Important Time Limits for Filing a Workers Compensation Case All California cases have a time limit on when the matter can be brought to court, known as the Statute of Limitations (SOL). California workers’ compensation claims are no...
Elevators are highly regulated to ensure safety. However, if they are not adequately serviced, they can malfunction, and this can often lead to elevator users being trapped. As well as being very distressing, being stuck in an elevator for a significant amount of time can have wide-ranging implications. If you suffered an injury due to being stuck in an elevator in California, it is important that you understand how you can take appropriate action to assert your rights. What injuries commonly result from being stuck in an elevator? First, being trapped in a small space for a significant amount of time can be very scary and upsetting. It can be possible to claim damages for the negligent infliction of emotional distress. In addition to the distress that being stuck in an elevator can cause, physical injuries can result, too. Dehydration and overheating can be common issues that people face, especially if [...]
If you work in an environment with chemical hazards, it is likely that you will have specialized training and equipment to help protect you from any hazardous effects. Toxic substances can be present in many different types of workplaces, from construction sites and mines to mechanics' garages and landfills. If you have inhaled toxic fumes at work or if you are suffering from ill health that you believe may have been caused by toxic fume inhalation, it is important to understand the effects of toxic fumes. You should also make sure that you understand your rights to gain workers' compensation after any type of work injury. What counts as a toxic substance? Many things that we come into contact with every day can be classed as toxic. This includes gasoline, bleach and alcohol. These chemicals can become extremely dangerous when used in high quantities. What are the effects of inhaling [...]
Dealing with chronic pain can impact your overall well-being, as well as your ability to concentrate and manage daily tasks. It can also lead to a deterioration in mental health if it is not properly managed. If you are dealing with severe or ongoing pain, it can also be difficult to continue to engage in full-time employment, especially if the nature of your work caused or contributed to the condition you are suffering from. You should never over-exert yourself at work because this could worsen the pain. If you believe that the chronic pain you are suffering from originated from the workplace or was worsened at work, you may be able to claim workers' compensation for the damages. The following are some ways that you can manage chronic pain in the working environment. Report an injury as soon as possible after it occurs Many people who suffer from pain that [...]
If you’re employed in California, you are almost certainly covered by workers’ compensation insurance paid for by your employer. If you aren’t it’s probably due to your employer breaking state law and not to some exception to the law. Whether you work in a hospital, nursing home, or as a home health care or domestic worker, you have a right to workers compensation insurance in California. Caring for patients is dangerous work The statistics are clear. Healthcare is a dangerous industry and nursing is a particularly dangerous profession. Consider the recent US Department of Labor’s list of private-industry occupations with the most injuries and illness. Registered nurse was the seventh most dangerous profession. Nursing assistant came in at fourth. These two nursing professions together accounted for nearly 6.7 percent of all incidents, more than any other profession except the broad category of “non-construction laborer.” The physical risks of patient handling The source [...]
Roller skating and ice rinks can be great fun for all of the family. However, they can present certain risks. Falls on roller skates can lead to broken arms or even head injuries. This is why skating centers must put safety measures in place to prevent accidents. If your child was injured at a roller skate rink or an ice rink, it is likely that they experienced pain, distress and suffering. In addition, you may have had to pay significant medical bills to treat their injuries. If you can show that negligence led to your child's injury, you will be able to make a compensation claim. The premises owner's duty to you If you are a guest on any premises, the owner has the legal duty to do everything reasonably possible to ensure your safety. When it comes to roller skate and ice rinks, management should ensure that all users [...]
Workers' compensation is often used to pay for medical treatment for injuries that occurred in the workplace. While these injuries could have occurred in an accident with workplace machinery or in a car crash, they could also have occurred in extremely stressful or traumatic environments where no physical harm was caused. When a person is affected mentally by their working environment, this is known as a psychiatric injury. In California, it is possible to file for workers' compensation as a result of psychiatric injuries. This is because mental illnesses can be equally as pervasive and limiting as any other type of injury. They also require extensive medical treatment and time off work in order to recover. What are the challenges of filing for workers' compensation as a result of a psychiatric injury? Proving that mental health problems were actually caused by the working environment can be the biggest challenge in these [...]
If you have recently made a complaint at work or you have reported your company for illegal or unsafe activities, you may be a whistleblower. As such, you have a higher risk of negative actions being taken against you by your employer or even your co-workers because you have likely acted against their wishes. This is why there are laws in place to legally protect whistleblowers across the United States. If you have been affected by whistleblower retaliation in California, it is important that you take action to protect yourself and hold your employer accountable for their illegal treatment of you. What are California's whistleblower laws? California laws are particularly protective of whistleblowers because they cover both public and private employees. In 2014, the California Whistleblower Protection Act was amended to include additional laws. These laws expanded the scope of protection to include protections for workers that made complaints internally in the [...]
A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer died recently when he was struck while on a traffic stop in Lake Elsinore. The officer, a sergeant, was a 27-year-veteran of the CHP who previously had patrolled the Santa Ana and Baldwin Park areas. The fatal incident occurred when the sergeant stopped the driver of a Chrysler on the shoulder of southbound Interstate 15. A gray Toyota Corolla ran into the sergeant, the motorcycle and the Chrysler, according to the CHP. He was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar and died from major injuries. The driver of the Toyota, a 36-year-old man, was arrested on multiple charges, including driving under the influence, the CHP said. The Riverside County District Attorney's Office could add charges. The Toyota driver suffered only minor injuries, and the four occupants sitting in the Chrysler weren't hurt. Gov. Gavin Newson released a statement of condolences to the sergeant's [...]
Being injured at work can have long-term effects on your ability to earn an income. If your injury has caused a disability, you may no longer be able to work in the job you had prior to the incident. As a result, you will need to go through the process of building new work skills to help you change your career path. Job training can cost a great deal of money, and this is why rehabilitation is one of your rights under workers' compensation law. It is important that you make sure to assert your vocational rehabilitation rights in addition to claiming workers' compensation funds. Rehabilitation rights of workers in California Injured workers in California are eligible for a nontransferable voucher for the purpose of education-related retraining or skill-building. This voucher is only valid when being used in conjunction with a state-approved school or training program. Are all injured workers [...]