If you are not able to work as a result of an injury or illness that happened at work in San Gabriel, you may be qualified for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury happens, you may find yourself missing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be a very difficult and uncertain time.
Fortunately, 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 form of insurance that is purchased by a company to protect their workers from job-related injuries and illness. It offers a safety net 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 worker to handle all the repercussions that come with an injury.
Under the California Workers' Compensation Act, people who are hurt on the job can get various kinds of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury case, workers can qualify for benefits despite being at fault for a work-related accident. However, injured employees can not recover compensation for damages typically granted in a personal injury case.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
The top three leading causes of job-related injuries account for 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 task and becomes injured. This includes lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing.
Repetitive motion triggered by stress or strain on some part of the body is due to 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 among the most common on-the-job injuries. They account for 25% of yearly injury claims, 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 other structures.
Injuries from Contact with Equipment and Objects
Contact with equipment and objects refers to injuries that happen when an individual is struck by something or runs into something. This can include a worker being struck by a moving object, running into or being pushed in front of an object, being crushed in equipment, or being caught in wire or rope. It may 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 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 costs.
Job-related illnesses include diseases that arise from hazardous work environments or workplace exposures. Some typical illnesses that happen at work include:
Situations involving work-related illness are complicated for a few 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 any other factor like genetics or something that happened during your personal time. This is further complicated by the fact that several illnesses develop over time, which makes them more difficult to recognize and to pinpoint the origin.
What Should I Do If I Am Hurt at Work?
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 necessary even if an injury seems minor. This, because injuries that seem minor initially can become much more severe in the coming days or weeks.
For example, an injury that might feel like just 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.
Furthermore, you should always have a work-related injury examined by a doctor. This is the only way to figure out 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 cure the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Furthermore, to preserve the long-term ability of an employee to keep and carry on in their job.
Finally, waiting too long to report an injury on the job might seize your right to claim any workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Consult with a San Gabriel Workplace Injury Lawyer?
Consequently, if sustain an on-the-job injury in San Gabriel, get in touch with the San Gabriel personal injury lawyers at Tim D. Wright. Do not go through these tough times alone. We are here to assist you with your case. We know the causes and effects of work accidents and injuries. Additionally, 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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