Workplace accidents can happen at any time. Whether in a retail store or a construction site, employees can sustain different injuries. California workers comp law is designed to cover injuries or illnesses that occur on the job. Unfortunately, many work injury claims are denied or delayed for a number of reasons, including the worker not knowing whether their injury is covered, the insurance company making things difficult, and more.
Understanding the types of injuries covered under workers compensation law in Adelanto can help protect your rights from the start.
In many instances, the lack of information ultimately contributes to injured workers not being able to get the benefits that they are owed after a work accident. If you were injured on the job in Adelanto or surrounding areas, it is important that you seek legal help as soon as possible. An experienced workers compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and the options available to you.
Review of the Different Injuries Covered by Workers Compensation Law
There are many different injuries that are covered under workers compensation law. These injuries may occur because of sudden incidents, because of heavy lifting or repetitive motions, or even exposure to certain chemicals. Below, we will go over the different injuries that may occur and that are covered by workers comp law.
Traumatic Injuries from Workplace Accidents
These are usually injuries that happen suddenly and are relatively easy to document. They may occur due to slip and fall accidents, falling object or debris, vehicle accidents, or machinery/equipment accidents while working.
Some examples of these injuries include:
- Head injuries, concussions, and brain injuries
- Shoulder injuries, knee injuries, and hip injuries
- Fractures and dislocations
- Lacerations, severed fingers, etc.
- And more
Back Injuries, Neck Injuries, and Spine Injuries
These are among the most common injuries, although they can often be among the most disputed injuries. Back injuries, neck injuries, and spine injuries can be caused the following:
- Heavy lifting
- Repetitive bending or repetitive twisting
- Long hours of sitting or standing
- Sudden jerking motions
These injuries can become chronic if they are not properly treated. These injuries can occur over time or can arise after minor incidents. These injuries can occur is warehouse settings, where physical labor is more likely, as well as other settings where workers are constantly on their feet or doing the same motions day after day.
Injuries from Repetitive Stress and Overuse
These injuries are frequently challenged, specifically because there is no single accident date. These injuries develop over time due to repetitive use. Some of the most common injuries related to repetitive stress and overuse include the following:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Shoulder injuries and elbow injuries
- Knee injuries and hip overuse injuries
Construction Injuries and Industrial Injuries
Adelanto has a high number of construction/industrial jobs. In general, these are industries with a high risk of injury. Some of the injuries that may occur in these sectors could include the following:
- Falls from high elevations
- Crush injuries
- Electrical burns
- Injuries from equipment malfunction
In general, these injuries tend to be severe, involving long-term or permanent disability. These incidents can have lengthy recovery periods and can affect workers’ financial stability, as they are likely to be unable to work for months or even years as a result of their injury.
Occupational Illnesses and Other Injuries due to Exposure to Substances
When workers are exposed to hazardous substances long-term, they can develop certain illnesses. For example, exposure to dust or chemicals in the workplace could potentially lead to the following:
- Respiratory conditions
- Skin conditions
- And other illnesses
These claims typically require strong medical evidence. It is important that affected workers immediately seek medical attention and, of course, report any symptoms/illnesses to their employer. When these illnesses are properly documented, workers comp claims are stronger.
Psychological Injuries or Mental Health Injuries
Many people do not know that mental health issues can be covered under workers compensation law. Some of the conditions that are potentially covered can include some of the following:
- Stress-related injuries caused by job duties
- Work-related anxiety or depression
- Psychological trauma from workplace incidents
Without a doubt, these types of claims are among the most complex. These types of claims almost always need legal help to improve the chances of the claims being approved and affected employees recovering the benefits that they are owed.
Worsening of Pre-Existing Conditions
This type of injury is one of the most misunderstood. If someone’s job aggravates or worsens an existing condition, like a bad back, a bad knee, or another condition, then it may still be covered. Again, this is a type of claim that often gets denied; however, with the help of an experienced attorney, pre-existing conditions that are aggravated in the workplace are compensable.
Injuries that Occur Off-Site or While Traveling
If an injury occurs while traveling between job sites, running workplace errands, driving for work, or doing anything that is within the scope of employment, for example, then your injury may still be covered even if it happened off-site. As long as you were performing work duties at the time that the injury occurred, then workers compensation insurance should cover it.
Fatal Injuries
If any workplace incident results in fatal injuries, workers compensation insurance should provide death benefits to surviving family members. These benefits could include burial expenses as well as wage replacement.
Understanding Why These Types of Claims May be Denied
Ultimately, an insurance company loses money every time that they approve a claim and pay out benefits. Even when a claim is seemingly valid, an insurance company may try to get out of paying it. They may deny claims by alleging that the injury was not work related, that there was not enough medical documentation to prove the injury, that it was reported too late, or that it did not occur while the employee was performing job duties, for example.
To prevent claims from being unfairly denied, it is important that injured workers and their families have adequate legal representation.
Contact Our Adelanto Workers Compensation Lawyers Today
Knowing whether your injury is protected under workers compensation law is just the first step. This information empowers injured workers to fight to protect their health, income, and future after a workplace accident. Do not risk losing your right to benefits simply because of a lack of information. If you were injured at work in Adelanto and are in need of legal help, do not hesitate to reach out to the workers comp lawyers here at California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group as soon as possible. Our work injury lawyers have decades of experience and are fully committed to providing you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights under workers compensation law.
We offer free case reviews, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our team will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you need to begin or continue your claim. To schedule a free case review, contact our team today.
Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will not be responsible for paying any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. Since our firm works on a contingency basis, our clients will not be responsible for paying anything at all if their claims are not successful. If you do not win, you simply will not pay anything.
Contact us today for more information.
