The state’s workers’ compensation system may seem fairly straightforward. If you get hurt while working, your employer’s insurance will cover your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages to help you recover and return to work. In practice, the question of whether an injury qualifies you for these benefits can be more difficult to answer. What the system covers and does not cover is not always straightforward.
Understanding common types of workers’ compensation injuries in Santa Ana can be key to knowing when you may qualify for this type of claim and what benefits you may be eligible to receive. Here is a brief overview of the kinds of work-related trauma that our workers’ comp attorneys could help you with to construct a strong civil claim.
The most straightforward category of worksite trauma in Santa Ana that is likely to be covered by your employer’s insurance is an acute or specific injury. In other words, you suffered an immediate injury because of a single traumatic accident at your workplace that required some form of professional medical care. A claim could be based on various kinds of trauma, including deep cuts, bruises, muscle strains, tendon sprains, or broken bones.
Chronic injuries or cumulative trauma injuries—meaning a kind of injury that builds up over time due to repetitive movements or stress on a specific area of the body—may also entitle you to make a workplace benefits claim in Santa Ana. The injury should stem directly from your working conditions and the specific tasks you had to perform. For example, if you develop carpal tunnel syndrome from spending long hours typing on a keyboard at work, you may be eligible for medical benefits to help treat that condition in the short term and to improve your ability to work in the long term.
One thing many people in Santa Ana may not realize is that work-related diseases are also a category of condition that an employee could claim compensation for. Once again, your illness must be traceable to your working conditions. If that requirement is met, you could qualify for benefits for short-term and long-term illnesses, including influenza and cancer.
Nevertheless, injuries and illnesses that occur in certain scenarios may not qualify for making a work-related compensation claim in Santa Ana. In particular, if you injure yourself at work while acting recklessly, being intoxicated, or engaging in unlawful activities, you will not be able to claim damages from your employer. Injuries that occur while you are not on company time are also not covered—for example, while you are commuting between your home and your workplace.
This article is not a comprehensive summary of every medical condition that could justify a claim for work-related trauma. However, the process of building a case may be more complex than you expect. It can be difficult to get the outcome you deserve if you try to enforce your rights without proper legal advice.
Whether you are just starting the process of seeking benefits or need help resolving an issue with your ongoing claim, guidance from our experienced lawyers could make a difference in how smoothly your case goes and the amount of benefits you ultimately receive. Call today to learn more about the types of workers’ compensation injuries in Santa Ana that we could help you file a claim for.
