Redding Workers’ Compensation Law Blog

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 brain injuries (TBI) Severe burns and scars Loss of a limb or fingers Spinal cord injuries Types Of Permanent Disabilities Before understanding how much your...

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 from a specific incident. Your employer wants to insist that you got hurt outside of work and therefore workers’ compensation should not apply to your...

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 in when conditions outside are rainy. Additionally, a failure to clean up spillages or to do so in an inappropriate manner can result in slippery...

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. Some common examples of such injuries include: Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the nerves on the wrists and causes pain or numbness on your hand Tendonitis,...

Temporary disability benefits are payments you get after you are injured at work, and your injuries prevent you from doing your job while recovering. Temporary disability pays up to two-thirds of the gross wages (pre-tax) that you lose while recuperating from your injuries. Under California law, you cannot receive more than the maximum weekly amount set at  $1,356.31. You are required to report to the claims administrator all the forms of income that you receive from work, including food, lodging, commissions, tips, overtime and bonuses. You should also report any earnings from work you did at other jobs when you got injured. When Do Temporary Disability Benefits Begin And End? It all rests with your physician. Temporary disability payments start when...

If you get injured on the job, the general advice is to report it to your supervisor as soon as you can. If it’s severe enough that you need to go to the hospital, of course, they’re going to know anyway. But many injuries are not that severe. Less severe injuries require you to make sure your company knows what happened, and you want to file an official report even if you consider the accident to be obvious in nature. Why is it so important to do this? It can help you get the workers’ comp benefits that you deserve. What Does The Department Of Industrial Relations Say? In terms of timing, the branch of the California government known as...

If you are hurt on the job, it’s important for you to consider working with an attorney to help you with your claim. You may not be sure why you need one or if you do, which is why it’s a good idea to go over some information about making a claim. When you make a workers’ compensation claim, you have to meet specific deadlines or stand to lose your opportunity to make a claim at all. You may get an opportunity to choose medical professionals for the qualified medical evaluator’s examination if you work quickly enough, so you’ll want to investigate whom you’d like to examine you before you select them. On top of all this, you may be...

When you make a workers’ compensation claim in California, state rules determine what benefits you receive. Immediately after your injury or diagnosis with a work-acquired medical condition, you can count on medical benefits paying for your treatment. You will also potentially qualify for temporary disability benefits if you have restrictions on what work you can do or you can’t work at all during your recovery. However, the state will not necessarily authorize indefinite medical care or disability benefits if your condition does not continue to improve. If full recovery isn’t possible, then benefits will likely shrink or end when your condition stops improving. Eventually, the physician treating you will determine that you have reached your maximum medical improvement (MMI). What...

If your spouse gets injured on the job, you know that workers’ compensation can pay for their lost wages, medical bills and things of this nature. The payments may not exactly equal what your spouse was earning, but they help you until he or she can return to work. But what if that will never happen? Say that the injury is so severe that your spouse passes away on the job. Now you have funeral expenses along with everything else and you will never have more earnings from that job. Can you still get workers’ comp benefits? Death Benefits Can Be Paid To A Worker’s Survivors The short answer is yes, that California workers’ compensation laws allow for death benefits, which can...

Those who work outdoors in California already have to deal with temperatures that regularly get into the 80s and 90s during the summer. That’s why California law details requirements for employers who have outdoor workforces. These requirements include things like the availability of fresh water and shade, sufficient rest breaks and training in how to spot signs of heat-related illness. Outdoor workers in parts of California where wildfires are burning face the additional danger of inhaling smoke and the toxic particles it may contain. Wildfire smoke can easily affect air quality miles away from the fires. The Farmworker Wildfire Smoke Protections Act That’s why California lawmakers have drafted a bill called the Farmworker Wildfire Smoke Protections Act. Farm and agricultural workers are...