Manufacturing is a significant contributor to California’s economy, from the Tesla plant in Fremont to the food processing factories across the Central Valley. Still, while the industry helps communities thrive, it does come with a serious risk.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 355,800 workplace injuries were reported by manufacturers nationwide in 2023. If you are working in a factory, recognizing the most common injuries in your industry is crucial if you need to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Sprains, strains and overexertion injuries
These injuries often occur when you lift heavy materials, repeat the same motions or push your body beyond its limits. You might pull a muscle while loading shipments in a warehouse or strain yourself trying to meet quotas on the assembly line.
These types of injuries can develop over time or suddenly. Either way, they can prevent you from doing your job, earning a paycheck or worse, fulfilling your daily life needs and responsibilities.
Cuts and lacerations
Around factory equipment and moving parts, workers face risks from:
- Machinery with exposed blades or moving parts
- Falling materials or tools
- Automated equipment like conveyor belts
- Industrial vehicles like forklifts
A worker processing meat may suffer a deep cut from a knife or be injured by falling objects. These accidents often require immediate medical attention and can mean time away from work.
Repetitive motion and ergonomic injuries
Packaging, assembly line work and other similar tasks can involve the same motions hundreds, even thousands, of times a day. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, these strenuous activities lead to:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendinitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Neck strain from long periods at workstations
- Lower back pain and muscle strains
These may seem like small pains at first, but they can creep up on you. At first, you may notice tingling in your hand or pain that persists over time. Many workers ignore these early symptoms and continue to work, which can make the injuries worse.
What it means for you
If you suffered any of these injuries at work in Modesto or anywhere in California, document the incident and seek medical care right away. Benefits such as medical treatment and disability payments can be obtained through workers’ compensation.
California law gives you one year from the injury date to file a claim and requires you to report the injury to your employer within 30 days.
Nearly all California employees qualify for these benefits, including part-time workers, seasonal employees and undocumented workers. Your immigration status does not affect your right to file a claim.
Remember, injuries do not just cause you pain – they threaten your ability to support yourself and your family. Pursuing the right legal action can help during this difficult time.