Redding Workers’ Compensation Law Blog

Nursing can be a very dangerous industry to work in. Nurses spend every day working with sick and injured patients, and this can sometimes create a dangerous environment. They need to be wary of the injury risks. It’s impossible to predict all of the different ways people can be hurt on the job, but you can look at overall trends and statistics to find out what happens most often. Below are a few examples of the common injuries that nurses suffer every year in the United States. Overexertion Injuries These often happen when nurses are asked to lift patients or help move them. Patients may weigh more than the nurses themselves, but there’s no way to provide care without helping them move...

In many cases, an injury at work is something that takes place all at once. A worker is completely healthy, for instance, and then they suffer a head injury in a fall. They get rushed to the hospital and it’s clear that they’ve been injured that very day. However, there are a lot of workplace injuries that are a bit more cumulative in nature. The effects build up over time. This doesn’t make them less serious, but it does sometimes cause workers to overlook the issues. They simply don’t realize that they’re being harmed in the same way. One example of this is hearing loss. A Permanent Issue One potential problem with work-related hearing loss is that there’s often nothing...

It is estimated that more than 2,000 workers in the U.S. injure their eyes so severely on the job that they require medical treatment. Unfortunately, eye injuries are not only somewhat common, but they can also be serious and lead to lifelong issues. Learn more about work-caused eye injuries here. Workplace Eye Injuries There are two main causes of work-caused eye injuries. One is because workers fail to wear eye protection, and the other is if they wear the wrong type of protection for their work. When this happens, their eyes are at risk of being burned, penetrated, struck or scraped. Employers and managers must take an active role in ensuring workers wear the proper eye protection. Some of the available...

If you suffer injury or illness at work, you probably know you can claim workers’ compensation. Most California employers must hold it, and as it is no-fault insurance should cover most cases. What you might not know is what workers’ compensation covers. Is it just your medical bills? Or more? Here is what workers’ compensation could cover in California: 1. Medical Treatment Depending on the extent of the injury or illness, you could require considerable medical treatment, as well as rehabilitation. The cost of ongoing medical care can be costly, and you might require care for a considerable amount of time. 2. Lost Wages Because You Cannot Work Temporary disability benefits cover wages lost while you are off work recovering. Permanent...

Some California workers’ compensation claims are quick and straightforward. The employee has an obvious injury that directly relates to the job that they do, and their employer acknowledges that they need support. The worker will apply for and receive benefits, and they can trust that their employer will accommodate their work restrictions as they transition back to their job. Other times, the employer might try to fight the worker. They may question whether the injury is serious enough to warrant accommodations and benefits and may even claim that the worker didn’t incur their injury on the job. Workers have the right to keep pushing for benefits, but such situations can become complicated very quickly. In a situation where there is...

Back pain is a very common health issue that affects people from all backgrounds and professions. Certain professions do have higher risks. If you work in health care, for example, you have roughly a 70% chance of developing back issues. Anyone who lifts or twists on the job could suffer a serious back injury. Despite their prevalence and how much they can affect someone’s quality of life and ability to work, back injuries are among the medical issues people are most likely to ignore or downplay at first. A surprising number of adults try to continue working when they have intense back pain on the job and may put off getting medical care. Doing so could be a major mistake. Back Issues...

If you are injured at work and make a claim to obtain workers’ compensation, there is a chance that you will need to see a medical professional for a qualified medical evaluation. This evaluation can be requested when your claim is denied or delayed and you’d like a medical evaluation to determine if the claim should be payable. Additionally, you can ask for the evaluation by a qualified medical evaluator, or QME, if you disagree with your current treating physician’s thoughts on your condition or if you want to find out if you are permanently disabled and may need future medical treatment. In California, you are able to see a  list of QMEs to choose from, so you can select someone...

You do a lot of manual labor, which means that you’re frequently exposed to working conditions and jobs that put you at risk of various injuries – and, one day, your luck runs out. You get hurt. Your boss, however, tells you that you’ll just have to go home and rest until you heal because you aren’t entitled to any benefits under workers’ compensation since you’re “just a seasonal or temporary” worker. On top of that, you’re an immigrant without documentation. Don’t Listen To Your Employer’s Attempts To Hide The Truth Immigrants are an important part of California’s labor force. The law recognizes that by making discrimination against injured workers illegal – regardless of whether they have legal documents or not. In...

