Injuries that Qualify for Workers’ Compensation
It is a common myth that only life-threatening, catastrophic injuries merit workers’ compensation benefits. If a work-related injury interferes with your life, your ability to perform daily activities, or limits your ability to do your job, report it to your employer as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not it seems immediately life-threatening or severe. In many cases, initial symptoms develop and grow into far worse conditions, such as in cases of toxic exposure, mental health damage, repetitive stress injuries.
Ailments that may merit workers’ compensation benefits include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Brain or spine injury
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or materials
- Amputation
- Catastrophic bodily injury
- Physical, mental, or emotional trauma
- Repetitive strain/stress injuries
- Slips and falls
- Injuries inflicted by falling objects or faulty machinery
- Injuries inflicted by co-workers
- Illnesses and infections developed as a result of unsanitary work conditions
Workers’ Compensation v. Personal Injury
If you are severely harmed in a work-related accident and your employer is quick to offer workers’ compensation benefits, this should give you pause. Workers’ compensation provides very limited, short-term financial support and may not be enough to provide you and your loved ones with the money you need for hospital bills, medication, surgery, rehabilitation, therapy, and other large or long-term expenses. Once you begin accepting workers’ comp benefits, you relinquish your ability to pursue a personal injury suit, even if workers’ comp ultimately falls short of the total amount of your injury-related costs.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Independent Contractors
All employers are required under California Labor Code Section 3700 to purchase workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. If your employer is covered, you are likely covered as well and theoretically should have access to workers’ comp benefits. However, determining which workers are covered by an employer’s workers’ comp insurance policy can get dicey in some cases and create confusion for injured workers.
Sometimes independent contractors and other categories of employees experience difficulty recovering compensation for work-related injuries. However, keep in mind that you are not necessarily ineligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits just because your boss says so. Regardless of your position or status within your company, you should always report job-related injuries and workplace accidents to your employer. Then, speak with a workers’ compensation attorney immediately if you are denied workers’ comp benefits.
Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Orange County, CA
Whether you are experiencing low-level pain or living with severe pain after a disastrous accident, you may need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to make sure you receive the financial support you deserve, and no less. If worker’s comp will not sufficiently make up for your injury-related costs or your employer is denying you benefits, you will need a tough Orange County personal injury lawyer to build your case and hold the responsible parties accountable.
At Humphrey & Associates, our mission is to serve working people like you and help you get the compensation you need to afford the often-daunting cost of medical care and recovery. No matter your injury, we would like to discuss the details of your case and partner with you in your journey toward recovery.
Schedule your complimentary consultation with us by sending us a message or calling us at (844) 612-5800 today.