Blog
- Fatal Four Construction Site Injuries
Sep 26, 2018
Some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others. Construction is one of those jobs. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly one in five workplace fatalities occurred in the construction industry. Of the more than 990 workers who died in construction site accidents, more than half were involved in what OSHA calls the “Fatal Four.” Safety experts estimate that if the construction industry could eliminate the Fatal Four, more than 600 lives...Read More - Have I Been Sexually Harassed?
Sep 19, 2018
With the #MeToo movement currently at the forefront of national news, many men and women find themselves reflecting on their own encounters with employers and other authority figures. They may wonder if some of the behavior they have been exposed to constitutes sexual harassment. When do suggestive jokes or playful flirting cross the line and become illegal? Here is a closer look at sexual harassment, and how it is defined by the laws in Pennsylvania...Read More - Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Bill
Sep 12, 2018
The Pennsylvania Legislature is considering a bill that would change Workers’ Compensation law and benefits. The bill, H.B. 1840, would allow an insurer to request a review of a worker’s status after they have received permanent disability benefits for two years. The bill would authorize an insurance carrier to require an employee to submit to a medical examination, for an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE). It would authorize use of the latest version of the American...Read More - Study Finds Teen Drivers Less Cautious After Obtaining a License
Sep 5, 2018
Many children behave better when they know their parents are watching. It appears this may also hold true for teenagers learning to drive. According to a new study, teens are less cautious and take more risks once they have obtained their license and can drive without supervision. A Reputation for Risky Behavior Teenage drivers have long been known to be at greater risk for car accidents than other drivers with more experience. However, a new...Read More - Back to School Safety Tips
Aug 22, 2018
Millions of children will be returning to school soon after enjoying a long summer break. One of the main topics on any parent’s mind is the safety of their children returning to the classroom. Unfortunately, accidents can happen anywhere, and children are at most risk for serious injury while traveling to and from school. It is important for both parents and children to make safety a priority when starting the new school year. Consider the...Read More - Richard J. Schubert Honored in “Best Lawyers in America”
Aug 15, 2018
The legal team at AlpernSchubert P.C. proudly announces that partner Richard Schubert has once again been included in the prestigious Best Lawyers in America publication for plaintiff’s personal injury litigation. Richard has received this honor every year since 2005, making this his fourteenth consecutive year. For more than 37 years, Richard has had noteworthy success representing clients in a wide variety of cases, including motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, slip and fall cases, defective product...Read More - Filing a Discrimination Claim in Pennsylvania
Aug 13, 2018
Every state has laws in place to protect workers’ rights. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) protects residents from unlawful discrimination based on several protected categories, including age, race, and religion. The PHRA addresses discrimination in housing, commercial property, education and public accommodations, and employment. The PHRA makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against a worker based on their: Age Ancestry Color Earning a diploma through a general education test (GED) Known association...Read More - Car and Bike Accidents
Aug 6, 2018
Accidents involving bicyclists and cars can be caused by the bicyclist, the vehicle driver, or both. The bicyclist is more subject to injury or fatality because their only protection is a helmet and motor vehicles are more powerful in size. There are laws that apply to bicyclists and how vehicles should be operate around them. Bicyclist Liability Everyone who rides a bike should follow the rules of the road. Wearing brightly colored clothing, keeping to...Read More - Pennsylvania Superior Court Rejects Unusual Non-Hire Clause
Jul 30, 2018
The Pennsylvania Superior Court recently rejected an uncommon type of non-hire clause between two competing trucking companies. The non-hire clause invalidated in Superior Court was an agreement between Pittsburgh-area firms, Pittsburgh Logistics Systems (PLS), Inc. and BeeMac Trucking, LLC, to not to hire each other’s employees. This type of clause is different from traditional non-compete clauses that prevent employees from working for an employer’s competitors after they leave their job. According to the decision, there...Read More - Risk of Electric Shock Around Swimming Pools
Jul 16, 2018
Millions of Americans spend the long days of summer swimming in their backyard or community swimming pool. However, there is a hidden danger in the water of which many people are unaware. Electric shock in water is virtually undetectable by swimmers, and it can be deadly. Common electrical devices like sump pumps, power washers, radios, and TV’s can fall or accidentally be pulled into pools. Improperly wired in-pool lighting could pose a serious threat. The...Read More