Every year, hundreds of people sustain workplace injuries or illnesses. To protect employees, California mandates all employers provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Through the program, injured workers can collect compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other economic damages. Employees seeking workers’ compensation should also know that if they receive this insurance, they may not be able to file a lawsuit against their employer.
However, many workers still wonder what injuries and illnesses qualify under workers’ compensation in California. In general, it covers any injury or illness that results from your regular work duties. If you still have questions or wonder if you have a claim, contact the KCNS Law Group.
When an injury or illness happens because of your work, workers’ compensation benefits might be available to help employees receive the proper medical care and take time off they need to recover. There are several injuries and illnesses that fall under workers’ compensation, including:
Lacerations, deep cuts, or tears in the skin or flesh can occur in any industry but are most common in manufacturing, machine shops, food production, and restaurants. These injuries often happen when a worker is rushing to finish a job, loses concentration, or does not wear the proper safety gear. To help avoid cuts, employees should wear cut-proof gloves whenever working with sharp objects. Additionally, they should also never leave tools unattended and ensure their workspace is clean. Furthermore, business owners should educate their staff on safety procedures to avoid lacerations.
Sprains are stretched or torn ligaments, while strains are stretched or torn muscles and tendons. Any fall, twist, or pull can cause a sprain or strain injury. In the workplace, improper lifting and ergonomics are often the cause of these injuries. To help keep employees safe, companies should review proper lifting and ergonomic guidelines with their employees.
Bruises are marks on the skin caused by trapped blood under the surface that crushes small blood vessels but does not cause a wound. Contusions often occur when employees drop a heavy object on them or bump into things. Business owners and managers should conduct regular training to review proper ergonomics and environmental awareness. Furthermore, employees should assess the weight of an item and their surroundings before moving an item. Doing so might prevent an injury.
Burn injuries are common in restaurants. However, manufacturing and production areas may also cause burns, primarily if the employees work with heat sources, acids, or bases. Remember, burs may also occur internally through inhaling smoke fumes. Since the severity of burns can vary, employers should take the time to review burn protocols with employees at least once a month.
Breaks in the bone can occur whenever there is too much force on the bone. Broken bones and fractures are most common in workplaces involving manual labor and heavy equipment and machinery exposure. However, these injuries can happen in any workplace. A slip and fall may cause a fractured wrist, or tripping down the steps may cause a broken leg.
California courts recognize psychiatric injuries as work-related injuries. Experts acknowledge that job-related stress is a significant cause of injuries, leading to multiple conditions like heart disease or cancer. It may also lead to depression or anxiety. These injuries may lead to a worker having to take time off work or being unable to complete specific tasks.
Despite these injuries falling under California’s workers’ compensation coverage, an employer or insurance company might still deny your claim. Additionally, filing a workers’ compensation claim can be complex, mainly if you are not familiar with the process. One missed detail may result in you not receiving any compensation.
Do not risk missing out on compensation needed to cover accident-related expenses and contact the workers’ compensation attorneys at the KCNS Law Group. We can handle the day-to-day aspects of your claim and communicate with your employer and the insurance company. We will also fight for you to receive a favorable settlement. To schedule a free consultation, call (818) 938-9255 or complete our contact form.
Our client-based approach is concentrated on our commitment to providing individual and strategic representation tailored to our client’s specific needs.