Van Nuys Legal Blog

Your rights and staying safe in the workplace

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez posted in workers' compensation on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.

You probably know that you have many rights as a California worker, including the right to a reasonable expectation of safety in the workplace. Employers have to provide certain things to employees in order to prevent accidents and allow workers to do their job as safely as possible. It may be in your interests to learn about all of the rights available to you.

You have rights as a worker that help keep you safe. When you experience a violation of these rights, it is not just an inconvenience; it can be a threat to your personal safety and well-being. You may want to learn more about what you can expect, how to protect your interests and what to do in the event of a workplace accident.

Simple steps for preventing construction falls

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez on Friday, March 29, 2019.

If you work in construction, you know one thing for certain: you do not want to fall. Falling from a height during a construction project is one of the most common causes of death among workers and continues to happen more frequently than any other type of accident.

You may be fortunate that you have not fallen or witnessed the death or injury of a co-worker who fell from a height. However, if your California employer fails to provide protective equipment or training to prevent falls, your chances of falling increase.

Taking the right steps after a workplace injury

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

If you suffer an injury on the job, you may feel fortunate that your California employer carries workers' compensation insurance. A successful claim means coverage for your medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation and other expenses, which can protect you and your family from falling into financial crisis while you recover.

However, you may be uncertain how you can claim the benefits you deserve after a workplace injury. Taking the proper steps is critical to avoid missing out on the essential coverage workers' comp offers. Your employer should have information about this process readily available to you so you know what you can expect from the moment you suffer an injury or work-related illness.

What is knee bursitis?

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez posted in workplace injuries on Sunday, March 24, 2019.

If you have a job in California that requires frequent kneeling and/or squatting, you may be at risk for developing knee bursitis, a painful condition that can limit your ability to work due to decreased mobility.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that provides cushioning and reduces friction between your bones and the soft tissues of your knee, including muscles, tendons and skin. There are several bursae situated around your knee for this purpose. Frequent and prolonged pressure on your knee can cause one or more of the bursae to become inflamed, resulting in symptoms such as pain, swelling, tenderness and warmth. People who work in jobs like gardening or carpet-laying that require frequent kneeling are at greater risk for developing knee bursitis, as are people whose work involves strenuous activity.

Moving patients a common cause of injury in health care

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez posted in workplace injuries on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

As one of more than a million California residents who currently earn a living working in health care, you probably understand that experiencing job-related aches and pains is incredibly common in your line of work. At the Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez, we recognize that many health care-related injuries result from relocating immobile patients, and we have helped many nurses and other health care workers who experienced back and other work-related injuries pursue appropriate recourse.

According to Healthcare Business & Technology, one of the most significant threats facing today’s nurses, nursing aides and other health care workers is one that often receives little attention from employers: moving heavy patients. So many health care workers suffer serious injuries caused by moving patients, in fact, that this has become one of the most substantial health hazards faced by today’s health care workforce.

What can cause back pain at work?

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez posted in workplace injuries on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

Californian workers like you often go through conditions in your daily worklife that might not be the best for physically. You can end up suffering from injuries if you aren't careful, and those injuries can impact the overall quality of your life for a long time to come. Today, we will take a look at back injuries at work.

In FindLaw's article on tips for avoiding back pain while on the job, they go into detail about some of the most common causes of work-related back pain. Among these causes are:

Lifting heavy objects, or lifting any object incorrectly
Having a work station that is not conducive to good posture
Engaging in repetitive motion
Not taking enough stretching breaks while working

The wrong "safety culture" could lead to injuries

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez on Friday, March 15, 2019.

When you go to work each day, you expect to come home safe and sound. Even if you work in an industry in which injuries are often severe, you rely on your employer to provide you with the information, equipment and other tools to remain safe as you go about your duties.

Unfortunately, some California companies create the wrong "safety culture," which puts you in a position in which you could suffer serious injuries. An organization called Safety Performance Solutions has dealt with thousands of employees during its years, and gathered some important information regarding how employers influence the perception of safety in the workplace.

Returning to work with a traumatic brain injury

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez posted in workplace injuries on Monday, March 4, 2019.

Brain injuries occur in a wide-range of industries throughout the United States. In fact, traumatic brain injuries are a major contributor to workplace disability and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While they are more prominent in warehouse, construction and driving careers, traumatic brain injuries can occur in almost any setting, including offices and retail stores. Slip-and-fall incidents or accidents where employees are hit by falling objects can lead to traumatic brain injuries, which can vary from mild to moderate or severe. Some workers may require a certain amount of time off in order to recover from their injury. However, studies show that some people aren’t able to return to work after a brain injury. Some people who are able to go back to work may not be able to work in the same position they did prior to becoming injured.

Brain injuries have the potential of causing many different impairments, including sensory deficiencies, cognitive impairments, trouble sleeping and physical limitations. People who suffer from brain injuries may be unable to concentrate, make decisions or stay organized. They may experience tingling in their extremities, have muscle spasms or suffer from debilitating pain. Brain injuries may also affect a person’s ability to speak, read, hear or communicate with others.

Older workers and job-related injuries

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez posted in workplace injuries on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

There are many different issues to take into consideration when it comes to workplace accidents, from industries which are particularly dangerous to the legal options that may be available to an employee who is struggling to piece their life back together following a mishap. In this post, we will look into some issues that may apply to older workers who are hurt on the job. Even though many older workers are very experienced, and some are able to avoid accidents because of their familiarity with job-related hazards, workers of all age groups may find themselves involved in a work-related accident.

From a physical standpoint, the consequences of a work accident can be especially devastating for an older employee. It may take longer for an injured worker who is older to recover from the accident and return to their position, or they may be unable to work again as a result of the accident. Moreover, someone who has been working in a particular field for many years may have difficulty transitioning into another line of work, and many older workers have had to retire early because something went wrong while on the job.

Recognizing a spinal cord injury in an emergency

On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez on Friday, March 1, 2019.

Injuries can occur in any industry, but some California workers face higher risk based on their job duties. For instance, the risk of falling and suffering a spinal cord injury may not be as high in an office job as it would on a construction site.

Even so, under the right circumstances, anyone could suffer from this potentially permanent and debilitating injury. If you or a co-worker were hurt in an accident, would you recognize the signs of a spinal cord injury?

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