You most often hear about occupational injuries, but some illnesses also result from workplace conditions. Many of these illnesses have lasting effects, including preventing you from holding gainful employment in the future. The American Academy of Family Physicians explains some of the more common occupational illnesses and the effects they cause. No matter the cause, limiting ill-effects requires timely medical…
Realizing you are no longer capable of going about daily life without assistance is often painful. Resistance to gaining that help by relocating into a facility is an understandable and common reaction. After all, the prospect of leaving your home for a place filled with strangers and regulated by others’ rules is hardly a pleasing one to every soul. Luckily,…
Having an estate plan means that you are prepared. With a will or trust in place, you made the crucial decision as to what becomes of your estate after you die or are incapacitated. However, you must remember that an estate plan should get regular attention. It is important to review it and update your estate plan every three to…
When a worker suffers a fatal injury or illness at work, the stress from the loss of that income can add to the weight of the emotional pain the family experiences. Fortunately, the system that would have paid for the medical expenses if the worker had survived — workers’ compensation — may also provide assistance for the surviving family members.…
Most people understand that protecting assets and deciding how to distribute wealth is an important part of estate planning. However, fewer people think about healthcare issues when planning for the future. An advance healthcare directive is another important aspect of estate planning, and it covers what happens if an individual is unable to make health- or medical-related decisions. Types of…
If you suffer an injury while on the job, you will usually have the right to make a claim to workers’ compensation. The system can be quite complex and difficult to understand if you are unfamiliar with it. The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board explains that it all begins when you make your claim and inform your employer, which…
Imagine you visit your father on a regular basis. You have no concerns and all is well. Until something changes. You notice that his medication bottles go unopened or maybe they empty far too quickly. Perhaps he forgets your name or calls you by the name of a sibling. You notice that his hygiene has declined because he forgets to…
Office workers may not realize they are at risk for work injuries just like any other profession. The reason is the risks are quite different than those in a more physical occupation or one where work requires equipment and factory machinery. If you work in an office, your concerns are more for injuries that develop over time. Strain on your…
When you sustain an injury while you are working, you may assume that workers’ compensation will cover your medical expenses. After all, most companies in New York must carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover injured employee claims. If your employer says that it does not have to cover you because you are an independent contractor, you may need to assess…
Getting hurt at work means you can file a claim with your employer to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Most of the time, with the right information, you can get financial assistance as you recover and transition back into your job. Under some circumstances however, your employer can challenge your claim leaving you fighting for your rights. When you know what…
Medicaid is a health care program that provides help to a wide range of people with low incomes and limited financial resources. Established in 1965, Medicaid is jointly run by state and federal governments and provides benefits for health care and long-term care needs. Eligibility is based on a person’s income, not age or disability as the Medicare program. In…
If your spouse needs nursing home care but you do not, you may have questions about how this will affect your finances. With nursing home care ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 a month, you may have concerns about how you will afford care for your spouse. In certain situations, your spouse can still qualify for Medicaid, even if you continue…
