Workers’ Compensation for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers, including nurses, doctors, technicians, and support staff, face unique risks in their line of work. The nature of their job exposes them to a wide variety of potential injuries or illnesses, ranging from musculoskeletal injuries due to lifting patients, to exposure to infectious diseases, and even stress-related conditions. Workers’ compensation is designed to address occupational hazards like these. At present, healthcare workers do not benefit from some of the presumptions their colleagues in the field of first responders do. However, healthcare workers do profit from a presumption when it comes to the question of workers’ comp coverage for COVID-19.
If you are a healthcare worker injured on the job in Orange County or the Inland Empire, Invictus Law, P.C., can help ensure that your benefits are duly paid. Led by a board-certified workers’ compensation specialist, our firm helps workers whose claims are denied, unreasonably delayed, underpaid, or cut off prematurely in violation of California law.
Key Aspects of Workers’ Compensation for Healthcare Workers in California
In California, most healthcare workers are covered by workers’ compensation insurance from the first day of their employment. This coverage includes full-time, part-time, and even temporary workers. It’s important to understand that workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you can be eligible for benefits regardless of who was at fault for your injury or illness.
The benefits available to an injured healthcare worker can include all of the following:
- Medical Care: Pays for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury or illness.
- Temporary Disability Benefits: If you’re unable to work while recovering, these benefits replace a portion of the wages lost during this period.
- Permanent Disability Benefits: If you don’t fully recover and have lasting effects from your injury or illness, you may be entitled to permanent disability benefits.
- Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits: In cases where you cannot return to your previous job, these benefits can help cover the costs of retraining or skill enhancement.
- Death Benefits: In the tragic event of a fatality, dependents of the healthcare worker may be entitled to death benefits.
Common Healthcare Worker Injuries
Although most people think of construction or factory work as inherently dangerous, few people outside of the healthcare industry realize how dangerous this sector is. In fact, healthcare workers are injured far in excess of most other occupations. The nature of the job in the healthcare field makes workers prone to a wide range of injuries particular to their profession, including:
- Accidental needle sticks
- Back injuries from bending, stooping and heavy lifting to transfer patients between beds and stretchers
- Exposure to blood-borne pathogens
- Slips and falls
- Workplace violence committed by patients or their family members
- Hypertension and related illnesses from the stressful nature of the job
Police officers, firefighters, and other first responders benefit from a presumption that certain hypertension illnesses or heart conditions are job-related. At present, healthcare workers in California do not benefit from this presumption. That does not mean these illnesses cannot be job-related and compensable, but proving them is more difficult.
California law does include a presumption for healthcare workers who contract COVID-19 that the illness was job-related. This makes it easier for healthcare workers to get workers’ compensation for Covid, but employers can still rebut the presumption by showing the worker caught the virus away from work. Employers who wish to challenge the presumption for healthcare workers only have 30 days to do so.
Filing a Claim
If you’re a healthcare worker who has suffered a work-related injury or illness in California, it’s crucial to report the incident to your employer as soon as possible. The process typically involves:
- Reporting the injury to your employer.
- Filling out a workers’ compensation claim form (DWC-1).
- Seeking medical attention and informing the healthcare provider that your injury is work-related.
- Following up to ensure your claim is filed with the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
Why Choose Invictus Law, P.C.?
At Invictus Law, P.C., we have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare workers and are committed to advocating for their rights. Our board-certified workers’ compensation specialist can guide you through the complexities of the workers’ compensation system in California, ensuring you receive the full benefits you are entitled to. We are dedicated to providing personalized attention to each case, understanding the unique circumstances of every healthcare worker we represent.
Healthcare Workers: Contact Invictus Law, P.C. for Help With Workers’ Compensation Claims in Orange County and Inland Empire
Healthcare workers dedicate their lives to caring for others, and it’s only just that they receive proper care and support when they themselves are injured or fall ill due to their job. Understanding your rights under the workers’ compensation system is crucial. At Invictus Law, P.C., we are committed to ensuring healthcare workers in California receive the protection and compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you navigate your workers’ compensation claim with the expertise and compassion you need. Call 949-287-5711 or 88-9WORKLAW. From our offices in Orange and Ontario, we serve injured workers throughout Orange County and the Inland Empire.Top of Form
