If you are not able to work as a result of an injury or illness that took place on the job in Thousand Oaks, you may be qualified for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury occurs, you may find yourself losing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be an extremely stressful and uncertain time.

Thankfully, California law protects workers from negative fallout related to job injuries by requiring employers to carry workers compensation insurance.

What is Workers’ Compensation and How Does it Work?

Workers' compensation is a form of insurance that is purchased by an employer to protect their workers from job-related injuries and illness. It provides a safeguard for injured workers to ensure they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recuperate from an injury. Some jobs can be dangerous, and it should not be the responsibility of the employee to handle all the repercussions that come with an injury.

Under the California Workers' Compensation Act, individuals who are hurt on the job can get different kinds of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:

• missed income from time off work
• medical costs
• job training if you need to change professions
• death benefits if a worker dies in a work-related incident

Unlike a personal injury claim, workers can qualify for benefits regardless of being at fault for a work-related incident. However, injured workers can not recover compensation for damages typically granted in a personal injury claim.

Common Causes of Workplace Injuries

The top three leading causes of work-related injuries account for more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries on the job. This includes:

• overexertion and repetitive motion injuries
• slip and fall injuries
• injuries from contact with equipment and objects

Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries

Overexertion injuries can happen when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a job and becomes hurt. This includes lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing.

Repetitive motion triggered by stress or strain on some part of the body is due to the repetitive nature of the job. Common repetitive tasks include lifting boxes, typing on a computer, using a ten-key machine, sitting for long hours, and working on an assembly line.

Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents are among the most frequent on-the-job injuries. They account for 25% of yearly injury cases, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls at work involve falling from slippery floors, from tripping, and from heights like ladders, roofs, scaffolding, or other structures.

Injuries from Contact with Equipment and Objects

Contact with equipment and objects refers to injuries that occur when an individual is hit by something or bumps into something. This can include an employee being hit by a moving object, bumping into or being pushed in front of an object, being crushed in equipment, or being caught in cable or rope. It might also include incidents like a worker being struck or crushed by collapsing structures, equipment, or materials.

Workers' Compensation May Also Cover Occupational Illnesses

In addition to being hurt, employees can also get sick with an illness due to their job. When this occurs, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the costs.

Work-related illnesses include diseases that arise from hazardous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that happen at work include:

• Hearing loss
• Respiratory diseases
• Skin conditions
• Toxic chemical poisoning

Situations involving job-related illness are complicated for a few different factors. One of the main reasons is that you will need to prove that your illness was caused by your job, and not from some other factor like genetics or something that happened during your personal time. This is even more complicated by the fact that several illnesses develop over time, which makes them harder to notice and to identify the origin.

What Should I Do if I Am Hurt at Work?

If you get hurt during your employment, you should always report the incident, injury, or illness as soon as possible to your employer. This is important even if an injury seems minor. This, because injuries that seem small at first can end up being much more serious in the coming days or weeks.

For instance, an injury that may seem like only a strained muscle can end up being a sign of permanent nerve damage. Or a sore lower back from lifting a heavy object could be a disc herniation that needs surgery.

Furthermore, you should always have a work-related injury evaluated by a doctor. This is the only way to find out the extent of your injury, and what can be done to recover. This is especially important for stress or repetitive motion injuries. Here, making changes in the ergonomic environment may not only treat the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Furthermore, to preserve the long-term ability of an employee to maintain and carry on in his or her job.

Lastly, waiting too long to report an injury on the job may foreclose your right to claim any kind of workers' compensation benefits.

Should You Consult with a Thousand Oaks Workers' Compensation Lawyer?

Consequently, if suffer an on-the-job injury in Thousand Oaks, consult with the Thousand Oaks personal injury attorneys at Drake Law Firm. Don't go through these difficult times on your own. We are here to help you with your case. We know the causes and impacts of job accidents and injuries. Additionally, we understand the laws and regulations associated with workers' compensation in California and will work to maximize the compensation you receive.