young athlete on doctor's table as doctor reviews his skull x rays

BURGER INSANITY: INJURED WORKER IN THE NEWS #17

It is reported that a Fast-Food Worker was assaulted and shot in the face by twin sisters. This assault was apparently triggered over a dispute over a $3.00 hamburger that was missing from an order.  According to the police, the sisters “proceeded to attack (Mr.)Rodriguez and one of them shot him in the face while he was down.” dailymail.com 

Videotape showed that the worker was punched in the face, wrestled to the group and shot in the face.  The injury was described as “'[t]he bullet went through [his] upper lip and took out [his] upper teeth and cracked [his] bottom teeth, so those will have to be replaced,’ Rodriguez said.  He also had to use a neck brace to stabilize a part of his spine which was fractured by the bullet. “ dailymail.com

Can Dental Problems Be Work-Related?

In California, dental injuries are included in workers’ compensation.  Therefore, dental care is also included within medical care.  So, if the Injured Worker needed to have teeth replaced, it will be done.  Likewise, the medical care includes future medical care.  So, if any dental repair needs to be done to the repaired teeth, the additional dental care will be provided.

What Type of Workers’ Compensation Injuries May Be Claimed Given These Facts?

From the facts, it would appear that the Injured Worker may have sustained dental injuries, orthopedic injures, possible cosmetic injuries,  a head injury and a psychiatric injury.  Reporting of medical professionals are necessary to determine the nature and extent of the Injured Worker’s problems.

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.

 

A Walgreen’s Worker Punched in the Face: Injured Worker in the News # 14

In New York, in a Walgreens aka Duane Reade Store, a Pharmacy Worker was punched in the face by a shoplifter. It is reported that the shoplifter “approached by a 21-year-old woman store employee who directed him to put the items back, the man allegedly punched the worker in the face, grabbed her hair and threw her to the ground, according to the NYPD.” nypost.com

This article will discuss the various injuries that Pharmacy Worker may have sustained.

Can There Be Physical and Mental Injuries in Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ Compensation in California allows for both physical and mental injuries.  In this instance, there may have been injury to her head, her scalp and other musculoskeletal injuries.  The mental injury can be a psychological injury such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Are There Any Unique Injuries In This Matter?

Yes.  The punch to the face could have caused a facial injury.  This could have resulted in a cosmetic disfigurement.  Likewise, there may be a neurological injury.  The Worker may have sustained a concussion.

In sum, this Worker’s injury claim may involve multiple body parts and multiple medical concerns.

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.

SAN FRANCISCO LIBRARY SECURITY GUARD SUFFERS PIT BULL BITE INJURIES: INJURED WORKERS IN THE NEWS, #11

Dramatic footage shows a San Francisco Library Security Guard viciously attacked by a Pit Bull.  Fellow Officers rescued their co-worker from the dog. dailymail.com

At the time of the incident, the Library Security Guard had been trying to administer narcan medication to a library patron who has passed out.  The patron’s pet was apparently the pit bull which attacked the Security Guard and bit onto his arm.

It is reported that the security guard was is hospitalized with serious injuries

Is This A Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Yes. The San Francisco Library Security Guard can pursue a workers’ compensation claim.  This injury arose and out employment and was within the course and scope of employment. He should be eligible to receive benefits.  For example,  the hospitalization medical bills should be paid in full by workers’ compensation.

What Can Be Claimed For This Security Guard?

The Security Guard may have sustained extensive injuries to multiple body parts and systems. From the facts, it appears that the bite caused a hand injury.  He may require treatment within a variety of medical specialties.  For the bite, he may need to treat with an infectious disease doctor with respect to possible rabies. For scars, he may need to treat with a dermatologist.  For muscular skeletal  injuries, he may need to treat with an orthopedist.  For post traumatic tress issues, he may been to treat with a mental health practitioner.   Depending on the nature and extent of the injuries, this individuals treatment could be complex.

Can the Co-Workers File Workers’ Compensation Claims?

