released during servicing or maintenance operations. This can cause serious injuries or even death. 

Transportation, including ground transportation, accounts for nearly 20 percent of all shipyard fatalities. The rule thus covers the operation of motor vehicles within shipyards. An example is a rule which requires the use of a seat belt when operating a motor vehicle in a shipyard. 

Other items covered include:

 Eliminating slippery surfaces Minimum lighting in certain work areas Accounting for employees working alone Having an adequate number of trained first aid providers Proper sanitation requirements

More than 300 injuries occur annually in shipyards throughout the United States. The estimated cost of the rule is $4.2 million annually with estimated benefits of $33.8 million annually. The majority of the rule will take effect on Aug. 1 with provisions covering control of hazardous energy going into effect on Oct. 31. 

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may need a NC Workers Compensation lawyer . Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin for assistance – 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a week – at 1-800-832-6573, or visit us on the Web at www.Farrin.com . The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin may have the resources you need to help with your Workers Comp settlements, including several bilingual (Spanish/English) staff members. The firm is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina with 12 additional  offices statewide. This gives you access to North Carolina Workmans Comp attorneys  in Charlotte, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Greensboro, Greenville, Henderson, New Bern, Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Sanford and Wilson.