Employers in California and throughout the United States are increasingly relying on the contributions of independent contractors. You may be wondering: Can I file for workers’ comp benefits if I am hurt while working as an independent contractor? The short answer is “no”—independent contractors are not covered by workers’ comp. However, there are key qualifiers
Were you or a loved one seriously injured on the job in California? You may be entitled to permanent disability or PD benefits. These are a form of workers’ comp benefits that are reserved for people who have an injury or impairment that is so severe that a full recovery is not reasonably expected even
As reported by Reuters, July of 2023 has been the world’s hottest year in recorded history. California has not been spared—many parts of our state have experienced serious heat waves this summer. Extreme temperatures pose a significant safety hazard to outdoor workers. According to reporting from The Desert Sun, more than 20,000 people suffer heat-related injuries and
Report: Extreme Heat Injuries More than 20,000 Workers Per Year in California Read More »
Accidents happen in the workplace. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) reports that 161,860 workers missed time on the job due to work-related injuries or illnesses in 2020 alone. Workers’ compensation insurance coverage helps to ensure that people who were hurt on the job have the financial resources that they need to pay for medical care
All workers in Fresno County are entitled to no-fault workers comp coverage under California Labor Code § 3700. If you sustained a work injury, you have the right to seek workers’ comp benefits for medical care and wage replacement. Beyond that, your employer owes you certain basic duties after an accident. In this article, you will find
Five Duties an Employer Owes to You After a Workplace Accident in California Read More »
Unfortunately, workplace injuries and accidents continue to happen far too frequently. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 1.1 million workers take time off annually to recover from a job-related injury or occupational disease. Workers’ compensation insurance exists to help ensure that employers have financial protection and security after an accident. You may be wondering: How
How Long Does it Take on Average to Get Workers’ Comp Benefits in California Read More »
California law requires all businesses and organizations that operate within the state to carry no-fault workers’ compensation coverage (Labor Code § 3700). If you are hurt on the job in Fresno, you have the right to file a workers’ comp claim to seek medical coverage and wage loss benefits. Following a serious workplace accident, your
Understanding the Two Types of Workers’ Compensation Settlements in California Read More »
In January, the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus swept across California. There were nearly 140,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed statewide on January 21st—the highest daily amount during the entire course of the pandemic. However, the outbreak receded. On March 1st, there were fewer than 6,000 cases in California. Public health and safety policies are changing,
California Work Safety Regulators Release COVID-19 Safety Guidance for School Employees Read More »
Workers’ comp insurance provides much needed financial protection to people hurt at work. By law, your employer is required to pay for your workers’ compensation insurance California Labor Code § 3700). Unfortunately, not all businesses and organizations in Fresno County comply with the law. This raises an important question: What options do injured workers have if their
California Workers’ Comp Claims: Your Rights if Your Employer is Uninsured Read More »
All employers in Central California are required to follow applicable federal, state, and local workplace safety regulations. When an employer knowingly or recklessly violates safety standards and an employee injury occurs as a result, the business/organization could face liability under California Labor Code § 4553. This is the state’s “serious and willful misconduct” statute. Through a
Four Tips for Filing a Serious and Willful Misconduct Claim in California Read More »