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Recent Blog Posts
Are Holiday Decorations a Workplace Hazard?
Holiday decorations can create a cozy feeling that makes you feel safer in your workplace. However, failing to follow safe decorating guidelines can make some workplaces more dangerous. While having the workplace decorated might be good for morale, it may increase the chances of someone getting hurt at work. Generally, decorations should not be placed on factory floors, near heavy machinery, or anywhere they might get in the way of workers doing their jobs. If you are injured in a workplace accident, such as a fire or trip-and-fall, you might be entitled to compensation. An experienced Gilroy, CA workers’ compensation attorney can help you take legal action after a workplace injury.
Holiday Decorations May Be a Fire Hazard in Workplaces
Every year, people experience fires caused by holiday lights. String lights can wear out after years of use and may become damaged, which can lead to spontaneous electrical fires. Decorations that light up should be kept away from any highly flammable materials or combustible goods that are stored in the workplace.
How Long Do I Have to Report a Work Injury to My Employer?
Under California law, you must report a workplace injury to your employer within 30 days to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Reporting the injury to your employer is an important part of the California workers’ compensation process. This time limit exists for a number of reasons. First, it gives both parties a reasonable chance to gather the evidence they need. If an employee waits more than 30 days to tell his or her employer about the injury, odds are, the employer no longer has access to important evidence like security camera footage, which may have been erased by then. It may also help facilitate the employee’s claim, as the employer can start working with workers’ compensation promptly if the employer plans to cooperate. It is important to contact an experienced Morgan Hill, CA workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible after a workplace injury.
Compensation for a Work-Related Car Accident
If part of your job duties include driving around, there is always a risk that you could be involved in a traffic accident. Although Santa Clara County rarely sees snow, the chances of getting into a car accident can still go up during the winter months due to cold rains and the effects of cold air on tire pressure. If you are hurt while driving for work-related purposes other than getting to and from your job, you may be able to receive help from workers’ compensation. Since going through workers’ compensation for car accident claims can be complicated, you should always be represented by an experienced Gilroy, CA workers’ compensation lawyer.
When is a Car Accident Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation will only cover accidents that occur while you are working, not accidents that happen before or after work or while you are on a break. If you get into an accident while you are driving to work at the start of your shift, home after work, or on a personal errand during your lunch break, you would likely need to go through auto insurance. However, if you are performing a work-related task when the accident happens, you may be covered by workers’ compensation.
Lies Your Employer Might Tell You About Workers' Compensation
When it comes to your right to receive workers’ compensation, the only person you should trust is your own attorney. Employers often try to discourage injured workers from filing for compensation, or may even threaten retaliation. Some employers are scared that they will get in trouble for failing to follow required safety protocol in the first place. Supervisors may be worried about getting fired or in trouble at work for putting you in a dangerous position. Others are worried about how your claim might impact their bottom line. There is always a chance that your employer will tell you things about workers’ compensation that are not true to prevent you from filing a claim. Your San Benito County, CA workers’ compensation lawyer can make sure you have accurate information.
Lie Number One: We Need a Recorded Statement Immediately
Asking a worker to give a recorded statement immediately after the accident, before he or she has had a chance to speak with a lawyer, is not for the worker’s benefit and it is not required. You may be in shock and unable to answer probing questions well. You can refuse to speak to a workers’ compensation representative until you can have your own lawyer there.
Help for Nurses and CNAs Assaulted at Work
No one should be getting physically attacked at work. Unfortunately, a very large percentage of nurses and nurses’ aids will experience workplace violence. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses are about five times more likely to be assaulted while working than the average worker. The World Health Organization suggests that up to 38 percent of nurses will be assaulted at some point during their careers, generally by a patient or a patient’s family member. These attacks can cause serious physical injuries or psychological trauma that renders you unable to work for some time. Healthcare workers who are assaulted at work may be eligible for workers’ compensation. An experienced San Benito County, CA workers’ compensation attorney can fight for you.
