GATHERING INFORMATION

You may be searching for the answers to the many questions you have regarding the work incident that fatally injured your loved one.  Below are a few agencies that may have completed investigations that could possess information that may answer your questions.
Please contact USMWF if you have any questions and/or need any assistance.

The Department of Labor

Occupational Safety Health Administration; and Mine Safety and Health Administration;

'Freedom Of Information Act'- is a formal document requesting said documents from Federal Government.
USMWF's FOIA Request Example.

Occupational Safety and Health

All open records should be requested in your name, for your relative (loss), if you know the inspection number request it and if not it and if not let them know the employer, date of death and location. Most open records will have limitations however you should still request everything you may want such as: photo's, notes, police and fire reports. When making the request ask for them on disk otherwise you may be charged for documents.  If you have been given the citations and penalties that is is not the full report.

*OSHA To Know your Rights
*File a compliant if:

1. If you think your job is unsafe and you want to ask for an inspection, contact OSHA.
2. If you have been fired, demoted, transferred or discriminated against in any way for using your rights under the law, you must file a complaint with OSHA within 30 days of the alleged discrimination.

*This U.S. Map, you can then click the area region you are in.
*To Download and Fax/Mail a complaint in English or in Spanish.
*To file a complaint via Telephone call 1-800-321-OSHA
*OSHA Field Office Manual

Mine Safety and Health

MSHA Know Your Rights

• To file MSHA complaint via phone 1-800-746-1553
• To file MSHA complaint Online.

​The Wage & Hour Division

I​f you have issues with minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, child labor, special employment, family and medical leave, migrant workers, lie detector tests, worker protections in some temporary worker programs, and the prevailing wages for government service and construction contracts wage and hour is who you should be in contact with.

*Wage and Hour Know Your Rights.

 Wage & Hour is a little different. They have no direct links to turn in every complaint. You will have to contact the area office for direction. You will then need to explain the nature of the issue so they may deferrer you to the right department. It is possible that you will need to work with more than one individual depending on the laws that have been violated but they will connect you with the needed offices.

*To find initial Contact.

​Environmental Protection Agency

​Chemical emergencies may include train derailments, truck accidents, and incidents at chemical plants where there is a chemical release or threat of a release to the environment.  The do not have to be as blatant but seem like everyday business such as tank cleaning, water disposal and air quality.

• EPA via phone 703-284-8214.
• EPA Online.

Workers Compensation

​Workers Compensation is so diverse. The statutory waiting periods, coverage requirements, maximum temporary total disability benefits, compensation rates, and maximum benefit durations will depend on the state you live in and possible whether or not you company is self insured.

• We suggest you retain an attorney. If we do not have one listed feel free to contact us and we will be happy to find someone for you.
• The Workers Comp Hub has a listing of all states and their information.

​Contact with The Press, Government Officials and Other Entities.

Writing Letters and Making Contact.

• Find out who your Representatives are.
• Use your own account when possible because you know it best. Only you know what it has done and how it has made you and your family feel.
• State only facts correct...do not guess or assume anything.
• Have a good example of why the issue is so important and what change it could make.
• Have an ask and follow up..
• Have family and friends to write and call after you send our your request.
• Example Support Letter.
• Always Thank & Follow-up with any office or entity for meeting with you.
• Let a new office appointee or elected official know about your Efforts.
• Contacting Press is a great idea for news and statements. A Press Advisory lets them know about upcoming events.
• A News Release lets others know of news that has already occurred and what you think.
• When you lost your loved one there may have been someone in the press who wrote about your loss, many times they like doing follow-ups. So contact them when there are new developments or when there is another loss in the same facility or the same type.
• Writing to Government Officials in support of a policy, regulation or act is a great opportunity to express your concerns and to inform them about issues at hand.
• This interactive map gives you Contact Information for all of the Senators and Representatives in the United States Congress in one centralized, easy-to-use visual format. Click on your state on the map or on your postal code abbreviation in the alphabetical list below. You’ll then see the names, pictures, fax numbers, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for all of the members of the U.S. Congress in your state.
• If you have any pending lawsuit, it is always important to speak to your legal representative prior to speaking to anyone regarding your loved one's incident.