If you are not able to work as a result of an injury or illness that took place at work in Montebello, you may be qualified for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury occurs, you may find yourself losing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be an extremely stressful 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 an employer to protect their employees from job-related injuries and illness. It provides a safeguard for injured employees to ensure 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 deal with all the repercussions that come with an injury.
Under the California Workers' Compensation Act, individuals who are injured at work can receive 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 job-related incident. However, injured employees can not recover compensation for damages normally granted 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 professions and industries, such as:
But the fact is, accidents can occur even in fairly tame work environments.
For instance, even an office worker can be hurt on the job. Sitting at a computer all day can create injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or vision issues. 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 result in further more serious injuries down the line.
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 becomes 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 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 among the most common on-the-job injuries. They account for 25% of annual injury claims, 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 other structures.
Injuries from Contact with Equipment and Objects
Contact with equipment and objects refers to injuries that happen when a worker is hit 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 cable or rope. It might also include incidents like a worker being struck or crushed by collapsing structures, equipment, or materials.
Workers' Compensation Can Also Cover Occupational Illnesses
In addition to being injured, employees can also get sick with an illness because of their job. When this happens, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the costs.
Occupational illnesses include diseases that arise from dangerous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that happen on the job include:
Situations involving job-related illness are complicated for a few 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 even more complicated by the fact that a lot of illnesses develop gradually, which makes them harder to notice and to identify the origin.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured on the job?
If you become injured in the course of your employment, you need to always report the accident, injury, or condition as soon as possible to your employer. This is important even if an injury appears minor. This, because injuries that seem minor initially can become much more severe in the coming days or weeks.
For instance, an injury that might feel like just a strained muscle can turn out to be a symptom of long-term 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 work-related injury assessed by a medical professional. This is the only way to figure out the extent of your injury, and what can be done to recuperate. This is especially important for stress or repetitive motion injuries. In this case, making changes in the ergonomic environment may not only cure the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Furthermore, to protect the long-term ability of an employee to maintain and continue in their job.
Finally, waiting too long to report an injury at work may seize your right to claim any kind of workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Consult With a Montebello Workers' Compensation Lawyer?
Consequently, if you suffer an on-the-job injury in Montebello, speak to the Montebello personal injury lawyers at Mendez & Sanchez. Don't go through these hard times alone. We are here to assist you with your claim. We know the causes and impacts of work 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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