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TEACHER BATTERED IN THE HEAD BY STUDENT: INJURED WORKERS IN THE NEWS #78

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Edward Singer

In a highly publicized matter, a Teacher was reportedly battered as a result of taking away a video game from a child. According to the news account, the video showed the student charging towards the teacher and knocking her onto the ground. He stomped, kicked and punched her numerous times. As a result of the injuries, she lost her consciousness.

This matter will be discussed on a variety of issues.

If the Teacher Wrongly Took Away The Game From the Child, Would She Be Ineligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

No. From the facts known, the Teacher did not act as the initial aggressor in the incident. This is supported by the fact that Police have arrested the Student and he is being charged with a crime. Also, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. A mistake in taking away an item from a student causing an incident would not impact the eligibility for workers’ compensation.

If The Teacher Cannot Return to Teaching, Is Workers’ Compensation Her Only Means of Recovery?

In California, there is the State Teachers Retirement System which is known as CALSTRS. Assuming the Teacher works at a public school, she is entitled to pursue a disability retirement.

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.

LAX SHUTTLE BUS COLLIDES WITH PLANE: INJURED WORKERS IN THE NEWS, #76

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Edward Singer

A LAX Shuttlebus collided with a taxiing Airplane. It was reported that the plane struck the bus. The news account indicated that the cause of the injury was unknown.

As a result of the accident, both the Tug Driver and the Bus Driver may have both been injured and required hospitalization. nypost.com

This article will discuss the nature of fault with respect to an accident and its impact on a workers’ compensation claim.

Even if fault has not been established, can these Injured Workers pursue workers’ compensation claims?

Yes. Workers’ compensation is a “no fault” system. Thus, even if either the tug operator or the bus driver were negligent, both employees can pursue claims with their employer. Labor Code Section 3600(a) provides for compensation without regard to negligence. Absent any exception to the rule, it would appear that both workers have valid work injury claims.

If negligence was established against one of the drivers, can they still pursue a workers’ compensation claim?

Yes. An Injured Worker who got hurt as a result of their own negligence, in general, can pursue a claim. Labor Code Section 3600(a) provides for compensation without regard to negligence. Absent any exception to the rule, it would appear that both workers have valid work injury claims.

What if I Need Advice?

IWITN #44: Did Tossed Food At A Wendy’s Employee Cause A Work Injury?

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Edward Singer

Had a Wendy’s Frosty been involved, things could have been worse. It is reported that a Wendy’s Drive Thru Worker was assaulted by nuggets, fries, and a drink.

An unhappy customer contended that the bag the food came with a guarantee of hot and crispy food. She felt her order did not meet that standard. It is reported that “[s]he said that she got spicy nuggets instead of normal ones, saying they were burnt.” After profanity and outrage, it is reported she threw the bag of food at the worker. Fox10phoenix.com

Was There a Work Injury?

From the facts, it does not appear that a physical injury was sustained. A physical injury is a term used to describe orthopedic injuries or wounds. For example, if a glass bottle had been thrown and caused wounds, that would be considered as a physical injury. In this instance, the injury would be considered as a mental injury. From the facts, it is possible that the worker may have sustained a psyche injury. The news report indicated that the Worker was harassed, threatened, cursed at and had items thrown at her by an angry customer who overreacted. Such an injury would require the opinion of a mental health practitioner finding a psychiatric injury. A finding would require a diagnosis such as PTSD, Anxiety Disorder or Depression.

If The Worker Had Gotten The Food Order Wrong Which Triggered The Incident, Would That Effect the Validity of the Work Injury Claim?

In this instance, no. Workers’ Compensation is a “no fault” system. In this instance, even if the employee got food order was wrong, the resultant incident would still be covered within workers’ compensation. Labor Code Section 3600, lays out that “(a) Liability for the compensation provided by this division, in lieu of any other liability …shall, without regard to negligence.”

While workers’ compensation is no fault, good faith personnel actions may bar a psychiatric claim. Had there been no incident with the customer, a Worker being written up for improperly filling an order most likely would be considered a “good faith” personnel action.

What If I Need Advice?

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER’S ACCIDENT YIELDS MULTIPLE WORK-RELATED INJURIES: INJURED WORKER IN THE NEWS, #36

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Edward Singer

A horrific multi-vehicle crash occurred involving both a school bus and a dump truck. Many students were injured. It is reported that the police investigated that matter and that it is likely that no charges that would be filed for negligent operation of a vehicle. It is reported that both the dump truck driver and the school bus driver were trapped in their vehicles for an extended period of time and that one of them required medical treatment. There was no information in the article as to which driver, if any, was at fault. Dailymail.com

This article will address whether fault would matter in this case with respect to workers’ compensation.

Can Either Driver Pursue a Workers’ Compensation Claim in This Circumstance?

Under California Law, both drivers would be able to pursue a work injury claim. Workers’ Compensation is a “no fault” system for which the negligent operation of a vehicle causing an injury would not bar a claim. Thus, if one of the operators had missed a stop sign and that caused the accident, if would not bar the claim. In this instance, either operator could file a claim. Labor Code Section 3600 provides “(a) [l]iability for the compensation provided by this division, in lieu of any other liability whatsover….shall, without regard to negligence, exist against an employer for any injury sustained by his or her employees arising out of and in the course and scope of employment.”

What If I Need Advice?

A DOLPHIN ATTACKS TRAINER: INJURED WORKER IN THE NEWS, #30

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Edward Singer

In a Miami Aquarium, a Dolphin, “Sundance,” attacked his trainer. It was reported that the dolphin repeatedly struck the trainer and tried to pull the trainer down into the water. Apparently, the altercation may have been caused when the trainer had accidentally scratched the dolphin. After the attack, the visibly shaken trainer was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. www.local10.com

This article will discuss the legal issues of this incident within the California Workers’ Compensation System.

If the Trainer Accidentally Scratched the Dolphin and This Caused the Dolphin to Attack Him, Does This Bar The Trainer From Pursuing A Workers’ Compensation Claim?

No. Workers’ Compensation is a “no fault” system. Thus, an employee’s accidental contact causing an injury would not be a bar.

Does Applicant’s Animal Trainer Position Impact Their Compensation?

Yes. Permanent Disability assessment includes an injured worker’s employment class. This is called an Occupational Group Code. A job’s physical arduousness can increase the permanent disability. Per the Rating Manual, an Animal Trainer’s group number is 390. Since Animal Trainer’s job can be quite physical, there is a likelihood that they will received a higher rating for certain body parts versus an injured worker with a less arduous job. For example, a secretary’s occupational adjustment would not be as good as an Animal Trainer.

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