Gilroy Workers' Compensation Attorneys For Health Care Workers

Lawyers for Doctors, Nurses, and Health Care Employees with Injuries and Illnesses in Santa Clara County

Health care workers play a crucial role in promoting public welfare in California and throughout the U.S., especially during a global public health crisis. Unfortunately, their jobs often expose them to health risks that may result in physical injuries, mental health conditions, and occupational diseases. This makes workers' compensation benefits especially important for employees whose health is adversely affected due to their work.

At Cramer & Martinez, LLP, we value the contributions of California's health care workers, and we are committed to helping you with your workers' compensation claims and appeals. We have more than 20 years of combined experience, and we will work with you to take any steps necessary in pursuit of the benefits you need.

Common Occupational Injuries and Illnesses for Health Care Workers

Doctors, nurses, EMTs, and other health care employees regularly come into contact with occupational hazards that can potentially cause serious injuries or illnesses. Workplace injuries commonly experienced in the healthcare industry include:

• Back, neck, and joint strain: Nurses and other employees who are directly involved in patient care often experience stress on their muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints due to working long shifts on their feet, regularly bending and stooping, and lifting and repositioning patients. This can result in both acute injuries and repetitive stress injuries.
• Slip and fall injuries: Hospitals and other common environments for healthcare workers often have wet floors and other slipping and tripping hazards that can cause fall injuries to the head, back, and limbs.
• Cuts and lacerations: Many medical tools have sharp edges or points, creating an injury risk for the doctors and nurses who regularly handle them.
• Vehicle accident injuries: EMTs, paramedics, and other health care employees who travel in ambulances and emergency vehicles are at risk of injuries from car crashes.
• Mental health conditions: Mental stress is also very common for health care workers, and they may develop depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other psychiatric conditions in connection with their experiences at work.
• Contagious diseases: Health care employees are often exposed to pathogens and patients with contagious illnesses, and in many cases, they can contract a disease while at work. Some of the most serious cases involve hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV.

Health Care Employees and COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, essential health care workers are especially at risk of contracting the coronavirus at work while treating and caring for patients who have the disease. In recognition of this risk, the California Senate passed a bill in September 2020 establishing a presumption that for health care employees, COVID-19 is a work-related illness eligible for workers' compensation if the employee tests positive within 14 days of performing their job at their place of employment. This provision is in effect for employees who contract the disease on July 6, 2020, or later, and is currently set to extend until January 1, 2023.

California Workers' Comp Claims and Appeals

For health care employees seeking workers' compensation benefits, one of the biggest challenges is often demonstrating that their condition is work-related, especially in the case of a repetitive stress injury or an occupational disease. In order to have the best chance of a successful claim, it is important to notify your employer in writing promptly after becoming aware of your condition, submit your claim form in a timely manner, and keep detailed records of both your medical care and the workers' compensation claims process.

If your claim is denied, you will need to file an Application for Adjudication of Claim with the California Division of Workers' Compensation to have the opportunity to argue your case in front of a judge. Your attorney can help you prepare for a hearing, settlement conference, or trial, depending on what your case requires, with the goal of reaching a resolution that provides you with any necessary medical care and disability benefits.

Contact a San Jose Workers' Compensation Lawyer

If you have contracted COVID-19 or you are dealing with any other work-related injury or illness due to your health care job, contact us at 408-848-1113 for a free consultation regarding your workers' compensation claim. We serve clients in San Jose, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister, Salinas, Los Banos, Watsonville, and throughout Santa Clara County, San Benito County, Monterey County, Merced County, Santa Cruz County, and the nearby areas.