Redding Workers’ Compensation Law Blog

The logging industry plays a vital role in the economy by providing firewood and lumber for buildings and other applications. Unfortunately, because of the nature of the industry, workers are at risk of suffering injuries. These hard workers face numerous hazards on a daily basis. Understanding them can help reduce the risk of an accident, but the onus to prevent injuries ultimately falls on employers, not the workers themselves. Cuts And Lacerations In the logging industry, cuts and lacerations are common injuries from using sharp tools and machinery, such as chainsaws and axes. The risk is particularly high during tree felling and limb removal, where workers are in close contact with sharp edges. Proper safety gear, including cut-resistant clothing and gloves and...

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...

A worker suffered a broken leg on the job after a piece of equipment fell on them. Now, they have to stay at home until their leg heals. This worker may be worried about losing their income while they are out, recovering. Temporary Disability (TD) benefits are one form of assistance for which they may be eligible. After the worker suffered a broken leg, they should receive medical attention through workers’ compensation. California law requires employers to buy workers’ compensation insurance so their employers won’t lose out on all of their regular income. The worker should request a DWC 1 claim form, which starts the process. Do I Have To Fill Out The Claim Form My Employer Gave Me? Injured employees fill...

If you have been injured while performing your duties, the California labor law entitles you to a workers’ compensation for your injuries. However, it is imperative that you report your injury within the stipulated time limit to be eligible for compensation. Once this time limit elapses, you might no longer have a cause of action since your right to the compensation will be effectively barred. Reporting Your Workplace Injury In California If you are hurt at work in California, you will be required to report your work-related injury within 30 days. First, you should report the injury to your employer in writing. Remember, failure to report your injury or condition within 30 days may result in you losing your right to...

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) develop slowly, over time. Quite often, they’re work-related injuries that are directly tied to the motions a worker has to make over and over again to do their job. Once an RSI develops, it can be quite debilitating. That’s why it is so important to seek medical care for a suspected RSI as soon as you develop any kind of symptoms. What Causes Repetitive Stress Injuries? There are dozens of activities that could lead to repetitive stress injuries, such as: Lifting objects into place Moving your hands and arms above your shoulders Assembling products with similar movements Typing all day Using a computer mouse Sitting in a stationary position Climbing ladders These actions could lead to...

If you must use ladders as part of your job, please know that the risks you face are greater than they are for many other employees. Falls are a leading cause of injury, and it does not take a long fall for someone to suffer serious injuries. Just slipping on a six-foot ladder while changing a lightbulb could be enough. Ladders are always dangerous. That said, they’re also often necessary, so how can you work safely? Ladder Safety Starts With The Basics Here are a few important tips: Do not climb to the very top or even the step right below the top. Do not climb on the backside of the ladder. Do not have multiple workers use the same ladder...

Workers in California, especially those in the construction industry, should know how important it is for their employers to keep the job site free of foreseeable hazards. Below are five all too common mistakes that their employers might make that could lead to a workplace injury. The first is giving employees the wrong tools for a job. Even when two tools are similar, employees should understand that certain tools are made for certain applications. The second mistake is failing to give employees the right personal protective equipment. Employers should start by performing a PPE assessment and then purchase the right equipment. Employees should be told not to remove PPE, even when the weather makes it uncomfortable. Many worksites require ladders and scaffolding....

Most workers who get hurt on the job will have minimal need for workers’ compensation. In a lot of cases, the benefits someone can secure through California workers’ compensation after a workplace injury may only need to cover basic medical care immediately after the incident and possibly the loss of wages for a few days or a couple of weeks. In rare, more severe, cases, an individual who gets hurt on the job might wind up with a permanent disability. In fact, even injuries that people sometimes think of as minor or at least easy to recover from, like broken bones, can result in a permanent disability that leaves someone unable to return to work and possibly reduces their quality...

California employees who frequently work around machinery probably know something about pinch points. These are any points where workers or one of their extremities are liable to get caught. They include areas between two moving parts, between a moving and a stationary part of the machine and between a part of the machine and some material. Metal workers may encounter pinch points in power presses and other metal-forming machines. Construction and warehouse workers run a high risk for injury as well. Pinch points can be found in conveyors, printing presses, assembling machines, powered rollers and power transmission equipment. Powered covers and hatches also come with pinch points. Employers who use robotic machines should know that even these pose a safety hazard. To...

Working in a retail store may not seem very dangerous. In fact, you may view it as harmless or mundane. But there are numerous hazards in retail stores that can injure you. If you suffer an injury from a workplace accident, you may need to take time off work and deal with costly medical bills. Thankfully, you can pursue a workers’ compensation claim to cover these costs. But it is ideal to not get hurt in the first place. Unfortunately, you cannot prevent every type of accident. But you can take a few steps to make your job safer. Watch Out For Slip, Trip And Fall Hazards Here are some common causes of slip, trip and fall accidents: Slippery floors from spills...

Like most residents of Redding, you work hard to provide for your family. Whether you love your job or merely tolerate it, you should not have to worry about sustaining a serious injury at work. Still, your employer may require you to perform the sort of repetitive tasks that can cause long-term harm. When you are at work, you always comply with safety procedures. Even with your best efforts, though, you may develop a repetitive stress injury. To ensure you can continue to work, you may need to exercise your legal right to pursue compensation for injuries sustained on the job. You should know, however, that not all injuries involve broken bones or bloody wounds.  Identifying Repetitive Stress Injuries Repetitive stress injuries occur...

If you suffer an injury on the job, especially if it is not a necessarily serious injury, you may be wondering if you should report it to your employer. Many employees choose not to report workplace injuries because they fear they may lose their job or experience other forms of retaliation by their employer. The bottom line, however, is that it is critical that you report your workplace injury in California as soon as it happens, or as soon as you become aware of the injury. Waiting to report or deciding not to report can have serious consequences for you, your health and your finances as time goes on. Time Limits And Eligibility For Benefits You may feel that your...

As an employee in the Redding area, you may be under the impression that you cannot receive workers’ compensation benefits unless a workplace accident caused your injuries. It is true that injuries that occur on the job are usually compensable with workers’ comp benefits. However, if you suffer certain health conditions, fall ill or incur injuries while on the job, you may also qualify. Here is a brief overview of workers’ compensation benefits and nonaccidental workplace injuries. Some Ailments And Injuries Can Qualify For Workers’ Compensation Some injuries and illness can occur from repeated exposure to certain work conditions. For example, if you work in a high-stress environment, there is the possibility of you developing chronic heart problems, insomnia or digestive disorders,...

Workplace injuries take a toll on every worker affected by them, but not all injuries are equally serious in the long term, and not all are equally visible. One injury that is more common than many employers and workers realize is traumatic brain injury. TBI has a profound effect on workers even when physical recovery seems to happen quickly, so it is important that those who are injured on the job have the right benefits and support to recover as fully as possible. Facts About On-The-Job Brain Injuries Each year, there are about 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries in the United States, but not all of them happen on the job. A healthy portion happen during recreational activities like sports,...