Injuries Covered for Health Care Workers Under California Workers’ Comp Law

 Posted on November 04, 2025 in Workers' Compensation

Health care workers deal with a long list of possible hazards in the workplace. When you are hurt at work, California’s workers’ compensation system provides important protection. If you were injured on the job, regardless of the position you hold, our experienced Santa Clara County, CA workers’ compensation lawyers will support you. We ensure that you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you need as you heal.

What Counts as a Work-Related Injury for Health Care Workers in California?

California Labor Code §3600 says that if you are injured while doing something on the job or connected to your job, it counts as a work-related injury and you should have access to workers’ compensation benefits. Even if you are hurt during a break or while walking between patient rooms, the injury may still qualify if you were on duty or inside your place of work.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Among California Health Care Workers?

Health care employees face a higher risk of injury than those in many other fields. The job often involves heavy lifting, long hours, and constant contact with patients and equipment.

Some of the most common injuries that qualify for workers’ compensation include:

• Back and shoulder strain from lifting or repositioning patients

• Needle stick injuries that cause infection or disease

• Slip-and-fall accidents in hallways or patient rooms

• Chemical exposure from cleaning agents or medications

• Repetitive motion injuries from charting or typing

• Violence or assaults from patients or visitors

• Illnesses such as COVID-19 or respiratory infections from workplace exposure

Each of these injuries can lead to medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and a lengthy recovery.

Does Workers’ Comp Cover Mental Health or Stress Injuries for Nurses and Medical Staff?

Emotional stress is a serious problem in the medical field. Nurses and other health care workers often deal with trauma, long hours, and patient deaths. These experiences can lead to anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Under California Labor Code §3208.3, mental health injuries are covered if your job was the main cause of your condition, meaning more than 50 percent of the cause. You must have documentation from a licensed mental health provider and evidence that your stress or trauma came from work. While mental health claims can be more complicated than physical injuries, they are still valid when properly supported.

What Benefits Can Injured Health Care Workers Receive?

California’s workers’ compensation system provides several forms of help. If your claim is approved, you can receive medical care for all treatment related to your injury. You may also receive temporary disability payments if you cannot work while you recover.

If your injury causes lasting problems, you could qualify for permanent disability benefits. In some cases, workers receive job retraining vouchers to help them find new employment if they cannot return to their old job because of their injury. Families of workers who die from work-related injuries may receive death benefits.

All medical expenses for approved injuries should be paid by your employer’s insurance provider. You should not have to pay for necessary treatment yourself.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Gilroy, CA Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

If you were injured while providing medical care to others, you may need a seasoned attorney to help you access fast and fair workers’ comp benefits. The attorneys at Raul Martinez Injury Law Firm have served clients in Gilroy and throughout Santa Clara County for nearly 30 years. Our current team brings more than two decades of combined experience in workers’ compensation law.

Call 408-848-1113 to talk to our Santa Clara County, CA workers’ compensation lawyers. We can help you collect evidence, file your claim, and fight for the benefits you deserve. Hablamos Español.