There are 14 states in the country that require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for all their agricultural workers, and California is one of them. This means that any farmer who gets injured on the job can have full access to medical treatment, rehabilitation programs and wage loss compensation.
Here are four common types of farming injuries and illnesses covered by California’s workers’ compensation benefits:
Crush injuries
Farmers work on fields using heavy machinery like tractors, seed drills, harvesters and rollers. This makes their daily operations significantly dangerous, as even a simple equipment malfunction can result in a bone-crushing accident and even death.
Heat-related illnesses
Agricultural workers have labor-intensive routines that often involve working in hot weather for prolonged periods. This strenuous activity can cause heat-related illnesses such as: heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps, heat syncope and rhabdomyolysis.
Respiratory diseases
Prolonged exposure to agricultural chemicals and dusty fields are the most common sources of respiratory diseases in the farming industry. Although these illnesses develop gradually, they can cause serious health conditions like farmer’s lung, organic dust toxicity syndrome (ODTS) and silo fillers disease.
Electrocution
Farmers who use faulty electrical tools or work near power lines are at most risk of electrical shocks. These tragic accidents can also happen during improper installation or maintenance of electrical systems, such as those used in irrigation.
All farmers in California may seek financial aid
Under California law, all agricultural laborers — including undocumented workers — can file for a workers’ compensation benefit. If you have been injured while on the job, seek medical treatment as soon as you can and submit your claim through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.