As a trusted workers’ compensation lawyer, James Koh offers top-tier legal assistance to injured employees across California. If you suffered serious injuries while performing your duties at work, you deserve financial help. Contact James Koh to explore your legal options.
Before the rise of the trade union movement in the early 20th century, injured workers had little in the way of recourse. Thankfully, California joined other states in enacting workers’ compensation laws in the 1910s. These laws revolve around one simple concept: Workers deserve compensation for injuries or illnesses that occur in the workplace.
Today, almost every working Californian is protected by workers’ compensation laws. That means when workers are injured at work while performing their job-related tasks, they can file a workers’ compensation claim to get the financial help they need. Despite being an invaluable resource to injured workers, the workers’ compensation system isn’t always easy to navigate.
With payment caps and strict eligibility requirements, workers’ compensation benefits can feel inaccessible to some workers in California — regardless of how deserving they are. This is especially true when workers suffer severe injuries like broken bones but don’t understand how to pursue a claim. Luckily, they don’t have to do it alone: James Koh can help them secure the benefits they deserve.
This article will explain how a dedicated workers’ compensation lawyer for broken bones can help you fight for maximum compensation after your work injury. It will also explore common causes of broken bone injuries at work, types of compensation available to workers, how to file a workers’ comp claim, and more.
Are you drowning in medical debt after a work-related bone fracture? A dedicated workers’ comp lawyer for broken bones can review your case and make sure you receive the maximum compensation you’re due. Contact James Koh to get started.
Common Causes of Broken Bones in the Workplace
According to California workers’ comp laws, you are entitled to compensation when you suffer a serious injury while performing job-related tasks. No matter what type of bone fracture you suffer, a workers’ compensation workers’ compensation lawyer for broken bones should be able to help you secure a percentage of your lost income and other benefits.
Although workers can experience bone fractures at work for a wide variety of reasons, some are more common than others. Here are a few of the most common causes:
- Slips, trips, and fall accidents, such as tumbling from a ladder or slipping on a wet floor
- Commercial vehicle accidents that occur while driving to complete job-related tasks
- Being struck by falling objects, such as being hit by tools, building materials, equipment, or merchandise
- Caught or “stuck in” accidents that occur when a worker gets pulled or caught in heavy machinery or is crushed underneath objects
- Repetitive motion injuries from performing the same task for days, months, or years
This is not an exhaustive list. Many other workplace accidents can result in broken bones, and regardless of occupation, California employees deserve compensation.
Types of Fractures and Broken Bones
Not all bone breaks are the same. Workplace injuries can result in a variety of different bone fractures, the symptoms and severity of which vary. The following are among the possible types of fractures workers may experience in an on-the-job accident:
- Simple fracture. Also called a closed fracture, this occurs when a bone breaks but does not pierce the skin. It is a common injury resulting from falls, impacts, and other accidents.
- Compound fracture. Also called an open fracture, this injury is more severe than a simple fracture and occurs when broken bones break through the skin. This increases the risk of infection and requires immediate medical attention.
- Stress fracture. A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone that often results from repetitive force, use, or repetitive motions rather than a single traumatic incident.
- Comminuted fracture. With this injury, a bone breaks into several pieces. It typically occurs as a result of a serious accident, such as a fall from a great height or a high-speed collision.
- Greenstick fracture. When the bone bends and cracks but does not completely break, it is called a greenstick fracture. Although this break is more common in children, it can also result from workplace accidents, particularly those involving young adults.
- Buckle fracture. Also called a torus fracture, this bone break occurs when a bone is bulged as a result of compression. In the context of a workplace injury, a buckle fracture may occur when a worker is subjected to a forceful impact.
- Transverse fracture. This fracture goes straight through the bone and is typically the result of a direct blow to the body.
- Oblique fracture. In oblique fractures, the bone has a sloped or curved pattern. It often occurs in longer bones when part of the bone is twisted or bent while the other part remains stable.
- Spiral fracture. Also caused by a twisting force, a spiral fracture is one in which the break spirals around the bone. It is especially common in workplace accidents where a limb is caught in moving machinery./li>
These are not the only types of bone fractures that impact workers. They may also suffer avulsion, hairline, and impacted fractures, as well as a range of other serious injuries.
Compensation for Broken Bone Injuries
Regardless of the type of fracture, employees who break bones while performing a work-related task deserve compensation. Luckily, they can pursue a range of benefits through a workers’ compensation claim.
Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits
When you file a workers’ compensation claim in California, your benefits may cover a range of injury-related medical expenses. This may encompass various medical bills and costs, including those for emergency medical care, x-rays and diagnostic testing, follow-up appointments, medications, physical therapy, and more.
Workers’ compensation may also cover a portion of your missed wages, providing you with a percentage of your weekly wage until you can return to work. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you may be able to secure disability benefits that extend indefinitely.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim
To file a workers’ compensation claim, you will need to report your accident and resulting injuries to your employer. Next, you will need to fill out Form DWC 1 and submit it to your employer. You may need to submit additional paperwork and documentation to successfully file your claim for benefits. Lastly, you will wait to see if your claim is approved.
What to Do if You Break a Bone at Work
In the direct aftermath of a serious work injury, navigating the logistics of your workers’ comp claim is probably the last thing on your mind. However, it’s important to remember that your actions after a workplace injury can tremendously impact your eligibility to pursue benefits.
The most important thing to do after sustaining a broken bone injury at work is to seek immediate medical care. Call for emergency treatment, and allow medical professionals to provide on-site treatment and then transport you to the hospital. Seeing a doctor right away will give you the necessary documentation to pursue a successful claim.
The next step is to inform your employer of your injury through a written notice and fill out the required forms. At this point, it’s a good idea to solicit legal advice from a legal professional. A workers’ compensation lawyer for broken bones can help you file forms and submit the necessary paperwork, making sure that your claim is maximized for success. They can also communicate with your employer and negotiate with their workers’ compensation insurance company on your behalf.
Lastly, you will wait for a decision on your claim. Remember: A denial is not necessarily the end of the line. If your claim is denied, your attorney can help you reapply and secure the benefits you deserve.
Contact James Koh: A Dedicated Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Broken Bones
California workers deserve protection from on-the-job injuries, and that’s exactly what workers’ compensation insurance can — ideally — provide. However, navigating the workers’ compensation system in California isn’t always easy. If you’re struggling with your workers’ comp claim, don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re alone. Attorney James Koh, a dedicated workers’ comp lawyer in California, is here to help. Contact James Koh to schedule a case evaluation and start fighting for the support you deserve.
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