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WORKERS’ COMPENSATION IN THE NEWS #8: CAN A FIRE CAPTAIN FINGER LIABILITY ON A PROPERTY OWNER FOR A WORK INJURY?

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Edward Singer

In Los Angeles, a horrific property fire happened at a Vape Shop which included an explosion. As a result, a number of firefighters sustained injuries trying to put out the fire. A Fire Captain sustained serious injuries which included the loss of fingers.

It was reported that he is now suing the property owner for negligence. The allegations of negligence concerned the owner’s storage of both nitrous oxide and butane containers in excess. Dailymail.com

Was the Fire Captain’s Injuries a Workers’ Compensation Injury?

Yes. The Fire Captain was in the course and scope of his duties when putting out the fire. Therefore, he is entitled to pursue a workers’ compensation case.

If the Fire Captain Filed the Civil Suit Against the Property Owner, Can He Still File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Yes. Many Work Injuries are caused by Third Parties. A Third Party is someone other than the Employer. Based upon the alleged facts, the Fire Captain could pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a civil lawsuit. He did not have to choose between one or the other.

Can an Injured Worker Collect Separately From Both a Workers’ Compensation and a Civil Claim?

Not necessarily. Many times, the Insurance Company for the Workers’ Compensation will join in the Civil Lawsuit. This is called subrogation. They, like the Injured Worker, are entitled to collect a recovery from Third Party that was liable for the work injury. The division of the proceeds from a Civil Action would be dependent on the facts. For example, if the Workers’ Compensation Insurance paid out a lot of money in medical care, their lien on the Third Party case may be quite substantial. They would command a considerable amount.

Is There Any Special Benefits a Fire Captain Can Receive from This Work Injury?

Yes. There are two special benefits. First, the Fire Captain is entitled to salary continuation for up to one year pursuant to Labor Code Section 4850. Second, the Fire Captain, due to finger amputations would be entitled 240 weeks of TTD benefits as opposed to the 104 week limitation. This is per LC 4656.

Why Would the Fire Captain File a Civil Claim?

A Civil Claim provides for different types of damages. For example, wage loss would be a factor. In light of the Fire Captain’s loss of fingers, he may have substantial wage loss as his firefighting career may be over.

What If I Need Legal Advice?

If you would like a free consultation concerning any workers’ compensation case, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. They have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their worker’s compensation cases for 28 years. Contact us today for more information.

UPPER EXTREMITY SURGERY, POST-OPERATIVE VISITS AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Edward Singer

Workers’ Compensation Studies will often provide Injured Workers insight as to Insurance Companies’ and Medical Providers’ tactics. Injured Workers often feel like there is an agenda working against them. A recent study about post-operative visits for Upper Extremity Surgery raises concerns.

This article will discuss Upper Extremity Surgery, the Study’s results and the Study’s implications for Injured Workers.

What Are Upper Extremity Surgeries?

In the workers’ compensation system, upper extremities can fit into two categories.

First, there are traumatic injuries which require surgeries. A skill saw accident involving amputation is one which may require extensive and specific procedures.

Second, there are surgeries that are due to Occupational Illness. These surgeries are most likely related to repetitive trauma.

One common occupational illness surgery is carpal tunnel.

What Are Typical Workers’ Compensation Upper Extremity Surgeries?

Typical workers’ compensation surgeries, which were also the subject to the Study, are Carpal Tunnel Release, Trigger Finger Release, Cubital Tunnel Release, and De Quervains.

With respect to these surgeries, sometimes two or more of these procedures can be done at the same time.

What Did the Study Find?

The study found that workers’ compensation patients have more post-operative visits after surgery than non-industrial surgeries. Henry TW, Townsend CB, Beredjiklian PK. Workers’ Compensation Status Confers a Greater Number of Postoperative Visits After Common Upper Extremity Surgeries. Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14629. Published 2021 Apr 22. doi:10.7759/cureus.14629

The study viewed these additional visits as being an additional cost which could be targeted for saving. Telehealth appointments were suggested as a means of lowering costs. Also, there is the concern overburdening the providers with additional appointments.

Comment: Workers’ compensation claims have reporting obligations. Therefore, there is a greater need for appointments. Likewise, there are return to work issues which may also cause the need for additional post-operative appointments.

Further, non-industrial patients, if they are satisfied with their result, may be inclined to cancel or not follow through with post-operative appointments. Thus, there are a number of drivers in the workers’ compensation system which cause more appointments than non-industrial patients. The notion of telehealth evaluations, however, may be of value. In matters where there is excellent post-surgery healing, an actual appointment with the provider may not be so important. A telehealth evaluation may suffice.

Besides Costs, What Are Other Concerns in the Workers’ Compensation System Claims involving Upper Extremities?

