MRI Machine Malfunction Leaves Nurse with Crushing Injuries: Injured Workers in the News, #99

A Kaiser Nurse from Redwood City California sustained a work-related injury when she was pinned between an MRI machine and a between a bed.  She received “deep lacerations requiring surgery after two screws became embedded in her body.” Dailymail.com

It is reported that a probe found that the medical facility ‘failed to provide radiologic services in a safe manner’.  Kaiser is now subject to an $18,000.00, fine. Supra.  It was noted that the “report found there were several breaches of protocol around the use of the machine, a diagnostic tool used to scan the body using magnetic fields and radio waves.” Supra.

This article will address claims for Serious and Willful Misconduct and how Safety Violations may matter with respect to a workers’ compensation claims.

Are Serious & Willful Misconduct Treated Different From Regular Work Injury Claims?

Yes.  Serious & Willful Misconduct claims are secondary matters with respect to a workers’ compensation claim.  They require a court filing within one year of the date of the injury.  There is a definite statute of limitations that must be complied with in order to pursue such an action. A Petition must be filed timely!

What Labor Code Sections Apply To Serious and Willful Misconduct ( S & W) Claims?

There are two Labor Code Sections which apply to S & Ws..  First, there is California Labor Code § 4553 which provides that: “[t]he amount of compensation otherwise recoverable shall be increased one-half, together with costs and expenses not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250), where the employee is injured by reason of the serious and willful misconduct of any of the following: (a) The employer, or his managing representative. (b) If the employer is a partnership, on the part of one of the partners or a managing representative or general superintendent thereof. (c) If the employer is a corporation, on the part of an executive, managing officer, or general superintendent thereof.

Further, Labor Code § 4553.1 which provides that “[i]n order to support a holding of serious and willful misconduct by an employer based upon violation of a safety order, the appeals board must specifically find all of the following: (1) The specific manner in which the order was violated. (2) That the violation of the safety order did proximately cause the injury or death, and the specific manner in which the violation constituted the proximate cause. (3) That the safety order, and the conditions making the safety order applicable, were known to, and violated by, a particular named person, either the employer, or a representative designated by Section 4553, or that the condition making the safety order applicable was obvious, created a probability of serious injury, and that the failure of the employer, or a representative designated by Section 4553, to correct the condition constituted a reckless disregard for the probable consequences.

How Can This Worker Prevail In Her Serious and Willful Misconduct Claim?

For an Injured Worker to prevail and receive the additional compensation, they must prove their case before the WCAB.  Therefore, a finding must be made based upon evidence.  There must be evidence presented showing both the safety order and the violation of the safety order.  Alternatively, a Serious and Willful Claim can be proven under a different theory.  As per case law, “[u]nder Mercer-Fraser, willful misconduct occurs when the employer knowingly places the employee in a situation of obvious danger and takes no precautions to protect the employee. Employers must “refrain from such deliberate, knowing and intentional failure to take safety precautions, whereby its employes [sic] were intentionally subjected to known, serious, unnecessary and unreasonable hazards.” [emphasis added]

What If I Need Legal 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 30 years. Contact us today for more information.

4 California El Cajon Plane Crash Victims: Injured Workers in the News, #8

It was recently reported that both Flight Nurses and Pilots died in a tragic jet plane crash in San Diego.  “[T]he twin-engine jet was registered to El Cajon-based Med Jet LLC.” kmph.com

The plane crash constitutes a work-related accident. Dependents of the deceased workers can seek compensation as well as obtain burial expenses to cover the funeral.  With the limited facts from the news reports, it appears that employment and jurisdiction issues may exist.

Who Are Flight Nurses?

Flight Nurses provide medical care during transportation of patients.  Flight Nurses can serve on fixed wing planes, jet planes and helicopters. Flight Nurses can operate out of a base location. From that location, they can travel throughout the world to provide this assistance.

For example, individuals having a medical event or accident on vacation may need to be transported home.

Is There A Particular Issue with Flight Nurses?