Yes.  There may be possible stress claims for the co-workers if they were emotionally harmed in the incident.  Further, it is possible that they may have sustained injury in fending off the dog.  This could perhaps be orthopedic injury or due to breathing pepper spray if it was used to fend the dog off.

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.

depressed woman sitting on the floor of a dark room

STRESS AND INJURED WORKERS: INJURED WORKERS WITH DIFFICULTIES POST WORK-INJURY AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

This article is to discuss injured Workers’ stressors and a recent study on the matter. Prior to reviewing the study, I took it upon myself to list the stressors based upon my 28 years of representing Injured workers. The following is my assessment of stressors for Injured Workers while they are pursuing their claims are as follows:

Dealing with medical facilities and doctors
Being out of work
Dealing with your employer
Dealing with insurance
Dealing with attorneys
Dealing with litigation
Dealing with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board

Wow! Injured Workers have a lot of stressors!

As I indicated, a study was recently done which sheds some additional light on the stressors of injured workers. Is my assessments correct? Are there other items of concern?

Are Injured Workers Stressed Out?

Yes. The study found that the “[t]he prevalence of psychological distress among workers’ compensation claimants is high.” Collie, A., Sheehan, L., Lane, T.J. et al. Psychological Distress in Workers’ Compensation Claimants: Prevalence, Predictors and Mental Health Service Use. J Occup Rehabil 30, 194–202 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-019-09862-1

What Did the Study Find as Being Stressors?

Severe psychological distress, being off work, worse general health and requiring support during claim were most strongly associated with greater odds of service use. Collie, A., Sheehan, L., Lane, T.J. et al. Psychological Distress in Workers’ Compensation Claimants: Prevalence, Predictors and Mental Health Service Use. J Occup Rehabil 30, 194–202 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-019-09862-1

Are Injured Workers more stressed out than other People?

Yes. According to the Study, it was found. Collie, A., Sheehan, L., Lane, T.J. et al. Psychological Distress in Workers’ Compensation Claimants: Prevalence, Predictors and Mental Health Service Use. J Occup Rehabil 30, 194–202 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-019-09862-1

What Were the Factors that the Study Found as Stressful?

The study found “being off work, poor general health, low work ability, financial stress, stressful interactions with healthcare providers and having diagnosed mental health conditions had the strongest associations with presence of psychological distress Collie, A., Sheehan, L., Lane, T.J. et al. Psychological Distress in Workers’ Compensation Claimants: Prevalence, Predictors and Mental Health Service Use. J Occup Rehabil 30, 194–202 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-019-09862-1

One additional item that came out of the study that caught me by surprise that Injured Workers with prior psychological issues are susceptible to increased stress.

Can an Injured Worker Claim This Stress as Part of Their Claim?

With changes in the law, psychiatric injury claims are limited. Further, stress resulting from litigation is mostly considered as non-industrial. In certain limited facts, stress may be claimed. It is a factual inquiry.

Is There Case Law Re: Stress from Litigation?

Yes. The Courts have found that a psychiatry injury caused as a result of the litigation process is not work-related. Rodriguez v. Workers’ Comp. Appeals Bd. (1994) 21 Cal.App.4th 1747 [27 Cal.Rptr.2d 93]. There are some limited exceptions. See Patrick v. Marina City Club, 2010 Cal. Wrk. Comp. P.D. LEXIS 19 (carrier misconduct as the basis for stress)

What Should An Injured Worker Do?

Injured Workers should approach matter on multiple levels. One level is to seek medical attention and/or counseling for one’s stress. Another level is to address the situations that are causing the stress. This can include changing doctors, getting an attorney, addressing the employment situation is a substantial way and perhaps opening up to a friend or family member to get this stress off their chest. Also, if you are unrepresented, contacting the Information and Assistance Officer at the local WCAB may be helpful. Also, your company may may have an Employee Assistance Program which can help as well.

In sum, if an Injured Worker is having stress, there is help and solutions out there. Don’t try to go it alone.

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.

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