Whether it be tendonitis from typing or a debilitating back injury, there are many ways to get injured on the job. As an employee in the state of California, you are eligible for workman’s compensation if you are injured at work. In fact, there are many workplace injury laws in place to protect you.
A common misconception is that you must be a full-time employee and U.S. citizen to get worker’s comp insurance. However, both part-time employees and undocumented workers are protected if injured at work in California. Also, you should never hesitate to file a worker’s comp claim for fear of being reported to immigration.
Educating yourself about workplace injury laws and taking immediate action after getting hurt are the best ways to ensure you get adequate coverage.
What are Considered Workplace Injuries?
As OSHA explains, an injury is considered “work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness.”
Less obvious workplace injuries are pre-existing conditions that get intensified at work. For example, if you have asthma and are forced to work in a dusty environment with poor ventilation, your illness will likely become debilitating due to your job.
In the event you sustain a work-related injury, you should immediately file an incident report with your employer so there is a paper trail from the beginning. Even more, Contact Casa de la Justicia and we will make sure you get proper medical attention with no extra cost.
- Overexertion & Repetitive Stress
Overexertion and repetitive stress injuries are common across nearly every major industry in the United States. While millions of people suffer from overexertion and repetitive stress, these are some of the most misunderstood types of workplace injuries.
Overexertion injuries occur when you consistently push your body too hard. Whether it be from lifting heavy objects or simply being on your feet too long, overexertion will eventually result in a work-related injury. Repetitive stress occurs when you repeat a single motion regularly at work to the point that it damages your body.
- Contact with Objects & Machinery
There are many ways that people can get injured by coming into contact with machinery. No matter if you work at a factory, farm, or restaurant, each of these operations have machinery that can cause serious harm.
Ways that machinery causes injuries include:
- Machinery moves and strikes a person
- Employees are burned by hot surfaces
- Workers accidentally strike objects with force
- Body parts are crushed or pinched by a machine
Especially if you work in a fast-paced environment with heavy machinery, you should be extra vigilant with workplace safety.
- Fires and Explosions
Fires and explosions happen more regularly on the job than one might think. Especially if you work in an environment that has flammable materials and chemicals on hand, there is real potential to sustain bodily harm.
Common operations where fires and explosions might occur include oil wells, refineries, factories, chemical plants, construction sites, and manufacturing facilities. Needless to say, all of these operations must have stringent safety protocols and training in place.
- Car Accidents
No matter what type of business you work at, car accidents are always a possibility if there are vehicles involved. Whether you drive all day long or work near a loading dock, there is the potential to get injured by moving vehicles.
Due to the dangers of car accidents, employers pay some of the highest worker’s comp premiums for jobs that require driving. This notion includes positions as varied as traveling salespeople, delivery drivers, and factory workers.
- Trips, Slips, and Falls
In just about any job, trips, slips, and falls are always a real threat. In certain places of work like restaurants, there are many ways to fall and get injured. You might slip on a wet floor and fall, or you could easily trip over a broom or storage bin.
People sustain many injuries from trips, slips, and falls – including broken bones, bruises, and sprains. With dangerous jobs involving ladder work, people fall from heights and suffer serious impact with the ground.
Injured at Work? Contact Casa de la Justicia
Remember, your employer cannot legally fire you for filing a worker’s compensation claim. It’s also important to note that it doesn’t matter how long you have been employed – you are eligible for worker’s comp from the day you start work.
Getting injured at work can be a traumatic experience. Contact Casa de la Justicia and we will get you back pay and additional compensation, as well as access to medical care and rehabilitation with no out-of-pocket expenses.