Some workers’ compensation claims are straightforward. It is obvious how the employee got hurt and what benefits they require. Other times, claims can cause lengthy disputes between workers and their employers. When there are disagreements about the right treatments, the restrictions on a worker’s job performance or even if their injury is the result of their work, the worker and their employer may require the help of a qualified medical evaluator (QME) to resolve the disagreement. Can you go to your primary care physician and ask them to act as a QME for your claim? Doctors Must Apply To Become QMEs Workers who need medical care after suffering an injury at work can sometimes seek care from their own physicians....

When you are hurt at work, you might be inclined to believe you will automatically receive the financial restitution you need to recover from your injuries and pay for the other damages. After all, workers’ compensation claims are meant for just that, taking care of injured workers. However, it helps to understand that multiple factors come into play when determining the compensation you will receive following your workplace injury. Some of these factors include the extent of your injury as well as the nature of treatment you will need. Here are two questions that can help you negotiate a better settlement for your workers’ compensation. Are Your Injuries Permanent Or Temporary? Workers’ compensation settlements can be awarded in lump sums or...

When you’re hurt on the job, the one thing you hope will be true is that your employer will take responsibility and you will get your claim approved for workers’ compensation. Unfortunately, that is not always how things work, and it’s possible that your claim could be denied. There are many reasons why your claim might be denied ranging from not including enough information to missing important deadlines. Here are the five most common reasons and what to do next. 1. You Didn’t File In Time. The first reason that you might have a claim denied is if you didn’t file the claim soon enough. To avoid this, let your employer know as soon as you can after your injury....

When people think about workplace injuries, they often consider catastrophic events, like someone falling off of a 10-foot ladder to the concrete floor below. But things don’t have to be this traumatic for you to suffer serious complications. For instance, despite the popularity of standing desks and the need for many workers to be on their feet, it’s been found that standing can take a serious physical toll on your body. This isn’t to say that sitting is necessarily better, as it has been linked to obesity and plenty of other health issues, but it’s important to know that simply being at work all day may be causing your body to wear down. What Problems Can It Cause? There many...

Most people associate job-related wrist, hand and arm pain with carpal tunnel syndrome, especially if their work involves repetitive movements. While carpal tunnel is a legitimate workplace injury, it is not the only form of continuous trauma that affects the arm and hand. When you believe your pain is carpal tunnel syndrome, you may choose to treat it yourself, at least for a while, with Tylenol or ibuprofen. Unfortunately, if your condition is not carpal tunnel, you risk it worsening to the point that it impacts your work and lifestyle. Wrist Tendonitis Many people confuse tendonitis of the wrist with carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms of these conditions are similar, but they are two different continuous trauma injuries. Pain on the bottom...

After you got hurt on the job, you thought that you’d be able to make a claim and get the financial support that you needed. You were surprised when your workers’ compensation claim was denied, leaving you with no support at all. After a claim is denied, it’s important for you to know that you can appeal that decision. There are a number of reasons that a claim might be denied, but you have a right to appeal the denial of your claim by requesting a hearing with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. What Happens When You Appeal A Denied Workers’ Compensation Claim? If you appeal a denied claim, you will have your case heard by a workers’ compensation administrative law...

If you are applying for California workers’ compensation benefits, you could face opposition from the claims administrator about the severity or cause of your workplace injury. They might even question whether the illness or injury was employment-related at all. These, and more, questions could give rise to the need for a qualified medical evaluator (QME) on your case. Below is some important information to understand about the role of a QME in workers’ comp cases. Are QMEs On Your Side? At best, they will be neutral. These medical professionals, certified by the Division of Workers’ Compensation Medical Unit, perform legal and medical evaluations of claimants. They become involved when your doctor’s assessment of your condition gets called into question, and they may include:...

Every workplace has its share of hazards. But do you know the hazards that are specific to your workplace? Understanding potential hazards in your workplace can help you take appropriate steps to mitigate or eliminate them and prevent costly injuries and property damages down the road. Compensation resulting from workplace-related injuries costs organizations millions of dollars each year. This underpins the importance of putting structures in place to eliminate workplace injuries. With that said, here are three common reasons why workplace accidents, and injuries, happen. Overexertion And Fatigue Physically demanding tasks become hazardous when they are performed for a long time. Employees who do not take breaks from physically demanding jobs like lifting, pulling, bending, kneeling and pushing are likely to sustain...

