Overexertion is a primary cause of workplace injuries. It occurs when someone pushes themselves beyond their physical limits, damaging part of the musculoskeletal system. Overexertion often occurs over time and can cause pain or an inability to handle specific job duties. Contacting a skilled workers’ compensation attorney for help during this process is wise.
Because it is not usually a single workplace accident, the steps to collect workers’ comp benefits are often confusing. An experienced Santa Ana overexertion injury lawyer understands your complex issues and could help you navigate the legal system.
Overexertion injuries can happen without the individual knowing they are harming themselves and may not cause pain immediately. The injuries may occur while using improper technique and lifting, pulling, or carrying heavy objects. Some of the common types include:
Workplace bodily harm may be acute, causing long-term consequences for the person. Therefore, receiving workers’ compensation to rest and recover while at home is crucial. During the consultation, a Santa Ana overexertion injury attorney could answer specific questions about the process and available coverage.
Employers in California with one or more employees must provide workers’ compensation coverage to everyone, including part-time workers. When companies fail to comply with the requirements of the regulations, they are subject to steep fines and criminal prosecution.
After sustaining overexertion injuries, reporting the injuries immediately and following all the requirements is crucial. A small error or misstep could result in unnecessary delays or denials, causing additional stress and worry. A Santa Ana lawyer well-versed in the nuances of overexertion injury cases could help navigate the steps and requirements and provide sound legal advice throughout the process.
Workers’ compensation insurance coverage allows Santa Ana residents to collect benefits depending on the unique details of their overexertion injury case, and a lawyer could explain this in more depth. According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, the following benefits are available to those who qualify after sustaining injuries on the job:
Employers pay for medical care and ongoing treatment benefits. If necessary, those who sustain injuries on the job may collect payments for physician appointments, procedures, services, devices, equipment, and travel.
Depending on the severity of the workplace injury, workers may be eligible to receive temporary disability and/or permanent disability benefits. Workers who cannot return to their position before the accident may qualify for other skill training or enhancement to obtain a new position, through a supplemental job displacement benefit voucher. Individuals who sustained an overexertion injury commonly have issues collecting temporary disability, including employers refusing to pay or providing lower payments than the law entitles them to collect.
When the injuries on the job are fatal, there are also death benefits available for families of the deceased. Payments may include up to $10,000 for burial expenses and $320,000 for their dependents.
Pain from overexertion injuries may start slowly and build over time, and many do not realize they damaged their musculoskeletal system until later. Unfortunately, that can be confusing, leading to problems with collecting workers’ compensation benefits.
A Santa Ana overexertion injury lawyer could help you each step of the way, ensuring you receive the coverage available to you. Call today to schedule an appointment and review your case and options this week.