Risk Management concerns on post-operative cases include the Injured Worker’s compliance with treatment, their functional outcome, their symptom relief, their return to work and their satisfaction. Henry TW, Townsend CB, Beredjiklian PK. Workers’ Compensation Status Confers a Greater Number of Postoperative Visits After Common Upper Extremity Surgeries. Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14629. Published 2021 Apr 22. doi:10.7759/cureus.14629

What If I Need Advice?

If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for 27 years. Contact us today for more information.

DUPUYTREN’S DISEASE(DD) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Edward Singer

Dupuytren’s Disease (DD) is an upper extremity disorder. DD has been a source of controversy with respect to whether it should be considered as an industrial injury. If DD is considered an industrial injury, then the Injured Worker suffering from the disorder would be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These would include medical treatment and disability compensation. A recent study addressed industrial causation of the condition and made interesting findings.

This article will discuss Dupuytren’s Disease (DD), industrial causation for DD, the study’s results, and what it means to Injured Workers.

What Is Dupuytren’s Disease (DD)?

Dupuytren’s disease (DD) results in “the chronic contracture of the fourth and/or fifth finger of the hand towards the palm and is usually accompanied by a thickening of the palmar skin. These clinical manifestations significantly impair and restrict hand functioning.” Murínová L, Perečinský S, Jančová A, Murín P, Legáth Ľ. Is Dupuytren’s disease an occupational illness? Occup Med (Lond). 2021 Feb 6;71(1):28-33. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa211. PMID: 33420499.

Why is Dupuytren’s Disease Important for Workers’ Compensation?

Per mayoclinic.org, “Dupuytren’s contracture can make it difficult to perform certain functions using your hand. .. as Dupuytren’s contracture progresses, it can limit your ability to fully open your hand, grasp large objects or to get your hand into narrow places.” These activities are both labor disabling and can impact the performance of activities of daily living. Thus, DD can be the basis for impairment within workers’ compensation and would therefore translate into a permanent disability percentage.

In sum, if DD is work-related, it is likely an injury for which a permanent disability award is possible.

What Work Activities Did the Study Find That Impact DD?

There are two types of work activities that have been implicated as a source of causation for industrially-related DD. They are working with vibrating tools and performing heavy manual labor.

There are many tools used in the work force that vibrate. For example, jackhammers and power saws. The study used involved workers who used hand-held pneumatic rock drills.

Heavy manual labor can take place in various occupations. Heavy labor that was used in the study was working involving “prolonged, heavy, physical labour that required strength and energy, and included lifting, lowering, pulling, pushing or carrying a load.”

The theory behind these two types of activities is that they can cause cumulative micro-traumas which then can cause impairment of the micro-circulation in the hands. Murínová L, Perečinský S, Jančová A, Murín P, Legáth Ľ. Is Dupuytren’s disease an occupational illness? Occup Med (Lond). 2021 Feb 6;71(1):28-33. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa211. PMID: 33420499.

It was noted that risk was 4-fold for vibrating tools and 3-fold for heavy manual labor compared to controls. Supra.

“A significant independent association was found between DD and HTVs (OR 4.59; 95% CI 2.05–10.32) and HMW (OR 3.10; 95% CI 1.21–7.91).” Supra.

In the Study, Was the Length of Time Performing the Injurious Activities Significant?

Yes. They study found the length of exposure to be significant. This was especially the case when there was at least 15.5 years of employment. “Exposures that lasted for more than 15.5 years were sensitive and specific predictors for the presence of DD.” Murínová L, Perečinský S, Jančová A, Murín P, Legáth Ľ. Is Dupuytren’s disease an occupational illness? Occup Med (Lond). 2021 Feb 6;71(1):28-33. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa211. PMID: 33420499.

In the Study, Did Age Matter?

Yes. The study noted “[w]hile DD was more common in older patients, it was much more frequent in exposed subjects compared to controls across all age categories.” Murínová L, Perečinský S, Jančová A, Murín P, Legáth Ľ. Is Dupuytren’s disease an occupational illness? Occup Med (Lond). 2021 Feb 6;71(1):28-33. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa211. PMID: 33420499.

Is There Any Limitation to the Study?

Yes. The study was limited to only men. Thus, additional studies beyond this one would assist is a female injured worker making a DD claim. Murínová L, Perečinský S, Jančová A, Murín P, Legáth Ľ. Is Dupuytren’s disease an occupational illness? Occup Med (Lond). 2021 Feb 6;71(1):28-33. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa211. PMID: 33420499.

What If I Need Advice?

FINGERTIP INJURIES AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Edward Singer

Upper Extremity Injuries are very common in an occupational setting. Upper Extremity Injuries can include injuries to the fingertip. Fingertip injuries can involve an amputation.