When you’re injured on the job, your focus should be on your health and wellness. If you are hurt, you shouldn’t have to worry about filing a claim or having it be denied. For many people, it’s beneficial to work with a workers’ compensation attorney from the start of a case. The reason for this is because working with a workers’ compensation attorney increases your chances of getting the benefits you deserve. If your claim is denied, they can help you fight to have it approved. Some of the helpful things that workers’ compensation attorneys do include: Recommending qualified doctors or medical personnel for second opinions or expert opinions Supporting you during hearings Negotiation on your behalf Helping you build a case...

California requires employers to hold workers’ compensation insurance. It requires them to cover their employees, regardless of the hours they work for the company. So, if you work part-time, you should be covered. Yet what if you work for more than one job? What then? Workers’ compensation is particular to the company itself. So if injured while working for employer A, you claim against employer A’s insurance. If injured while working for employer B, you claim under their insurance. What If My Employer Tries To Say My Injury Or Illness Occurred At The Other Place Of Work? Employers or their insurers sometimes contest claims by saying a worker’s injuries or illnesses occurred elsewhere. It is easier for them to do so when...

Having your workers’ compensation claim denied can be a harrowing experience. It means that you will have to meet the costs of your medical treatment, and if you are unable to continue working, you will have no source of livelihood. Your financial security may be on the line. Given that you can appeal the denial, it is important to know what to expect in the process. It will increase your chances of a desirable outcome and, most likely, overturn the decision to deny your claim. Here is what you need to know. Understand The Reason For Denial Before setting out, you need to know why your claim was denied. Usually, it is indicated in the denial letter. Once you have...

Workers’ compensation offers both temporary and permanent benefits if someone cannot work because of a job-acquired medical condition. Broken bones are often injuries that people recover from quickly. After two or three months, the bone will heal, and another month of physical therapy and careful use can help regain full functionality in the affected body part. However, occasionally a worker who breaks a bone may need long-term or permanent benefits because of the fracture. When might a broken bone lead to lasting disability? When The Body Heals Improperly Sometimes, trauma like a fracture can cause lasting damage to nearby nerves tissue. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful condition that people develop sometimes after breaking a bone. Instead of recovering from...

A workplace injury can turn your life upside down, end your career or even result in death. If you or someone you love has been hurt at work, you may be entitled to benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation program. However, workers’ compensation benefits are never a given. Failure to comply with the workers’ compensation terms and requirements can result in the dismissal of your claim. Here are three common mistakes that can hurt your workers’ compensation claim. Failing To Report Your Injury And File Your Claim In Time According to California statute, a worker has 30 days effective from the date of the injury to notify the worker of the incident. Typically, the employer will advise you to file...

California is a very big state with millions of residents and thousands of medical practitioners. Thankfully, the size of the state and its population means a well-structured and funded workers’ compensation program. Unfortunately, the large size of the state can create challenges for those handling a complex workers’ compensation claim. Claimants May Need To Travel When someone working in California gets hurt on the job or diagnosed with a work-related illness, they will usually file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. In scenarios where there is a disagreement about the treatment a worker requires, they may need to see a qualified medical examiner (QME). If their employer tries to claim that they didn’t get hurt at work, a worker may...

Spinal cord injuries are rare, but workers do suffer them on the job occasionally. Someone who drives as part of their job or who operates heavy machinery may have more risk of a spinal cord injury. Those who work at an elevation, such as window washers or tree removal professionals, could also hurt their spines if they fall on the job. Spinal cord injuries account for some of the most expensive workers’ compensation claims. Workers will likely require trauma care and physical therapy, if not surgery and prosthetic devices to help them recover after a spinal cord injury. They may also need months off of work or may never be able to work the same kind of profession again. Is...

Whether you work in an office, a restaurant or a factory, you have to perform certain physical functions to do your job every day. The longer you keep working in the same industry, the more likely it is that your job responsibilities will eventually damage your body. Constantly needing to twist, bend, grip or lift will cause small amounts of trauma. Spread out over many years, your minor discomfort from work could turn into serious pain and functional limitations. Can you count on workers’ compensation if doing the same job has become painful? Pain From Repetitive Use May Qualify You For Benefits If you have shooting pains in your forearms when you type or spasms in your back when you...