If you are unable to work because of an injury or illness that took place on the job in North Hollywood, you might be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury occurs, you may find yourself missing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be an extremely difficult and uncertain time.
Fortunately, California law protects workers from negative fallout related to job 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 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 handle all the repercussions that come with an injury.
Under the California Workers' Compensation Act, people that are hurt on the job can get different types of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury claim, workers can qualify for benefits despite being at fault for a work-related incident. However, injured workers can not recover compensation for damages normally granted in a personal injury lawsuit.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
The top three leading causes of work-related injuries make up more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries on the job. This includes:
Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Overexertion injuries can happen when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a job 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 task. 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 account for 25% of annual injury cases, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls at work involve 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 occur 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 wire or rope. It may also include accidents like an employee being struck or crushed by collapsing structures, equipment, or materials.
Workers' Compensation May Also Cover Occupational Illnesses
Along with being injured, employees 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 expenses.
Job-related illnesses include diseases that develop from hazardous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that occur at work include:
Cases involving job-related illness are complicated for a number of different reasons. One of the main reasons is that you will have to prove that your illness was caused by your job, and not from some other factor like genetics or something that occurred during your personal time. This is even more complicated by the fact that many illnesses develop gradually, which makes them harder to recognize and to pinpoint the origin.
What Should I Do If I Am Hurt On the Job?
If you get injured in the course of your employment, you should always report the accident, injury, or condition as soon as possible to your employer. This is essential even if an injury appears minor. This, because injuries that seem minor at first can end up being much more serious in the coming days or weeks.
For instance, an injury that might seem like just a strained muscle can end up being a symptom of permanent nerve damage. Or a sore low 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 recover. This is particularly important for stress or repetitive motion injuries. Here, making changes in the ergonomic environment may not only treat the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Further, to preserve the long-term ability of a worker to keep and carry on in his or her job.
Finally, waiting too long to report an injury at work might foreclose your right to claim any kind of workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Consult With a North Hollywood Workers' Compensation Attorney?
Consequently, if you’ve suffered an on-the-job injury in North Hollywood, speak to the North Hollywood personal injury attorneys at Tim D. Wright. Don't go through these difficult times on your own. We are here to help you with your claim. We know the causes and impacts of job accidents and injuries. Also, we understand the laws and regulations related to workers' compensation in California and will work to maximize the compensation you receive.
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