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Person is using computer, Workers’ Compensation Claim form on screen. - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: February 13, 2022

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…Read More

Focused person calculates travel expenses with calculator & notebook, surrounded by icons - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: January 26, 2022

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…Read More

A person in discomfort holds their lower back, red glow highlighting spinal pain. - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: January 21, 2022

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…Read More

A stressed person in a suit holds his head, pondering. He sat with a briefcase on his lap. - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: January 13, 2022

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…Read More

A workplace accident resulting in a severe amputation injury to a worker's leg - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: January 10, 2022

Putting an exact price on a specific injury depends on so many factors. What is crucial is not to sell yourself short. Let’s say you lose something small, like a finger. You may have seen people with missing fingers going about life as if nothing had happened. Does that mean you will be able to? Not necessarily. Here are two questions to ask yourself: How Does Losing A Body Part Make You Feel? If you wore a ring for a long time then removed it, you may occasionally feel that the ring is still there.…Read More

A worker in a yellow safety vest holds a blue hard hat at a construction site under a clear sky. - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: December 14, 2021

Workplace injuries happen for many reasons, a lot of which may be out of your control as an employee. For instance, maybe your employer hasn’t given you the proper safety protection equipment or maybe the other employees you work with don’t work in a safe manner, putting you at risk. However, it is true that a lot of injuries suffered on the job are the fault of the person who is injured. Someone could do a poor job setting up a ladder up at the wrong angle, and then they could be injured when that…Read More

A man in a wheelchair using a laptop at a table representing Disability - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: December 2, 2021

Workplace accidents happen all the time. And while most workers recover fully from their workplace-related injuries, some do not and continue to experience medical challenges that render them unable to work. In the unfortunate event that your injuries aren’t ever going to heal, you may be eligible for permanent disability (PD) benefits under California workers’ compensation laws. Injuries And Illnesses That Fall Under Permanent Disability Permanent disabilities come from all kinds of injuries, in all kinds of occupations Here are some of the workplace-related injuries that are likely to result in a permanent disability: Traumatic…Read More

Group of QME professionals - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: December 1, 2021

Workers and their employers often disagree about workers’ compensation claims. Although a company won’t pay out of pocket for an employee’s benefits, a major claim can increase the premium that they have to pay for workers’ compensation coverage in the future. Workers know that they need benefits, and employers have an interest in minimizing what workers receive. You know that you got hurt at work or developed your medical condition because of your job responsibilities. Maybe you have a repetitive stress injury from typing or using the same machinery every day rather than an injury…Read More

Woman falling down stairs representing workplace slip and fall incident - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: November 18, 2021

Workers across California are exposed to numerous risks each day. Often, these risks vary depending on the specific type of working environment. A unique aspect of slip-and-fall accidents is that they can essentially happen to anyone at any time. Nevertheless, there are factors that can increase the possibility of this type of incident. Understanding the common causes could assist with prevention. Outlined below are three of the leading causes of workplace slip-and-fall accidents. Wet And Slippery Floors There are numerous reasons why the workplace floor may become wet or slippery. For example, individuals may bring water…Read More

Woman looking overwhelmed at desk - Leep Tescher Helfman and Zanze
  • By: Benjamin Helfman
  • Published: November 5, 2021

Injuries sustained in a workplace can be specific, such as slip-and-fall injuries or cumulative injuries that take time. Cumulative trauma injuries develop over time and are caused by repetitive physical or mental activities that happen over a long period. Cumulative trauma injuries can cause a disability or the need for medical care. According to a recent report, cumulative trauma claims have been on the rise in recent years. It shows how big an issue this has become, and if you are a worker, you may want to check if you are a victim of cumulative trauma.…Read More

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