Yes.  Jurisdiction is an issue that may come up with Flight Nurses.  While they may be based in a particular state, work injuries can occur in other states.  Thus, a legal dispute may arise as to which state has jurisdiction to adjudicate the claim.  In some instances, multiple states may offer jurisdiction.  Jurisdiction is the legal term used for the “correct” location to file the action.

In the present matter, it is not clear whether the Flight Nurses lived in California.  If they did, a California workers’ compensation claim could be filed.  From the facts, they may be been employed by Med Jet LLC which operates in California.   Thus, this is also a basis for California jurisdiction.

Who Is the Employer?

While the plane was registered by Med Jet LLC, it is not clear from the news accounts that the company employed the nurses. A determination needs to be made as to who was their employer.

Are There Other Causes of Action?

In this matter, there may be a variety of causes of action.  If the nurses did not work for Med Jet LLC, there might be a cause of action against the plane’s owner.  Further, if the pilots were not co-workers, a cause of action may be applied against them.  Likewise, there might be a product’s liability claim against the plane’s manufacturer.

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.

COVID-19, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A recent Occupational COVID-19, Study addressed Coronavirus Work Injury Claims for Health Care Workers.  The study was done in Germany.  Nienhaus A. COVID-19 among Health Workers in Germany-An Update. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Aug 31;18(17):9185. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18179185. PMID: 34501773; PMCID: PMC8431697.

Healthcare Workers, being on the front line of medical care, are at significant risk for industrial COVID-19 infection injuries.  Infection rates appear to be different for each particular Healthcare Occupation.   Infection risk differs from support staff workers to nurses to doctors.  Likewise, the Healthcare Worker’s workplace can impact the infection risk. Facility types, i.e. hospital, nursing home, etc, can play a role in infection rates.

This article will discuss the study which addresses Healthcare Workers and their industrial COVID-19 infection rates.

What Health Care Facilities Are Impacted?

The study showed that “most claims concern inpatient and outpatient nursing (39.5%) or clinics (37.6%).” Supra.

In contrast, medical practices are not subject to as many claims.  It was reported that “As few as 3.2% of the claims concern medical practices.” Supra.

In other words, it appears that facilities which address extended patient care have greater rates than mere evaluations or examinations.

What Was the Claims Acceptance Rate for Occupational Injury?

 It was reported that “.. 77.5% of all claims were assessed, and in 81.4% of these, the OD(Occupational Disease) was confirmed.” Supra.

Thus, it appears in Germany that there is wide acceptance of industrial claims of injury for COVID-19.

How Are Healthcare Workers Impacted?

Nursing is the profession most impact with 68.8% of the cases. Supra.

Hospitals had the highest claims rates with 41.3 claims per 1000 full time workers. Supra.

What Was Treatment Severity?

It was reported seventy-seven workers died (0.09%) and three hundred and seventy-five (0.4%) were hospitalized. Supra.

The majority of workers got treatment clinics (52.3%) and inpatient and outpatient care facilities (28.0%)  Supra.

What Percent Claims Considered as Industrial?

 A total of 65,693 (77.5%) claims were assessed, and for 81.4% of these claims, the Occupational Disease was confirmed. Supra.

Where Was the Highest Frequency of Claims?

The Occupational Disease rate per 1000 full time workers highest in clinics, followed by inpatient and outpatient care (28.9 and 20.8). Supra.

Where Were the Highest Claims Rates?

The Occupational Disease rate per 1000 full time workers was highest in clinics, followed by inpatient and outpatient care (28.9 and 20.8). Supra.

The hospital breakdown was  per 100,000 full time workers highest for clinics (25.4), followed by inpatient and outpatient care (10.5) and medical practices (8.7). Supra.

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.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS, VIOLENT PATIENTS AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Healthcare Systems have a high incidence of workplace violence.   Healthcare Workers experience five times the amount of violence in comparison to the average worker in the United States.

Violent acts can cause work injuries both of a physical and mental nature.  Healthcare Workers, in these circumstances, may seek medical treatment and compensation via Workers’ Compensation.

