Common Workplace Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation in Los Angeles (2024)

Feb 16, 2024 | Workers Compensation

In Los Angeles, whether you work in film and entertainment or in the agricultural industry, a workplace injury can have serious negative consequences on your life both at work and at home. Fortunately, workers’ compensation can help you get the financial resources you need to recover from an LA workplace accident, and a workers’ compensation lawyer in Los Angeles can help you work toward securing those benefits.

If you have been injured while on the job in Los Angeles, you are likely wondering whether your particular injuries make you eligible for receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Having a general understanding of the Los Angeles workplace injuries that are commonly covered by workers’ compensation, as well as those that are not, can help support you in discerning whether or not your case is eligible.

Commonly Covered Los Angeles Workplace Injuries

Common injuries that occur while at work in Los Angeles can vary based on type and severity, and certain injuries are more frequently seen in specific sectors. For example, fall-from-height injuries are commonly associated with the construction and agricultural sectors that involve working from higher-up places. However, across all sectors in LA, the injuries that are commonly seen and qualify for workers’ compensation benefits include:

• Musculoskeletal Conditions: Some occupations, such as factory jobs or warehousing posts, require workers to carry out repetitive motions that strain the body. Carrying out such tasks over time can result in musculoskeletal conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis. Such conditions can be painful and restrict the movement of body parts.
• Harmful Substance Exposure Conditions: In Los Angeles, many workers are exposed to harmful substances or toxic chemicals every day. Examples include construction workers who are exposed to asbestos while working on old buildings and hotel and home cleaning professionals who come into contact with dangerous chemicals. Such exposure can damage the body, resulting in injuries such as burns or conditions like lung cancer.
• Fractures and Sprains: Accidents such as slip and falls, motor vehicle crashes, and heavy machinery crushings can lead to bone fractures or sprains, impacting a certain body part and the surrounding muscles and tendons. Elbow, knee, and shoulder fractures and sprains commonly happen at work in LA. They are especially common in the construction industry.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can commonly occur in the labor sector in Los Angeles, and they are also covered by workers’ TBIs can be minor, including concussions and whiplash, or can be serious and life-threatening, resulting in long-term reduced cognitive functioning that prevents victims from working in the future.

If you have been injured at work in Los Angeles or the surrounding areas and are unclear about whether your workplace injury can be covered by CA workers’ compensation, it’s important to get in touch with an experienced employment lawyer who can evaluate your case. They can take into account all the factors that govern your case, including the resulting injuries and their severity, and the nature of your accident to help determine whether your case is eligible for a workers’ comp claim.

FAQs

Q: What Injuries Does California Workers’ Compensation Not Cover?

A: While workers’ compensation in California covers an extensive number of injuries that occur at work in the state, there are some kinds of injuries that are not covered, including:

• Mental conditions that are not tied to an explicit event.
• Accidents perpetuated on purpose by an employee to cause harm or death to themselves or another person.
• Accidents in which the injured employee’s actions were particularly reckless or dangerous.
• Accidents that result in the injury of an employee who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Q: Do I Have to Prove Fault to Get Workers’ Compensation in Los Angeles?

A: No, you do not have to prove fault to get workers’ compensation in Los Angeles. If you have been injured in an accident at work in Los Angeles, then you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that can cover the damages associated with your injuries, including medical bills and lost wages, whether you caused the accident or not.

This is because California is considered to be a no-fault state when it comes to workers’ compensation claims cases. The downside to this is that you typically cannot sue your employer.

Q: What Is the Average California Workers’ Compensation Settlement?

A: The average California workers’ compensation settlement can vary drastically in California. Such amounts are dependent on a myriad of factors, including the earnings the claimant had prior to the accident, the amount of medical bills they have, whether they need vocational training, and the amount of time for which they are disabled.

The knowledge and experience of the workers’ compensation lawyer representing the case can also have an impact on the final settlement amount. Amounts can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars in benefits.

Q: What Should I Do If My CA Employer Is Refusing to Submit My Workers’ Comp Claim?

A: Under California law, your employer is not allowed to hinder, intimate, threaten, or initially slow you down from completing the workers’ compensation claims process. If your CA employer is refusing to submit your workers’ comp claim, it is important to reach out to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. A compassionate employment attorney can step in and represent you if your employer is attempting to breach your rights to workers’ comp benefits.

Secure the Compensation You Need for Your Workplace Injuries

All Los Angeles workplace injuries, even minor ones such as lacerations and mild burns, can have a lasting impact on an employee. This can change the way they see their workplace, making them more wary and mistrustful about their safety at work.

For this reason, a workers’ compensation lawyer in Los Angeles from Barry Law Group can listen to and address your concerns and the details of your case, helping you obtain the support you need to heal from your injury. Contact us today to get the legal support you need.