Redding Workers’ Compensation Law Blog

In the old days, when someone told you about their joint pain, it was likely to be your grandmother talking about her arthritis. Nowadays, it is probably someone who spends their days sitting at a computer, regardless of age. Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) have become a massive problem affecting almost two million workers a year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). One study found that the affect 60% of all those who work at a computer. Your Body Is Not Designed For Typing At A Keyboard All Day Wrist problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome are among the most common RSIs because so many of us spend our days typing at a keyboard. It is not something...

If you must use ladders as part of your job, please know that the risks you face are greater than they are for many other employees. Falls are a leading cause of injury, and it does not take a long fall for someone to suffer serious injuries. Just slipping on a six-foot ladder while changing a lightbulb could be enough. Ladders are always dangerous. That said, they’re also often necessary, so how can you work safely? Ladder Safety Starts With The Basics Here are a few important tips: Do not climb to the very top or even the step right below the top. Do not climb on the backside of the ladder. Do not have multiple workers use the same ladder...

Most workers who need workers’ compensation benefits in California will find that the process is relatively straightforward if they have the right help. However, for some workers applying for workers’ compensation benefits after an injury on the job or a diagnosis with a work-acquired illness, getting benefits can prove to be harder than they initially expected. Your employer could try to undermine your version of events that makes them, and their workers’ compensation insurer, responsible for your care. Perhaps no one denies that the medical issue is because of your work, but there is a disagreement about what kind of treatment you need. For those dealing with a denied claim or a dispute about the necessity of certain treatments, a qualified...

Restaurant work can be stable, decent-paying employment for those with a strong work ethic, even if they have no college education or professional job training. Someone can work their way up in a kitchen and eventually command decent wages by starting as a prep cook right out of high school. However, the dark side of all of that opportunity is the risk that line cooks and other culinary professionals assume on the job. The kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in the house, and it is also one of the most dangerous professional spaces. There Are Traumatic Injury Risks Everywhere In The Kitchen Culinary professionals often spend much of their day bent over open flame on a stove,...

As you may know, workplace injuries often occur suddenly as a result of an unexpected accident. Since sudden injuries link to a specific accident or event, filing for workers’ compensation is usually a simple process. However, workplace injuries and illnesses can also occur over time, making it hard for injured employees in Northern California to acquire benefits. The first thing you should know is that you have the right to receive workers’ compensation for cumulative injuries or continuous trauma. Examples Of Injuries That Develop Gradually Carpal tunnel syndrome in jobs requiring repetitive motion Tendonitis and rotator cuff trauma Certain injuries to the back, neck or shoulders Joint injuries (elbows, knees, etc.) from repetitive motion jobs Illnesses That May Occur Over Time Sick...

Have you ever lain awake at night, unable to sleep because of a sore back? If so, you are not alone. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, over 600,000 workers suffer back injuries in the workplace. You do not need to work in an industry involving heavy lifting such as construction or landscaping for it to happen to you. There are so many different ways to injure your back. You can do so via a one-off event, or it can occur due to a series of events or movements over time. The sad thing is, many back injuries should never have happened. Here’s what can prevent them: Proper training: Employers have a responsibility to provide adequate training. If people understand the...

If you suffer an injury at your place of employment, there’s always a chance it could result in your filing a workers’ compensation claim. While you have the power to do so on your own, it’s typically best to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. Here are some of the many reasons to seek legal assistance: Answers to all your questions: Not only does a workers’ compensation lawyer know the law inside and out, but they can also explain how it pertains to your situation. This allows you to focus on your recovery, as opposed to trying to learn more about something you don’t understand. They will protect your legal rights: For example, if you receive a denial letter,...

Different sorts of insurance will apply in different scenarios. If you get hurt in your home, your health insurance policy will cover (at least some) of the cost of your treatment. If you get hurt on the job, then the chances are good that you will need workers’ compensation insurance benefits to cover your costs and provide some replacement income for your lost wages. While they may cover similar needs, like the need for medical care, the rules for using these benefits are different. If you need medical care through workers’ compensation after an injury on the job, do you have the same right to choose your medical professional as you do when you receive more routine medical services? Your Employer And...

Workers’ compensation helps to cover the costs associated with a medical condition that directly results from someone’s career decisions. Many times, workers’ compensation covers the costs of traumatic injuries, like broken bones or head injuries that a worker suffers on the job. Such injuries can alter the course of someone’s life and drastically change their earning potential. However, you don’t have to fall off scaffolding or get into a crash in a company vehicle to qualify for workers’ compensation. Some people qualified based on illnesses they acquired while performing their job. Could you potentially get workers’ compensation for a medical condition that ties to your career? You Need Evidence To Connect Your Condition To Your Work If you develop an aggressive...

Countless Californians suffer injuries while on the job each year. The state requires almost every employer to have workers’ compensation coverage in case such an event occurs. It’s in situations where there are questions about how much in benefits you may be eligible to receive that state officials may schedule you to see a qualified medical evaluator (QME). Your participation in this examination could shape the outcome in your case. You must know what steps to take should you be unable to attend this critical appointment. State officials randomly assign you to see a QME that has an office in select zip codes closest to your home. Your claim administrator may be willing to switch that assigned doctor out for one closer...