This article will discuss the nature of the term “violence”, a worker’ compensation law addressing violent acts, the nature of violent encounters, and the rates of violence.

What Is Violence?

Violence can mean different things. There is physical violence, i.e. a patient striking a nurse,  and there is verbal violence, i.e. a patient threatening a nurse’s life.

Research has a more expansive definition. ” In the most basic of explanations, violence may present in the form of verbal threats, aggressive language, or escalate to physical assault.”

Verbal harassment includes racial slurs, attacking appearance or perceived sexual orientation, cursing, yelling at, or berating another person.”

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, insulting gestures, and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”

Verbal threats include statements of intent to cause harm, and threatening body language or gestures.”

Physical violence includes spitting, biting, pulling hair, and any other type of unwanted physical contact intending to cause harm.” Pitts E, Schaller DJ. Violent Patients. 2021 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30725966.

Comment:  The definition of violence used by researchers is quite expansive nature. .Harassment  such attacks on  race, gender or sexual orientation have been included.

How Does Workers’ Compensation Laws Address Violence?

California Workers’ Compensation Law addresses both the physical and verbal aspects of violence.  Workers’ compensation claims can be filed for injuries that are physical in nature.  Thus, if a nurse was assaulted and hurt their back, they can get treatment and compensation for the claim.  Further, a nurse was subjected to racial harassment, they would be able to pursue a psychological or stress injury.  Sometimes, violence can lead to both physical and mental injuries.  A claim can include both types of injuries.

Are There Any Special Laws Concerning Violent Acts?

Yes. The threshold for psychiatric claims of injury is lowered if there is a claim of violence.  Labor Code Section 3208.3 provides that “ in the case of employees whose injuries resulted from being a victim of a violent act or from direct exposure to a significant violent act, the employee shall be required to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that actual events of employment were a substantial cause of the injury.” Substantial is defined as 35 to 40 percent.

How Significant Is It Within the Health Care Industry?

“In 2016, health care workers made up 69% of all reported workplace violent injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.” Pitts E, Schaller DJ. Violent Patients. 2021 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30725966.

In sum, an overwhelming amount of workplace violence occurs within the healthcare profession.

Are There Different Violence Rates Among Occupation?

Yes. Violence rates can vary based upon occupation and sex.

Paramedics

They are subject to the highest amount of verbal violence

Nurses/Physicians

They are subject to the highest amount of verbal threats

Nurses

They have the highest rate of violence threats by visitors.

Female Nurses

They are at far greater risk of being a victim of violence versus their counterpart.

Pitts E, Schaller DJ. Violent Patients. 2021 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30725966.

Who Commits the Violence in Healthcare Settings? 

Males, 35 years and younger, have been found to be the highest offenders of violence against healthcare professionals.” Pitts E, Schaller DJ. Violent Patients. 2021 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30725966.

It has been found that 9 factors can be indicators of violence at the time of admissions. These include a “diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar disorder, history of psychiatric disorder, male gender, age younger than 35 years, below-average intelligence, no history of employment, homelessness, and agitated behavior.” .” Pitts E, Schaller DJ. Violent Patients. 2021 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30725966.

What Are the Causes of Violence in the Health Care?

The Healthcare system, but its very nature, has elements that can contribute to violence.  These include “[[l]ong waiting times, lack of security, lack of adequate staff, and patient areas being open to the public.” .” Pitts E, Schaller DJ. Violent Patients. 2021 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30725966.

Are There Other Factors that Can Impact Violence in Health Care?

“There are many factors thought to increase the risk of violence among ED workers, including an increased number of patients and visitors using alcohol and drugs, psychiatric disorders, dementia, the presence of weapons, stressful environment, overcrowding, prolonged waiting times, and flow of violence from the community into the ED.” Pitts E, Schaller DJ. Violent Patients. 2021 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30725966.

Is There Anything Special About Emergency Departments?

