When many people hear about workers compensation claims, they think about falls, broken bones, and other workplace injuries. However, there is a new threat to employee health that is being recognized. OSHA is now reporting that Ototoxicants, chemicals that cause hearing loss and balance problems when absorbed, inhaled or ingested, may be endangering the quality of life of employees across the nation. OSHA has grouped Ototoxicants into five separate categories: pharmaceuticals, asphyxiants, solvents, metals and compounds, and nitriles. In addition to the damage to an employee’s quality of life, this also poses a safety risk as…Read More
Workers in California, especially those in the construction industry, should know how important it is for their employers to keep the job site free of foreseeable hazards. Below are five all too common mistakes that their employers might make that could lead to a workplace injury. The first is giving employees the wrong tools for a job. Even when two tools are similar, employees should understand that certain tools are made for certain applications. The second mistake is failing to give employees the right personal protective equipment. Employers should start by performing a PPE assessment and then…Read More
Those living and working in California may want to know more about the QME as it relates to compensation for injured workers and the Division of Workers’ Compensation Medical Unit. It is important to understand the QME when it comes to claims and navigation through the system. According to the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, a claims administrator helps workers with advice about their rights and the steps needed to get medical care. A worker may also learn of other benefits they are entitled to under workers’ compensation laws in California. A QME stands…Read More
If you suffer a severe injury on the job, you may know you can pursue and obtain workers’ compensation benefits. However, the process of recovering the benefits you deserve is often complex. There are several mistakes to avoid that could put your claim at risk, such as missing deadlines or not reporting your injury in the first place. Another risk that injured workers might overlook is their social media account. Insurance Companies Will Look At Your Social Media Nowadays, Californians of all ages have at least one social media account in their name. You might…Read More
Residents and businesses of California should be aware of the Labor Code and what it requires for those doctors who are a Qualified Medical Examiner (QME). This is important for those with workers’ compensation claims of injury on the job. Who are these physicians or evaluators? According to FindLaw, the QME is appointed according to their expertise for a term of two years by the administrative director. Prior to appointment, they must pass an examination that shows they have the legal-medical competence needed for workers’ compensation. The physician must also pass a course on disability evaluation…Read More
Californians who have been injured on the job may rely on workers’ compensation benefits for a variety of reasons. A common concern is what they will do if a claim is denied. While this is undoubtedly a setback, there are ways to reverse a denial. It’s important to understand why a case might be denied and the steps to appeal. There are time constraints to report the injury. Workers who fail to report in the required time frame run the risk of facing a denied claim. There is also a time limit to file the claim. In…Read More
Various changes in the retail warehouse industry are forcing it to become more fast-paced, which means that employers may be more willing to sacrifice safety for efficiency and productivity. Warehouse workers in California are thus more liable to be injured on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the injury rate for retail warehouse workers at 5.1 per 100 full-time equivalent workers: about the same as the one for farmers. The BLS also points out that fatal injuries in warehouses went from 11 in 2015 to 22 in 2017. The following are a few areas where…Read More
Many small business owners in California want to improve safety but do not have the resources for it. On the other hand, older and larger businesses that do have the money and resources can actually benefit by not investing in safety. According to an international study, companies can survive up to 56% longer by dealing with workers’ compensation claims as opposed to improving safety so that such claims never arise. The study looked at the survival of more than 100,000 Oregon-based companies over a period of 25 years. By “survival,” it’s meant the ability to…Read More
Metallic mercury can pose a health and safety risk to many workers. While it remains a liquid at room temperature, it can turn into a toxic vapor or mingle with dust, causing problems once it is inhaled. The California Department of Public Health points out that it’s also harmful for the skin to come into contact with this metal. Mercury exposure, when it’s chronic but at a low level every time, will damage the nervous system so that victims may experience tremors or weakness in the limbs. Victims may also develop anxiety or start to…Read More
Most workers who get hurt on the job will have minimal need for workers’ compensation. In a lot of cases, the benefits someone can secure through California workers’ compensation after a workplace injury may only need to cover basic medical care immediately after the incident and possibly the loss of wages for a few days or a couple of weeks. In rare, more severe, cases, an individual who gets hurt on the job might wind up with a permanent disability. In fact, even injuries that people sometimes think of as minor or at least easy…Read More
