Glendale California Workers' Compensation Blog

Job-related stress and auto accidents

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego posted in on-the-job accidents on Friday, February 8, 2019.

Motor vehicle collisions occur for different reasons, but a driver’s emotional state can play a key role in their ability to drive safely. Unfortunately, auto accidents happen because of road rage (and there are various reasons why drivers can become so angry), but they may be caused by other mental challenges as well. For example, someone may be extremely stressed out because of something they are going through at work, which could lead to an on-the-job crash. Or, their job may be so demanding that they are mentally drained, which can interfere with driving abilities.

Job-related stress may be temporary, or it could be chronic. For example, someone may be experiencing an unusual amount of stress due to a particular project, or they might have been struggling with chronic stress for years due to the demands of their job. Either way, this can be dangerous when it comes to driving, and an extremely stressed out driver may be more likely to make errors behind the wheel, drive too fast or exhibit some other example of dangerous behavior on the road.

How do I file a workers' compensation claim?

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego posted in workers' compensation on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

If you suffer an injury while at work in California, you can file a workers' compensation claim in most cases. You need to file your claim properly to ensure you do not get a denial. Luckily, the process is fairly easy and your employer should assist you upon learning of your injury. According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, your employer should start the workers' compensation claim process by giving you the form within one day of your injury. If your employer does not give you the form, you can download it from the website of the Department of Workers' Compensation.

Once you have the form, you should fill out everything in the employee section. You then give the form back to your employer. You can do this in person or by mail. If you mail it, make sure to use certified mail. Your employer then finishes filling out the form and submits it. You should get a copy of the completed form.

What are the risks of working with or around forklifts?

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego posted in on-the-job accidents on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

If you work around forklifts, you have to be aware of the risks they pose as they could result in a deadly situation. Whether you are the driver or simply a worker on the ground, a forklift can be a dangerous piece of equipment. Safety has to be the number one priority for everyone to avoid accidents. Your employer in California should also provide you with safety training.

The Business Journals explain the size and overall configuration of a forklift plays into its safety risks. For example, since it carries a load on the front, there is a lot of risk for overloading that makes the forklift front heavy. This could pose a tip over risk. In addition, the way it moves by swinging out and making wide turns also is a problem. You have to be aware of the forklifts weight limits and give it plenty of space to maneuver.

Nurse's aides suffer more injuries than construction workers

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

When you think of physically laborious jobs, certainly construction work would be in the top five. But many people may be surprised to learn that in comparison to construction workers, nursing assistants suffer nearly three times as many musculoskeletal injuries on the job.

In fact, mostly because of the lifting involved with their care of patients, nurse's aides suffer more injuries than workers in any other industries.

Could social media lead to a worker's compensation denial?

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego posted in workers' compensation on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

Most people use social media these days. Often social media accounts become almost like a public journal of daily happens and life moments. While social media can be a great way to connect with your friends in California and beyond, it can also spell trouble if you file a workers' compensation claim. According to Insurance Provider Group, investigators may use your social media postings and other public posts containing information about you to deny your workers' compensation claim.

Investigators have the job of ensuring you are telling the truth about your injuries and the extent of your disability. In the past, they might check up on your in person, but now, thanks to the internet and social media, all they need is a computer to validate your claims. If, for example, you post yourself on vacation waterskiing when you made a claim that you were unable to walk, this is a good piece of evidence against you. Furthermore, other people's posts about you may also provide usable information.

What are some common office injuries?

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego posted in on-the-job accidents on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.

When you think about on-the-job accidents and injuries in California, you may not immediately think about office work. While the dangers in an office may not be as scary as those on a construction site, there are many possibilities for injuries lurking in the halls and at the desks of office workers. You do not want to underestimate the risks of your job because that increases the chances you will suffer an injury.

The U.S. Department of Commerce explains many office accidents mirror those in other more dangerous worksites. A good example is falling. A fall can happen pretty much anywhere. They can also be very harmful. Office falls may occur from climbing ladders, walking on slick walkways or tripping over cords.

What are your options for reporting a safety violation at work?

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego posted in workplace injuries on Saturday, December 1, 2018.

When you were first hired for your job in California, you probably received training that informed you about how to do your job and how to manage any hazards that you may encounter along the way. Your employer may have even provided you with instructions for reporting hazards that could cause a danger to you and your coworkers. However, if your employer is showing negligence in assessing hazards and implementing solutions to mitigate their danger, you may be considering submitting a complaint to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you have several options for reporting a safety violation in your workplace. You could download a complaint form or even get a physical copy of one from your local OSHA office. Once filled out in its entirety with all of the applicable details, you can fax your response to the appropriate addressee. Another option is to go online and fill out a form and submit it in the same location. Finally, you could consider placing a phone call where you can speak with someone directly about your concerns.

Using a hazard control plan to reduce workplace injuries

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego posted in workplace injuries on Saturday, November 17, 2018.

Regardless of the industry in California, all workers face unique risks each day when they go to work. While some face a higher number of risks than others, each person must understand the hazards of their job and how to effectively mitigate them to stay safe at work and perform their job effectively.

According to Chron, there are many common reasons why workplace accidents happen in the first place. Some of the top reasons why people get hurt include the following:

Fatigue
Violence
Overexertion
Slips, trips and falls
Transportation accidents
Repetition of the same tasks

Reviewing the "Fatal Four"

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego posted in workplace injuries on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

Your work in construction allows you to personally contribute to the growth of cities like Glendale. Yet with these work-related rewards also comes the risks inherent with the construction industry. You likely understand that your job can be dangerous, yet are you familiar with the common dangers that practitioners in your field face? Many who come to see us here at Glauber Berenson Vego are not, yet they are often shocked to discover that the statistics showing such information are readily available. Furthermore, it is often surprising how, in light of this data, your employer may still not be adequately protecting you from common "on-the-job" risks.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has compiled workplace accident data to identify the dangers that America's workers face. Specifically in regards to the construction industry, they have identified what has come to be known as the "Fatal Four." These are the four most common causes of work-related fatalities amongst construction workers. The list includes falls, being struck by falling objects, electrocutions, or being caught in (or in between) equipment or work surfaces. All told, 63.7 percent of all construction industry fatalities in 2016 were attributed to the Fatal Four.

Falls at work can lead to many kinds of injuries

On behalf of Glauber Berenson Vego on Friday, November 2, 2018.

There's a reason that many companies require non-slip shoes for jobs ranging from manufacturing work to customer service. Workers who slip or fall while on the job can end up suffering serious injuries. In fact, falls are one of the leading causes of injury to workers in the United States. How much risk an employee has for a fall will vary depending on the job they perform.

Construction workers toiling at great heights are at higher risk of a fall then someone who works a register for a living. However, falls can happen to people who work in any industry. Wet floors, stairs and even slippery sidewalks could all contribute to a worker falling.