If you are unable to work due to an injury or illness that happened on the job in Los Angeles, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury occurs, you might find yourself missing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be an extremely 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 offers a safety net for injured workers so that they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recuperate from an injury. Some jobs can be dangerous, 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, individuals that are injured on the job can get different types of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury case, workers can receive benefits regardless of being at fault for a job-related accident. However, injured employees can not recover compensation for damages normally granted in a personal injury claim.
Have You Been Injured on the Job?
Accidents and injuries happen everywhere, even on the job. This is particularly true in certain professions and industries, such as:
But the truth is, accidents can occur even in relatively tame work environments.
For example, even an office worker can be injured on the job. Sitting at a computer all day can create 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 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 becomes hurt. This includes lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing.
Repetitive motion triggered 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 an assembly line.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common on-the-job injuries. They represent 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 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, running into or being pushed in front of an object, being crushed in equipment, or being caught in wire 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
In addition to being hurt, workers can also get sick with an illness due to their job. When this happens, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the costs.
Job-related illnesses include diseases that arise from dangerous work environments or workplace exposures. Some typical illnesses that happen at work include:
Situations involving work-related illness are complex for a number of different factors. 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 occurred during your personal time. This is further complicated by the fact that several illnesses develop over time, which makes them harder to recognize and to pinpoint the origin.
What Should I Do if I Am Hurt at Work?
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 essential even if an injury seems minor. This, because injuries that appear small in the beginning can become much more serious in the coming days or weeks.
For instance, an injury that may seem like only a strained muscle can end up being a symptom of permanent 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 evaluated by a doctor. This is the only way to find 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 may not only treat the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Further, to preserve the long-term ability of an employee to keep and carry on in his or her job.
Lastly, waiting too long to report an injury on the job may foreclose your right to claim any kind of workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Get In Touch With a Los Angeles Workers' Compensation Lawyer?
Consequently, if you suffer an on-the-job injury in Los Angeles, get in touch with the Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Mendez & Sanchez. Do not go through these difficult times alone. We are here to help 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 make the most of the compensation you receive.
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