Emergency Departments have a number of factors that can contribute to violence they can include “an increased number of patients and visitors using alcohol and drugs, psychiatric disorders, dementia, the presence of weapons, stressful environment, overcrowding, prolonged waiting times, and flow of violence from the community into the ED.” Pitts E, Schaller DJ. Violent Patients. 2021 Jul 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30725966.

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 over 27 years. Contact us today for more information.

NURSES: DOES YOUR WORKING SHIFT MATTER?  MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES, SHIFT CHOICE AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Nurses are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WMSD.)  A study addressed whether a Nurse’s Work Shift impacted WMSDs.

This article will discuss Nursing, Nursing Shifts, and how particular Shift Work may impact industrial injuries.

What Are Nursing Duties? What Makes Nurse at Risk for Injury?

Nursing Duties are physically demanding.  Patient care can require individuals to work in awkward positions and deal with individuals whose weight can shift at any moment.

“WMSDs(work-related musculoskeletal disorders) in nurses are mainly caused by shifting patients (which includes helping patients turn over or get in and out of bed), routine treatments in nursing, poorly designed work environments, and remaining active for prolonged periods of time.4 The physiological loads created by these nursing activities are all risk factors of WMSDs in nurses.” Chang WP, Peng YX. Differences between fixed day shift nurses and rotating and irregular shift nurses in work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A literature review and meta-analysis. J Occup Health. 2021 Jan;63(1):e12208. doi: 10.1002/1348-9585.12208. PMID: 33682989; PMCID: PMC7938703.

Likewise, “cllinical nurses must deal with daily routine work in busy wards, patient care and treatment, and correspondence for various matters. Their jobs are time‐consuming, complicated, and full of stress, and they are often on tight schedules, all of which are associated with WMSDs.” Supra.

What Musculoskeletal Body Parts Do Nurses Injure?

Nurses are susceptible to injury for every body part imaginable.   This includes the neck, shoulders and back.

Nurses are prone to WMSDs in the lower back, shoulders, neck, back wrists, knees, and ankles. Supra.

What are Shifts?

Hospitals and other medical facilities provide 24 hours a day service for 7 days a week.  Thus, the facilities have various work shifts.  Some facilities may have 8-hour shifts, some 10-hour shifts, and others 12-hour shifts.    

What Shifts are There?

Within an 8-hour format, there is generally a morning shift, an evening shift, and an overnight shift.

How Do Nurses’ Shifts Vary?

Nurses can have regular fixed shifts.   Also, there are Nurses who have rotating or irregular shifts.

What was the Study About?

The study focused on Nurses who worked rotating and irregular shifts. The theory of the study was that “working rotating and irregular shifts, which causes the physiological burden of disrupted circadian rhythms in the body, may also exacerbate muscle tension and pain.” Differences between fixed day shift nurses and rotating and irregular shift nurses in work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A literature review and meta-analysis. J Occup Health. 2021 Jan;63(1):e12208. doi: 10.1002/1348-9585.12208. PMID: 33682989; PMCID: PMC7938703.

What Were the Results?

The study “indicated that RS (rotating shifts) + IS (irregular shifts) nurses are more likely to experience back pain associated with WMSD than are FDS (fixed day shift) nurses.”  Differences between fixed day shift nurses and rotating and irregular shift nurses in work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A literature review and meta-analysis. J Occup Health. 2021 Jan;63(1):e12208. doi: 10.1002/1348-9585.12208. PMID: 33682989; PMCID: PMC7938703.

In sum, Nurses working irregular shift are more likely to experience musculoskeletal disorders.

As a Lawyer, Are There Any Reasons That May Cause the Higher Rate?

In my opinion, irregular shifts can include irregular routines.  Nurses who have regular shifts may have better understanding of their shift’s physical requirements.   Also, they may be more familiar with their surroundings.   Thus, they are able to take better precaution to prevent injury.

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 over 28 years. Contact us today for more information.

9.3Edward Jay Singer
Edward Jay SingerReviewsout of 22 reviews