Living in San Diego is a dream for many people because of the mild weather, proximity to the many world-class beaches, and the entertainment and sports venues in the area. Even workers on the East Coast and in the Midwest are sure they would thrive if they lived in this beautiful and inviting community. But what they are not sure about are the jobs that could be open to them if they make the big move to live in SoCal and enjoy all that San Diego has to offer.
But after just a small amount of research, it is clear that there are many career paths that could take you to San Diego and allow you to work for a major company that would likely provide job security. As you explore the options, you will find that the major employers in the region include:
- Healthcare services like Sharp HealthCare, Scripps Health, which includes Mercy, UC San Diego Health, Rady Children’s Hospital, and Kaiser Permanente
- The educational sector also has a large footprint in the area, with the University of California, San Diego, San Diego Community College District, and the San Diego Unified School District
- The technology industry is well-represented in the city, with Qualcomm, Illumina, Sempra, Intuit, and Hologic all with facilities in the San Diego area
And of course, there are many entertainment and hospitality-focused venues that include massive hotels, resorts, and theme facilities like Sea World San Diego. What this means is that workers in the area have many options to consider when seeking employment. But there is one factor that they need to understand, and that is that with all of these options, there are still no jobs or career paths that are perfect. In any role, from a receptionist to a police officer or a baker, you will face a certain level of risk each day when you head from your home to your job in San Diego. But the good news for workers in the area is that they have protection from the very robust California Worker’s Comp Program that will offer them assistance if they become the next victim of a workplace injury. In addition, if anyone has any questions or concerns about how to open a San Diego Worker’s Comp claim or the services provided by the program, the exceptional legal team at California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group is ready to help them resolve their issues.
All you or any San Diego workplace injury victim needs to do is grab the phone and reach out to the office staff at California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group. This team of dedicated professionals can be reached around the clock to help you understand how the WC program can assist you and the other legal options that might be open to you based on the facts of the on the job injuries you sustained. In addition to offering this basic information and guidance, the team will help you book a free consultation at your convenience with a seasoned San Diego Worker’s Comp attorney who will further explore your case and the options you have to get help in resolving your losses and expenses caused by the injury incident.
After you relate the details of your workplace injury incident and the harm you suffered, your California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group San Diego Worker’s Comp attorney will provide you with more detailed information that is case specific to you and your needs, while also letting you know if you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. With this information, you will be ready to begin making choices that can provide you with relief from the stress of costly medical bills and the hardships caused by lost income. But please also know that you will never be pressured or obligated to hire California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group or take any legal action. Our only concern is that you understand your options and know more about the time limits surrounding all of your choices.
Common San Diego Workplace Injury Incidents
Knowing that San Diego residents can work in a wide variety of fields and careers, it is critical that you also understand that there is an equally broad scope for the workplace injuries one could sustain. In addition, it is important to note that not all workplace injuries are the result of a work-specific injury incident. Any worker could suffer a slip and fall or a trip and fall while on the clock, much like the same incident could happen when they are at home or in a shopping mall. No matter where you work or the tasks you are required to perform, it is critical to be aware of common safety hazards and work-specific issues that could result in injuries like:
- Injuries as a result of falling objects, which could include inventory falling from racks or a tree branch falling on you
- Slip and fall issues are common in overly wet or moist areas, as well as places where a significant amount of small items are spilled or fall to the floor, such as a store where cartons of coffee beans, rice, or kitty litter could spill and coat the floor with these slippery substances
- Trip and fall issues can be the result of anything left on the floor, uneven flooring or pavement, loose floor coverings, damaged hand safety rails, or electrical cords or hoses left in walkways
- Workers could also suffer a burn as a result of contact with a hot item, an open flame, or electricity
- Chemical burns and illnesses can be caused by contact with things like cleaners, solvents, or other chemicals or chemical vapors
- Vehicle accidents or pedestrian versus car or equipment incidents are also common in large work spaces like a warehouse, shipping yard, or even if you work in a store like Home Depot or Lowe’s that moves inventory with a forklift
Common San Diego Workplace Injuries
