Santa Clara County Workplace Injury Lawyers

Attorneys for Employees Seeking Workers' Comp Benefits for Work-Related Injuries and Diseases in Gilroy, CA

Depending on your occupation, your job responsibilities, and your work environment, you may be exposed to a number of different injury risks throughout the course of your work. In recognition of these risks, California law requires your employer to offer workers' compensation benefits in the event that you are injured at work or as a result of your work. These benefits are available regardless of who is at fault, and they extend to a wide range of possible injuries.

Different kinds of injuries may present unique challenges, however, and an experienced workers' compensation attorney can help you address them as they arise. At Cramer & Martinez, LLP, we have been practicing workers' compensation law for a combined total of more than 20 years, and we are prepared to represent you throughout the workers' compensation claim process no matter the nature or severity of your injuries.

Common Types of Work-Related Injuries in California

Our breadth of experience allows us to handle workers' compensation cases involving many different workplace injuries. Some of the most common include:

• Back and spinal cord injuries: Occupations that require heavy lifting and other physical labor, such as construction work and farm work, can put employees at risk of soft tissue injuries like muscle pulls, strains, and sprains, as well as spinal injuries like slipped or herniated disks. Falls from height and accidents involving vehicles or heavy machinery can also cause catastrophic spinal cord injuries that may result in paralysis that permanently impacts your work abilities.
• Head and neck injuries: Neck strain is common in physically strenuous occupations as well as jobs in which employees tend to hold the same position for long periods of time. Falls, collisions, and other accidents involving blunt force impacts can cause concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries that may temporarily or permanently affect your mental abilities.
• Knee, shoulder, and joint injuries: Heavy lifting and repetitive motions can put stress on your knees, shoulders, and other joints. Some joint injuries are immediate, such as a dislocation or a ligament tear, while other conditions like bursitis, tendonitis, and tennis elbow may develop over time.
• Hearing and vision loss: Hearing loss is common for employees in occupations that involve long-term, repeated exposure to loud noises, like construction and manufacturing. Vision loss may be the result of a traumatic injury to the head or eyes. Sensory impairment can affect your future ability to work, and you may be entitled to temporary or permanent disability benefits as a result.
• Occupational diseases and illnesses: Workers' compensation benefits can extend to health conditions other than injuries, including in cases where an employee develops a disease due to long-term exposure to a hazardous substance. This is a common occurrence for building and construction workers who come into contact with asbestos, lead, and other dangerous materials that contribute to respiratory diseases and some forms of cancer. Health care employees who are exposed to COVID-19 and other contagious diseases at work may also have a case for workers' compensation.

As some of the above examples indicate, workers' compensation benefits are not limited to injuries suffered in a one-time accident. You are also entitled to file a claim for repetitive stress injuries and conditions that develop over time, as well as for the aggravation of a pre-existing injury or condition. In these cases, it is especially important to have an experienced attorney on your side who can help you demonstrate that your work is, in fact, responsible for the development or aggravation of your condition.

Contact a Morgan Hill Workers' Compensation Law Firm

If you are unsure of how to proceed after suffering a workplace injury, contact us today at 408-848-1113 for a free consultation. We will help you start the process of filing a claim, ensure that you get the medical care you need, and resolve any disputes that arise with your employer or the claims administrator. We serve clients in Santa Clara County and the surrounding areas, including Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister, San Jose, Salinas, Los Banos, Watsonville, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Cruz County.