Logo
  • Home
  • Press Releases

Mom was right, should we all jump off the Brooklyn Bridge just ’cause Texas did?

06/22/2013 // Hartford, CT, USA // cttriallawyers // Howard Schiller // (press release)

What many of you may not know is that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and employer groups got Texas to agree to be an “opt-out” state. This means employers can choose to opt out of the state workers compensation system should they choose. In such a situation the injured worker has the right to sue the employer in civil court and go after civil damages. After an accident (according to practitioners in Texas) most employers demand an injured worker sign a waiver of the right to civil damages in exchange for the employer picking up the medical bills as the injured worker has no way to pay for the medical bills while waiting to go to court.

Well, the plant in West, Texas which had a massive explosion leaving many killed, injured or homeless only had a $1 million dollar insurance policy and it looks like the employer/plant will file bankruptcy to avoid all damages and responsibility over the $1 million policy.

These are the things we have to remind our state legislatures of when they insist that industries be deregulated, regulations be relaxed or that states adopt a similar “opt-out” program. I doubt the injured workers in Texas will get full compensation. Even if the injured workers refuse to sign a waiver and instead go after the employer with other liability creditors, with a million-dollar policy their recovery will be minimal.

Talk about employer incentives to not follow or comply with safety rules!! Loosen the rules on safety, tell them they do not have to comply with all the alleged “red tape” of other states and then legally limit their liability in the case of a catastrophic event. After the event it was disclosed that the plant was only supposed to have 400 pounds of ammonium nitrate on site when it reportedly had over 60,000 pounds! There had not been an inspection in years. The chemicals were in a wooden building without sprinklers. There is no fire code in the county to assure proper storage. Yes, let’s deregulate some more and trust those that handle dangerous chemicals to do so responsibly.

Who ends up paying for this tragedy? The 15 first responders and workers killed, the more than 200 injured, their families, the town of West, Texas and taxpayers. The costs for employers’ failure to comply with safety rules are going to be borne by the ones least able to afford it and least culpable for the actions of the plant’s owners — while the very same owners walk away with their lives unharmed and unchanged.

Meanwhile, how many children will be going to bed tonight without their father or mother because of the explosion?

How many children are going to bed tonight not in their own room or bed because the explosion rendered the home uninhabitable or destroyed?

Nice system you got there, Texas.

Now Texas’ Gov. Perry is touring Connecticut extolling the virtues of the Texas system of laissez faire government and urging businesses to relocate their enterprises to Texas. I fervently hope our manufacturers are responsible and resist the siren’s call. Governmental regulations protect workers, businesses and the public.

Connecticut has a more comprehensive system for injured workers, but our employers are being challenged by Texas and other states to move there or change the system to compete. Connecticut has seen recent tragedy. Many first responders lack resources to help them cope with what they faced in Newtown because Connecticut eliminated coverage for “mental” injuries. Now we hear gun manufacturers are considering a move to Texas because we have gun control. The NRA decries any regulations. Connecticut must continue to move in the direction of safety for its citizens and require its manufacturers and employers to be responsible for the consequences of their activities. We must resist calls from business interests concerned only with the bottom line that we limit their responsibility and pass on consequences to workers, taxpayers and innocent victims.

It is time we stop the race to the bottom on safety and the rights of those injured. I got in trouble as a kid, and like most kids, I would use my friend as an excuse for my actions by stating, “well Johnny did it too.” My mom being older, wiser and a typical loving parent (plus a tough streetwise New Yorker) would respond by saying, “Well if Johnny jumped off the Brooklyn bridge, would you?”

It is time that legislators stop jumping off the bridge just because others will reduce safety regulations and limit the liability of wrongdoers at any cost to attract businesses. Enough is enough — do not jump off the Brooklyn Bridge just because Texas did.

Mom was right all along.

Provided to the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association by Howard Schiller, Attorney at Law.

Media Information:

Address: 150 Trumbull Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: 860 522-4345
Url: http://ctlablog.org/mom-was-right-should-we-all-jump-off-the-brooklyn-bridge-just-cause-texas-did_9536.html

It's only fair to share...Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print
Tags: civil damages, employer groups, employer incentives, injured workers, Social Responsibility
June 22, 2013   vision
Law civil damages, employer groups, employer incentives, injured workers, Social Responsibility
×

  • Dallas Auto Accident Attorney Asks: Airbags Save Lives, Right?
  • Lizzy G’s Fine Gifts Celebrates American-Made in July
Categories
  • Arabic PR
  • Art
  • Auto News
  • aviation news
  • Bollywood News
  • BP OIL Spill News
  • Business
  • California
  • Call Center News
  • Copyright Law
  • Dallas News
  • e-commerce
  • Education
  • Electronics
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment
  • Family law
  • Fashion
  • Food & Beverage
  • golf news
  • Green
  • Health & Fitness
  • Hollywood News
  • home decor
  • insurance
  • iPhoneNews
  • Law
  • Media News
  • Medical News
  • Mesothelioma Asbestos
  • military-news
  • Money & Finance
  • music news
  • new york
  • New York City
  • News
  • Noticias en español
  • Opinions
  • Personal Finance
  • Personal Injury Law News
  • Press Releases
  • Real Estate
  • Religious News
  • Restaurant Reviews
  • Social Media News
  • Social Responsibility
  • South Florida News
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Top Stories
  • travel
  • UK Press Release
  • US Presidential News
  • VoIP News
  • Weather
  • Web Technology
  • Weddings
  • whistleblower
  • World News
Recent Posts

Find latest market data of China’s fine chemicals from Echemi’s Market Price?Insight

April 14, 2021, Comments Off on Find latest market data of China’s fine chemicals from Echemi’s Market Price?Insight

Ladakh Tour, a Reputed Travel Agency in Leh Announces Launch of New Website

April 14, 2021, Comments Off on Ladakh Tour, a Reputed Travel Agency in Leh Announces Launch of New Website

Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce Honors Local Entrepreneur Zainab Ansell

April 12, 2021, Comments Off on Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce Honors Local Entrepreneur Zainab Ansell
Tags
asbestos Business California cancer clean air solutions clouse dunn khoshbin Dallas dallas employment death economy Education employment law attorney Employment Lawyer employment lawyers facebook Florida google government Health Hollywood insurance jonathan c reiter Lawsuit lawyer marketing Los Angeles marketing mesothelioma mortgage new york New York City nfm lending Obama Parcel2Go president Real Estate recession Search Engine Optimization SEO social media study Texas texas employment Twitter U.S. Washington
News Tags >>

  • Our News on Google News
  • Yahoo News
  • Writing a Press Release
  • Press Release Distribution Services
  • A Sample Press Release Template
  • Social Media News Distribution
  • Search Engine Optimized Press Release
  • Online News Distribution Benefits
  • Dallas News
  • Latest Press Releases
  • Lawyer Press Release Service
  • News on Major online news sites
  • Press Release Service WiredPRNew.com
Copyright © 2021 WiredPRNews.com