If you are not able to work as a result of an injury or illness that occurred at work in Monterey Park, you may be qualified for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury happens, 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. Thankfully, 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 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 workers to ensure they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recuperate from an injury. Some jobs can be hazardous, and it shouldn't be the responsibility of the worker to manage all the consequences that come with an injury.
Under the California Workers' Compensation Act, individuals who are hurt at work can get different types of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury claim, workers can receive benefits despite being at fault for a work-related incident. However, injured workers can not recover compensation for damages typically awarded in a personal injury case.
Have You Been Hurt on the Job?
Accidents and injuries occur everywhere, even on the job. This is especially true in certain occupations and industries. 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 the time can create injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or vision problems. Or there could be a slippery floor or a staircase that may cause a fall. If these injuries go without proper medical attention, they can result in further more severe injuries down the road.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
The top three leading causes of job-related injuries make up more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries on the job. This includes:
Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Overexertion injuries can occur when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a job 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 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 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 annual injury cases, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls on the job 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 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' Comp Can Also Cover Occupational Illnesses
In addition to being injured, 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 expenses.
Occupational illnesses include diseases that arise from hazardous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that occur on the job include:
Cases involving job-related illness are complex 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 even more complicated by the fact that many illnesses develop over time, which makes them more difficult to recognize and to determine the origin.
What Should I Do if I am Injured on the job?
If you get injured during your employment, you should always report the accident, injury, or illness as soon as possible to your employer. This is essential even if an injury appears minor. This, because injuries that appear minor in the beginning can end up being much more severe in the coming days or weeks.
For example, 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 examined 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 especially 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. Further, to protect the long-term ability of an employee to keep and continue in his or her job.
Finally, waiting too long to report an injury on the job might seize your right to claim any kind of workers' compensation benefits.
Should You Get in Touch with a Monterey Park Workplace Injury Attorney?
Consequently, if sustain an on-the-job injury in Monterey Park, contact the Monterey Park personal injury attorneys at Mendez & Sanchez. Don't go through these difficult times alone. We are here to assist you with your case. We know the causes and effects of work accidents and injuries. Also, we know 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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