Why Workplace Violence is a Major Cause of Work Injuries for Healthcare Workers
Nurses are expected to deal with people at their worst. Especially in the emergency room, a lot of patients are in crisis - they are in extreme pain, having a psychotic break, or are receiving life-altering news. Patient’s family members who are unsure whether their loved one is going to survive are often experiencing an emotional crisis. These people are more inclined to act out violently than the average customer at a grocery store or florist. The emotionality of the situation does not excuse violence against healthcare workers, but it does explain why nurses are at higher risk of being assaulted.
Workers’ Compensation for PTSD and Psychological Injuries
You do not have to be physically injured at work to be suffering from a work-induced psychological disability. If you are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, struggling with acute post-traumatic stress, or have begun to experience other psychological problems like depression or anxiety as a direct result of something that has happened at work, you might be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. Issues like PTSD or depression can be the result of a single, serious incident or can build up over time, like many other occupational illnesses. If you have had to take time away from work due to PTSD or other psychological issues, you should talk to an experienced Santa Clara County, CA workers’ compensation lawyer.
Mental Health After a Serious Injury
Many workplace accidents are traumatic. The psychological ramifications of a workplace accident can persist long after your physical injuries have healed. If you were physically hurt at work, you may have a very strong case for getting workers’ compensation for your psychological injuries as well. If you find that your thoughts and memories of the accident are causing you such significant distress that you are not able to work even after physically healing, you may qualify for long-term disability.
Wearable Technology and Workers’ Compensation in California
As technology develops to meet more needs, some innovations can play a significant role in keeping employees safer than they used to be. One area where this is becoming increasingly noticeable is with wearable technology. Devices such as fitness trackers and smart helmets can monitor a worker's health and safety in real time, and there has been a noticeable effect on workers’ compensation claims. If you suffered a work injury and want to explore how wearable technology can impact your claims, speak with a skilled Hollister, CA workers' compensation lawyer to learn more.
Benefits of Wearable Technology in the Workplace
Workplace injuries, and resulting workers’ compensation claims, continue to add up year after year. Many employers find themselves seeking ways to prevent this, whether out of concern for their workers’ safety or their financial bottom line. Regardless, one method that many employers have been considering is introducing wearable technology. This offers several benefits, including:
Workers’ Compensation Issues Following a Trench Collapse in California
Trenches are commonly found at construction sites, and when they collapse, it can lead to severe injury and sometimes death. The recent death of a construction worker following a trench collapse has highlighted how dangerous these can be. All workers in California are entitled to workers’ compensation when they are hurt in a workplace injury, and construction workers are no exception. However, companies that provide compensation have an interest in limiting the amount of money they pay out. If you are injured while doing your job, a seasoned Morgan Hill, CA workers’ compensation lawyer can review your case and advise you on how to seek maximum compensation.
Workers’ Compensation Challenges in California’s Gig Economy
In 2024, more and more people are earning their living in ways that people could never have imagined a few decades ago. As platforms like Uber, DoorDash, TaskRabbit, and more have developed, it is more convenient for customers to get the goods and services they want, and people have more access to paying jobs to provide the requested services. With such an extensive gig economy, questions arise about things like workers’ compensation for people in short-term jobs. If you have questions about your workers’ compensation eligibility, contact a knowledgeable Morgan Hill, CA workers’ compensation lawyer.
How is Workers’ Compensation Eligibility Determined?
California’s workers’ compensation system is meant to compensate injured workers regardless of who is to blame for the injury. By nature of their work, gig workers tend to face several types of risks, including:
Are Nurses Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in California?
Working as a nurse can be extremely demanding. Whether they are dealing with other people’s bodily fluids or bad tempers, handling hazardous materials, or treating contagious diseases, there are so many risks nurses face on a daily basis. Fortunately, like all employees in the state of California, nurses are entitled to workers’ comp benefits when they get injured at work. If you have questions about a specific case, contact a qualified Gilroy, CA workers’ comp lawyer.
What Does Nurses’ Workers’ Comp Coverage Involve?
When an employee in California gets sick or injured as a result of their job, they are generally entitled to workers’ comp, which covers the costs of any resulting medical expenses and any lost income from the time they were unable to work. There are two important conditions that need to be met for anyone to qualify for this coverage:
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