If you are unable to work due to an injury or illness that occurred at work in San Fernando, you might be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury occurs, you might find yourself losing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be a very stressful and uncertain time.
Fortunately, California law protects workers from negative fallout related to job injuries by requiring employers 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 employees from job-related injuries and illness. It offers a safeguard for injured employees so that they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recuperate from an injury. Some jobs can be hazardous, and it should not be the responsibility of the employee to deal with all the repercussions that come with an injury.
Under the California Workers' Compensation Act, people that are injured at work can get various types of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury case, workers can qualify for benefits regardless of being at fault for a job-related incident. However, injured workers can not recover compensation for damages typically awarded in a personal injury lawsuit.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
The top three leading causes of work-related injuries account for more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries at work. This includes:
Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Overexertion injuries can occur when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a task and gets hurt. 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 a production line.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most frequent on-the-job injuries. They represent 25% of yearly injury cases, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls on the job 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 runs into something. This can include a worker being hit 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 may also include accidents like a worker being struck or crushed by collapsing structures, equipment, or materials.
Workers' Compensation May Also Cover Occupational Illnesses
In addition to being injured, workers can also get sick with an illness due to their job. When this occurs, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the expenses.
Job-related illnesses include diseases that develop from hazardous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that occur on the job include:
Cases involving job-related illness are complicated for a few different factors. One of the main reasons is that you will have to prove that your illness was caused by your job, and not from any other factor like genetics or something that occurred during your personal time. This is further complicated by the fact that a lot of illnesses develop over time, which makes them more difficult to recognize and to identify the origin.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured on the job?
If you become injured during your employment, you should always report the incident, injury, or condition as soon as possible to your employer. This is essential even if an injury appears minor. This, because injuries that appear minor at first can become much more serious in the coming days or weeks.
For example, an injury that may feel like just a strained muscle can turn out to be a sign of long-term nerve damage. Or a sore lower back from lifting a heavy object could be a disc herniation that needs surgery.
Additionally, you should always have a job-related injury assessed by a medical professional. This is the only way to learn the extent of your injury, and what can be done to recuperate. This is especially important for stress or repetitive motion injuries. Here, making changes in the ergonomic environment might not only cure the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Furthermore, to preserve the long-term ability of an employee to maintain and carry on in their job.
Lastly, waiting too long to report an injury on the job might seize your right to claim any workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Get In Touch with a San Fernando Workers' Compensation Lawyer?
Consequently, if you suffer an on-the-job injury in San Fernando, speak to the San Fernando personal injury attorneys at Tim D. Wright. Do not go through these difficult times on your own. We are here to assist you with your case. We understand the causes and impacts of job accidents and injuries. Also, we understand the laws and regulations associated with workers' compensation in California and will work to maximize the compensation you receive.
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