Modesto Health Care Worker Injury Lawyers
As a health care worker, you devote your life and your career to caring for others. While it can be a rewarding field to work in, it also carries the risk of serious injury. Workers’ compensation can provide health care workers in California with the ability to seek the care, coverage, and treatment they need after getting hurt. However, obtaining it can be easier said than done. Our team of attorneys at The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson has spent over three decades advocating for the needs and rights of health care workers who suffer injuries on the job. We understand the unique risks and challenges people in medical professions can face. We are committed to doing the challenging work necessary to help you obtain the benefits you deserve.
If you are a health care worker in the Central Valley and suffer a serious workplace injury, contact the firm today by calling 209-222-4089.
Common Injuries Health Care Workers Face
Health care workplaces, such as hospitals, outpatient facilities and private practices, can be incredibly fast-paced and physically demanding. Some of the main injuries health care workers can face in these environments include:
- Exposure to infectious diseases
- Physical assaults from violent patients
- Fractures or breaks from lifting patients or objects
- Injuries from repetitive motions
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Needlestick injuries
As a nurse, hospital staff member, caregiver, or medical assistant, you have rights and protections under California workers’ compensation laws.
Workers’ Compensation Eligibility For Health Care Workers
If you suffer an injury as a health care worker, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In California, workers’ compensation benefits are meant to cover things like a percentage of your gross wages and medical treatment associated with your injury for a specific period of time. Our lawyers at The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson can help you gather all of the evidence and submit all the necessary paperwork for pursuing workers’ compensation. We commit ourselves to providing you with the coverage you need to recover from your injury with peace of mind.
Benefits Available After A Workplace Injury
After a health care-related workplace injury, you may be eligible for a range of benefits, including:
- Medical treatment
- Physical therapy
- Medications related to the injury
- Therapy or psychological counseling
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
Our firm’s dedicated attorneys can fight tenaciously for the amount of money and types of benefits you need so you can focus on your recovery.
Dealing With Denied Claims
If your employer or their insurance provider denies your workers’ compensation claim, it can be incredibly frustrating. If that happens, our attorneys at The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson can help you appeal the denial and continuously advocate for what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Care Worker Injuries In California
Health care professionals often have questions about their rights after a workplace injury. Below are answers to some of the concerns we hear most often from nurses, caregivers, technicians and other medical workers throughout California.
Can nurses receive workers’ compensation benefits in California?
Yes. Registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and many other health care employees are generally covered by California workers’ compensation laws when they suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. Coverage may include medical treatment, temporary disability payments and permanent disability benefits when appropriate. Whether the injury results from lifting a patient, a fall or repeated physical demands, reporting the incident promptly and seeking medical care can help protect your claim.
Are patient lifting injuries covered by workers’ compensation?
Patient handling is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the medical field. Back strains, shoulder injuries, herniated discs and muscle tears can occur even when proper lifting techniques are used. If the injury happened while performing your job duties, workers’ compensation benefits may be available regardless of whether the injury developed suddenly or over time. Medical documentation and timely reporting are often important parts of the claims process.
Can health care workers receive benefits for needlestick injuries?
Needlestick injuries can expose health care workers to serious bloodborne illnesses and often require immediate testing, treatment and follow-up care. California workers’ compensation may cover emergency medical evaluation, diagnostic testing, preventive medications and any necessary treatment related to the exposure. Even if no illness develops, reporting the incident immediately creates an official record and helps protect your rights should complications arise later.
What should I do if my workers’ compensation claim is denied?
A denial does not necessarily mean you are ineligible for benefits. Claims may be disputed because of missing documentation, disagreements about how the injury occurred or questions regarding medical evidence. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can review the denial, gather additional records, obtain supporting medical opinions and represent you throughout the appeals process. Many injured health care workers successfully recover benefits after challenging an initial denial. Acting quickly is important because California law imposes deadlines that may affect your ability to pursue compensation and continue receiving the medical care and wage replacement benefits you need.
Work With Seasoned Northern California Workplace Injury Attorneys
As a health care worker, you deserve to receive care and treatment too after you suffer a serious injury. That’s why our legal team at The Law Office of Gary C. Nelson has devoted so many years to helping doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other medical professionals aggressively pursue the benefits they need.
Schedule a free consultation today by visiting our firm’s contact page or by calling 209-222-4089.