In the general population, “[i]t is estimated that as many as 45,000 finger amputations are performed in the US per year with an incidence rate of 7.5/100,000 people.” Kawaiah A, Thakur M, Garg S, Kawasmi SH, Hassan A. Fingertip Injuries and Amputations: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020;12(5):e8291. Published 2020 May 26. doi:10.7759/cureus.8291

This article will discuss Fingertip Injuries, causes of fingertip injuries, treatment for fingertip injuries, a special workers’ compensation law with respect to amputation cases, and issues relating permanent disability.

What is the Fingertip? Why is It Unique?

Fingertips are unique. “The tip of the digit comprises virtually all tissue components present elsewhere in the body: skin, bone, joint, synovial membrane, ligaments, tendons, tendon sheaths, arteries, veins, lymphatic channels, nerves, and advanced nervous end organs.” Kawaiah A, Thakur M, Garg S, Kawasmi SH, Hassan A. Fingertip Injuries and Amputations: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020;12(5):e8291. Published 2020 May 26. doi:10.7759/cureus.8291

Thus, a traumatized tip can experience a variety of symptoms. These symptoms and factors of impairment can include tenderness, sensitivity to cold, discoloration, and deformity. Kawaiah A, Thakur M, Garg S, Kawasmi SH, Hassan A. Fingertip Injuries and Amputations: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020;12(5):e8291. Published 2020 May 26. doi:10.7759/cureus.8291

What Are Common Causes of Fingertip Injuries?

Many occupational hand injuries involve metal items. The metal items can include hand tools which include blades. On a personal note, I have had fingertip injuries occur on table saws in which safeties have been removed. Also, I have had fingertip injuries in which the hand accidentally went into a piece of moving machinery.

Fingertip injuries can also occur as a result of sharps. Sharps are devices that are used to cut. These include many items used in the medical field such as auto injectors, connection needles and sets, infusion sets, lancets, needles, and syringes.

Sharp injuries can result in lacerations, amputations, or neurovascular injuries. Kawaiah A, Thakur M, Garg S, Kawasmi SH, Hassan A. Fingertip Injuries and Amputations: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020;12(5):e8291. Published 2020 May 26. doi:10.7759/cureus.8291

What Are Goals of Treatment?

Treatment goals for fingertip injuries include restoration of sensation of the tip, improving the durability of the tip, and providing for proper bone support to allow for nail growth. Kawaiah A, Thakur M, Garg S, Kawasmi SH, Hassan A. Fingertip Injuries and Amputations: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020;12(5):e8291. Published 2020 May 26. doi:10.7759/cureus.8291

What Problems Can Arise from a Fingertip Injury?

Problems arising from fingertip injuries can include deformities, intolerance to cold, skin tenderness, stiffness, and long-term functional loss. Kawaiah A, Thakur M, Garg S, Kawasmi SH, Hassan A. Fingertip Injuries and Amputations: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020;12(5):e8291. Published 2020 May 26. doi:10.7759/cureus.8291

How Is a Fingertip Injury Treated?

Due to the complexity and importance of the fingertip, there are many issues that can present. There are concerns with respect to psychological factors that can present with such injuries.

Also, there may be issues of pain syndromes that can occur as a result of a fingertip injury. These pain syndromes can even occur in the case of minor contusion. Approach to Fingertip Injuries Patricia Martin-Playa, MD, Anthony Foo, MD* Clin Plastic Surg 46 (2019) 275–283 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2019.02.001

Treatment can include repairing the skin by stiches or glue, skin grafting, reconstruction, composite grafts, flap reconstruction, bone graft, nail complex reconstruction.

Are There Psycho-Social Factors Issues with Fingertip Injuries?

Yes. Fingertips are an extremely important part of the body. They are used frequently during the day for a variety of tasks. Fingertip injuries can impact one’s occupation and their participation in hobbies. For example, a fingertip injury may impact on one’s ability to perform a musical instrument.

Fingertips are usually visible to the public. Therefore, there can be an emotional impact on the patient.

Fingertip injuries that are part of a workers’ compensations have secondary motivation issues. For instance, the patient may have concerns about disability status and impairment.

Fingertip injuries can be subject to clinical bias. For example, medical practitioners may view the severity of the injury differently from the patient. Approach to Fingertip Injuries Patricia Martin-Playa, MD, Anthony Foo, MD* Clin Plastic Surg 46 (2019) 275–283 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2019.02.001

Is There a Special Law for Amputation Cases?

Yes. In the case of amputations, total temporary disability benefits are extended out to 240 weeks from 104 weeks. This is pursuant to Labor Code Section 4565(c)(3)(c.)

What Type of Permanent Impairment Can Arise from A Fingertip Injury?

Fingertip injuries can cause many types of impairments. There are impairments that relate to amputations, there are impairments that relate to skin conditions, there are impairments that relate to nerve damage, there are impairments which relate to loss of function such as range of motion. Also, there may be a pain impairment add-on.

What if I Need Advice?