If you are unable to work as a result of an injury or illness that happened on the job in Glendale, you might be qualified for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury happens, you might find yourself missing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be a very stressful and uncertain time.
Thankfully, California law protects workers from negative fallout related to work injuries by requiring companies to carry workers compensation insurance.
What is Workers’ Compensation and How Does It Work?
Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that is purchased by a company to protect their workers from job-related injuries and illness. It provides a safety net for injured employees so that they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recover from an injury. Some jobs can be dangerous, and it shouldn't be the responsibility of the employee to manage all the repercussions that come with an injury.
Under the California Workers' Compensation Act, individuals that are injured on the job can receive different types of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury claim, workers can qualify for benefits regardless of being at fault for a job-related incident. However, injured workers can not recover compensation for damages normally awarded in a personal injury lawsuit.
Have You Been Injured at Work?
Accidents and injuries occur anywhere, even on the job. This is particularly true in certain careers and industries, such as:
But the truth is, accidents can happen even in fairly tame work environments.
For example, even an office worker can be hurt on the job. Sitting at a computer all the time can develop injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or vision problems. Or there could be a slippery floor or a staircase that can cause a fall. If these injuries go without proper medical attention, they can lead to further more severe injuries down the road.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
The top three leading causes of work-related injuries make up more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries at work. This includes:
Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Overexertion injuries can happen when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a job and gets injured. This includes lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing.
Repetitive motion caused by stress or strain on some part of the body is because of the repetitive nature of the job. Common repetitive tasks include lifting boxes, typing on a computer, using a ten-key machine, sitting for long hours, and working on an assembly line.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are among the most frequent on-the-job injuries. They make up 25% of annual injury cases, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls at work include falling from slippery floors, from tripping, and from heights like ladders, roofs, scaffolding, or various other structures.
Injuries from Contact with Equipment and Objects
Contact with equipment and objects refers to injuries that happen when a worker is struck by something or bumps into something. This can include a worker being struck by a moving object, bumping into or being pushed in front of an object, being crushed in equipment, or being caught in cable or rope. It might also include incidents like a worker being struck or crushed by collapsing structures, equipment, or materials.
Workers' Compensation May Also Cover Occupational Illnesses
Along with being hurt, workers can also get sick with an illness because of their job. When this occurs, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the costs.
Work-related illnesses include diseases that arise from hazardous work environments or workplace exposures. Some typical illnesses that happen on the job include:
Situations involving job-related illness are complicated for a number of different reasons. One of the main reasons is that you will need to prove that your illness was caused by your job, and not from any other factor like genetics or something that happened during your personal time. This is further complicated by the fact that a lot of illnesses develop gradually, which makes them more difficult to recognize and to pinpoint the origin.
What Should I Do if I Am Hurt on the Job?
If you become hurt during your employment, you should always report the incident, injury, or illness as soon as possible to your employer. This is important even if an injury seems minor. This, because injuries that seem small in the beginning can become much more serious in the coming days or weeks.
For example, an injury that may seem like only a strained muscle can end up being a sign of permanent nerve damage. Or a sore low back from lifting a heavy object could be a disc herniation that requires surgery.
Further, you should always have a work-related injury examined by a medical professional. This is the only way to learn the extent of your injury, and what can be done to recover. This is particularly important for stress or repetitive motion injuries. In this case, making changes in the ergonomic environment might not only treat the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Further, to protect the long-term ability of a worker to maintain and continue in their job.
Finally, waiting too long to report an injury on the job might foreclose your right to claim any workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Contact a Glendale Workers' Compensation Attorney?
Consequently, if suffer an on-the-job injury in Glendale, speak to the Glendale personal injury lawyers at Tim D. Wright. Do not go through these difficult times on your own. We are here to help you with your claim. We know the causes and effects of job accidents and injuries. Also, we know the laws and regulations related to workers' compensation in California and will work to make the most of the compensation you receive.
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