The trajectory of your life could change if a falling object strikes you while you are at work. This could happen on a construction site, at an industrial plant, inside a warehouse, at a retail store, or anywhere else you are required to be for your job. You might have to cope with a loss of income due to your injury or even a permanent loss of earning capacity if you have experienced severe brain trauma or another permanent injury. You may also be dealing with medical expenses associated with your accident.
Workers’ compensation can be a crucial source of income as you recover, and support from a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney can be vital to getting the best possible outcome from your claim. A dedicated Santa Ana falling objects injury lawyer from our firm could help ensure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to under state law.
With very few exceptions, all California employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage to their employees. That coverage should be available to any covered worker who gets hurt or sick while performing a work-related task. Notably, the term work-related, as used here, includes tasks explicitly listed in an employee’s job description as well as all actions taken by that employee while on the clock and acting within the scope of their employment.
For example, workers’ comp should cover both an injury caused by an object falling off a warehouse shelf and striking a worker who is picking an order at the time, as well as an injury caused by something falling off a high shelf and striking a worker who is just entering the warehouse to start their shift. That said, how work-related is defined within a particular claim may be subjective, so working closely with one of our seasoned Santa Ana falling objects injury attorneys could be essential to receiving benefits.
Workers’ compensation should provide full reimbursement for all medical treatment deemed “reasonably necessary” to help someone injured by a falling object impact at work reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). In the context of workers’ comp, MMI refers to the point at which a treating physician determines that an injured worker is as close to their pre-accident condition as they can reasonably achieve.
A qualified lawyer can help an injured worker seek partial reimbursement of lost work income through workers’ compensation if a falling object injury in Santa Ana results in the affected worker being unable to perform their regular job duties for several working days. This compensation is usually equal to two-thirds of their average pre-injury weekly wage. Finally, if a worker reaches MMI but still cannot perform some or any of their former job duties, they may be eligible to have their temporary disability benefits extended into permanent disability benefits, receive job retraining services, or access other forms of support through workers’ compensation.
A strike from a heavy object falling on your arm, leg, or especially your back can be debilitating, even if you were wearing a hard hat or other form of protection. Fortunately, no matter what type of trauma you have suffered from an incident like this, you likely have access to benefits through your employer that could be key to keeping your finances stable and your career intact.
A Santa Ana falling objects injury lawyer from our firm can help you understand and take full advantage of your rights under state law after a workplace accident. Call us today for a consultation.