Tips For a Safe Holiday Season in the Carolinas

Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

It is hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner!  In the next several weeks, we will be enjoying precious time with family, friends, and co-workers.  We will also be on the road in the dark more, hustling from school events, and holiday parties, and travelling to malls and outlets to do holiday shopping.  During this time of year, we might even get our first chilly blast of icy or snowy weather, turning the roads and highways into a frozen, scary adventure!  So, make sure that you give yourself enough time to travel safely, and watch out for drivers travelling too fast for the road and weather conditions.  Remember even four wheel drive isn’t very useful on a patch of sheer ice!  Also, if the weather is that bad -- ask yourself if you really do need to go out at that time – and just maybe that little bit of caution will keep you from causing, or getting into an accident.

If you are attending an office or family holiday party, always use a designated driver if you are going to be celebrating with a little too much holiday cheer.  Night time, slick roads and drinking and driving can be a potentially fatal combination.  If you are travelling at night, or on the weekends during the holiday season, please be cautious and remember that just because you are choosing to act safely and responsibly, others folks may not be acting in the same way, and are a hazard on the road due to their holiday intoxication.

If you get in an auto accident, or are injured on the job in North Carolina, or South Carolina during this holiday season or any time, Tippens & Zurosky is available to serve your auto accident and workers’ compensation needs.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.  Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you.

How Does a Drug Test Affect a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

They Did Inhale – How a Positive Drug Test Affects a Workers’ Compensation Claim

In North Carolina, a workers’ compensation case can be denied if the on the job injury was caused by being under the influence of an intoxicating substance.  However, there are several factors to consider when a worker has a positive drug test.  An injured worker’s case cannot be denied if that intoxicating substance was provided, or supplied by the employer, or his agent in a supervisory capacity to the employee.  A classic example of this would be attending a work function where it is expected and enforced that alcohol be consumed to entertain potential clients, or other business contacts, and the worker then gets hurt due to his company supplying alcohol.

The workers’ compensation insurance company, or self-insured company also has to show that the worker was intoxicated, which is not necessarily so cut and dry.  For example, a positive drug test for marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs does not indicate a level of impairment like an alcohol blood test does.  Marijuana and cocaine can stay in a person’s system for days, or weeks after the drug was used.  There is no level of “stonedness” that can be measured.

Additionally, the workers’ compensation insurance company, or self-insured company must show any intoxication proximately caused the work injury.  So, if there is a positive drug test for cocaine, and the worker is injured when an automobile driven by a unrelated third-party crashes into the work vehicle the worker is a passenger in – the workers’ compensation insurance company will have an extremely difficult time proving that any intoxication was the proximate cause of the work accident.  However, even in the set of facts above workers’ compensation benefits are often denied based on the drug test alone.  

If you have been injured on the job, and had your workers’ compensation case denied for a positive drug test, please reach out to our firm so we can put our years of experience to work for you.  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who can fight for your rights if you have been injured on the job, or in an automobile accident in North Carolina, or South Carolina.  Call us toll-free at 877-372-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Stay Safe & Avoid Accidents During Spring Brake

Spring Break…

Although this past winter was rather mild, we are all still looking forward to that first warm Spring day when we can get outside and enjoy a bit of the sun.  It is beginning to stay light longer, and people seem to be more interested in getting out and about to spend more time enjoying school, church, or social activities.  It is easy to become distracted as Spring fever hits full force, and perhaps we find ourselves enjoying the breeze from our open car window, or looking at that beautiful crepe myrtle and don’t pay attention to the car in front of us.  Make sure you are giving yourself plenty of following distance, and have your eyes on the road, and not what is going on in the fields, parking lots, or even the car next to you.

If you are attending a neighborhood block party, or work get together, make sure you are using a designated driver if you are going to be drinking.  Warmer weather and alcohol can be a potentially lethal combination as we stay out later, and possibly consume more than we should at social gatherings.  If you are on the road at night on the weekends during the Spring, you need to be aware that others might not be choosing to act responsibly, and take extra care on the road.

Likewise, if you decide to travel to the beach, or mountains with the kids for Spring Break from school, make sure you give yourself extra time, and are plenty rested before you start the drive.  Be aware of tractor trailers, and other commercial vehicles on the highways and byways with you, and keep your eyes open for distracted, or impaired drivers.  Remember Spring Break can be as hectic as it is fun and relaxing, so be sure to not let yourself be one of those distracted drivers.  

If you get in an auto accident, or are injured on the job in North Carolina, or South Carolina during this time, Tippens & Zurosky is available to serve your auto accident and workers’ compensation needs.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.  Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you. 

Holiday Driving Safety Tips

Tis the Season…

The holidays are full of hustle and bustle as we race around battling mall traffic, getting to school or church events, and attend holiday social gatherings. Sometimes during this time of year, we get our first taste of snow, or icy weather which makes travelling even more challenging! So, remember to take it slow on the roads, and be aware of other drivers who are looking for the store they need to buy that special gift at, and not at the road in front of them. Also, give yourself some extra time to get to where you are going, so you don’t find yourself rushing and cause an accident.

If you are attending a neighborhood, or work holiday party, make sure you are using a designated driver if you are going to be drinking. Dark, icy roads and alcohol can be a potentially lethal combination. If you are on the road at night on the weekends during the holidays, you need to be aware that others might not be choosing to act responsibly, and take extra care on the road.

If you get in an auto accident, or are injured on the job in North Carolina, or South Carolina during this joyous time, Tippens & Zurosky is available to serve your auto accident and workers’ compensation needs. Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years. Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury. Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you.

Auto Accidents, Holiday Distractions & Weather.

Tis the Season…

The holidays are full of hustle and bustle as we race around battling mall traffic, getting to school or church events, and attend holiday social gatherings.  Sometimes during this time of year, we get our first taste of snow, or icy weather which makes travelling even more challenging!  So, remember to take it slow on the roads, and be aware of other drivers who are looking for the store they need to buy that special gift at, and not at the road in front of them.  Also, give yourself some extra time to get to where you are going, so you don’t find yourself rushing and cause an accident.

If you are attending a neighborhood, or work holiday party, make sure you are using a designated driver if you are going to be drinking.  Dark, icy roads and alcohol can be a potentially lethal combination.  If you are on the road at night on the weekends during the holidays, you need to be aware that others might not be choosing to act responsibly, and take extra care on the road.

If you get in an auto accident, or are injured on the job in North Carolina, or South Carolina during this joyous time, Tippens & Zurosky is available to serve your auto accident and workers’ compensation needs.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.

Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you.