When you think about all the various accidents that could happen in a workplace, the list of injuries ranges from minor cuts and bruises to very severe or even life-threatening harm. Workers need to know that after any workplace injury, they have the right to open a WC claim and seek a medical evaluation to ensure they are not seriously injured. In addition, you will be happy to have the WC coverage if your on the job injury incident causes you to suffer one or more of these potentially severe injuries:
- Broken or shattered bones
- Compound fractures
- Dislocated joints and the destruction of the soft connective tissue of the joints
- Soft tissue damage and destruction of the nearby nerve tissue
- Back, neck, and spinal cord damage
- Facial injuries that include harm to the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or the delicate skin on the face
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
- Damage to internal organs or internal bleeding
- Partial or complete amputations
- Head injuries that range from a skull fracture or severe concussion to a brain bleed or other traumatic brain injuries
What Does Worker’s Comp Cover For San Diego Workplace Injury Victims/
As an employee in California, you should know that the WC program requires all employers to participate and cover the cost of enrolling all employees in the insurance-like program. The result of this coverage is the option to open a Worker’s Comp claim when you get hurt while on the job and receive many helpful benefits. Workers are entitled to open a claim for any on the job injury that occurred while performing the tasks of their regular job, as long as they were not involved in horseplay at the time of the incident, and that they were also not under the influence of any mind-altering substance when they got hurt.
As an injury victim who opens a worker’s comp claim, you will be entitled to benefits on an as needed basis that fall within these categories:
- Complete payment of all medical expenses related to the harm sustained at work
- If you are unable to work while you heal, Worker’s Comp can pay you as much as 66% of your regular weekly income to help you cover your daily living expenses.
- In cases that result in long-term or temporary limitations, the program can provide disability payments to help offset the decreased earning potential of your new job
- If you are hurt so severely that you will never be capable of returning to your current career, the Worker’s Comp program will provide you with free vocational training to help you learn a new skill and prepare to re-enter the workforce once you have recovered.
When Can I Sue My Employer?
In most cases, a hurt worker is not permitted to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer. Because the employer is paying for the entire cost of your WC coverage, they are afforded protection from personal injury lawsuits being filed by an employee. Only in very rare cases that involve gross negligence by an employer is a worker who was hurt on the job permitted to file a lawsuit.
Gross negligence is defined as a complete lack of concern or disregard for the safety and well-being of an employee. If the harm you suffered was partially or wholly caused due to gross negligence on the part of your employer, you could have grounds to pursue legal action to secure compensation for your losses and expenses. Please reach out to California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group if you feel that gross negligence was a factor and that you might have the ability to seek added compensation for the harm you suffered while on the job.
How Long Do I Have To Seek Help And Benefits?
If you are going to open a San Diego Worker’s Comp claim, you have only 30 days from the date of the injury incident to contact the program and begin the claim process. If you wait longer than 30 days and then try to open the claim, it will typically be denied, and you will get no help or compensation. It is vital you know that this time limit is strictly enforced, and if you wait too long to try to open your WC claim, there is little chance of you getting the benefits you deserve.
If you suffered a workplace injury that could have been partially or wholly caused by gross negligence, you have two years from the date of the incident to file your lawsuit with the court. This time limit is also strictly enforced, and once it has passed, the victim is no longer permitted to file a personal injury case related to that matter. Finally, once the original two years have passed, it is nearly impossible to secure added time to take legal action regarding a personal injury lawsuit. Please reach out to California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group today to discuss your workplace injuries, the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit, and how the California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group can assist you in getting the help and solutions you need and deserve.
Why You Need California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group Working For You
The team at California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group is dedicated to protecting the rights of workplace injury victims and ensuring they get the help and medical care they need. In addition, we pledge to never add to the hardships faced by our clients by asking for upfront payments or legal fees. Instead, we provide the assistance our clients need and only get paid after the matter has been resolved. Finally, if your California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group San Diego Worker’s Comp attorney fails to win your case and get you the compensation you deserve, you owe the firm nothing for its time and investment in building the lawsuit. Please make time today to reach out to our caring and compassionate office staff who will help you understand more about the California Worker’s Compensation Program and the process to access your benefits.
