Healthcare professionals work demanding jobs that can routinely leave them vulnerable to significant risks. Workplace injuries are a widespread reality across the industry and nation, so it’s possible for medical staff to get hurt at work in California.
If you sustain healthcare worker injuries at Orange County hospitals, for example, workers’ compensation for nurses and medical staff should be available. If you need to file for benefits, turn to a workplace injury lawyer in Orange County.
The High Cost of Care: Healthcare Workplace Safety Statistics
California is the home of nearly 2 million healthcare employees, as more than 1.8 million people were estimated to be a part of this workforce in 2022. Of these workers:
- 53% worked in ambulatory settings
- 31% were hospital employees
- 16% worked in residential care and nursing facilities
Many nurses, physicians, and support staff work at premier institutions in The Golden State, like UCI Medical Center on The City Drive South in Orange, or Hoag Hospital on Hoag Drive in Newport Beach. For them, and workers in other places, the physical demands of the job range from manual patient lifting to exposure to hazardous substances. This can often lead to debilitating conditions that can jeopardize a career.
Common Healthcare Work Injury Claims
The year 2024 saw 688,575 work-related injuries and illnesses submitted to OSHA. Of these incidents, 189,838 were in the healthcare and social assistance sector.
A healthcare work injury claim can come about from many scenarios that are typically preventable as long as there are proper safety protocols in place. The nature of the injury often determines how complex the workers’ compensation case is and how much medical evidence is needed. Examples of common sources of injuries include:
- Overexertion and bodily reaction. This is a primary cause of injury for nurses, since they do a lot of lifting, repositioning, and transferring of patients that can lead to severe back, neck, and shoulder injuries.
- Slips, trips, and falls. Wet floors in high-traffic hospital halls or cluttered emergency rooms can contribute to fractures and head trauma.
- Workplace violence. Unfortunately, research finds that workplace violence against healthcare workers is a growing problem that impacts employees in this sector at higher rates compared to those in other industries.
If you’re injured in any of these ways or others, document every detail of your experience and try to get medical attention as soon as possible. If your employer or their insurance carrier tries to downplay how serious your condition is, you may need to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in Orange County who knows the ins and outs of workers’ compensation laws.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Workers in California have a right to temporary disability payments if they’re unable to perform their duties while recovering. These payments are typically a portion of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to state-mandated maximums.
It’s important for workers to make sure these calculations are accurate. When you choose to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, they can correctly value your claim and make sure it covers current hospital bills, future rehabilitation, and potential lost earning capacity.
Turn to Canlas Law Group, APLC
At Canlas Law Group, APLC, we’re dedicated to protecting the rights of healthcare professionals across Orange County. Nurses, physicians, and hospital staff face unique risks on the job, and we understand how overwhelming the workers’ compensation process can be. An Orange County workers’ compensation attorney on our team can provide clear, confident guidance to help medical employees get the benefits they deserve after a workplace injury.
We advocate tirelessly to achieve a fair resolution for clients’ claims. Our office, located near I-605 in Cerritos, proudly serves clients throughout Orange County and surrounding communities.
FAQs About Healthcare Worker Injuries at Orange County, CA Hospitals
How Much Compensation Can You Get for an Injury at Work in Orange County, California?
How much compensation you can get for an injury at work in Orange County, California, depends on several variables. These include how seriously you’re hurt, your pre-injury wages, and your permanent disability rating.
Compensation benefits typically cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment, temporary disability payments, and any permanent loss of physical or mental function. In cases involving major surgery or catastrophic injuries, settlements can be substantial.
What Types of Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Orange County, California?
In Orange County, California, the types of injuries that qualify for workers’ compensation are any that arise out of and occur in the course of employment. This includes specific traumatic incidents, like a fall in a hospital hallway.
It also includes trauma injuries that develop over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or chronic back pain from years of patient handling. Psychological injuries, such as PTSD resulting from workplace violence, also qualify under specific legal criteria.
What Is the Most Common Work-Related Injury for Healthcare Workers in Orange County, California?
Some of the most common work-related injuries for healthcare workers in Orange County, California, and in other places include overexertion and musculoskeletal disorders. A study conducted over a 7-year period found that overexertion and bodily reaction occurred at 38% in nursing and residential care facility workers.
These injuries are likely to occur during manual patient handling tasks, such as lifting or transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs. Falls, slips, and trips are also common.
What Is the Average Workers’ Compensation Settlement for Rotator Cuff Surgery in Orange County, California?
There is no single average workers’ compensation settlement for rotator cuff surgery in Orange County, California. The final value is determined by the specific impact on your future ability to work. Still, since these injuries often require extensive surgery and months of physical therapy, settlements can be significant. Payouts include the cost of the surgery, post-operative care, and an indemnity amount based on your permanent disability rating.
Secure Your Professional Future Today
If you’ve been injured while serving the patients of Orange County, don’t leave your recovery to the discretion of an insurance adjuster. The choices you make in the first few weeks following an injury can impact your benefits for years to come. Contact Canlas Law Group, APLC, today for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you navigate the path to justice.
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