Oakland Legal Issues Blog

As a skilled professional in the construction field, you probably use your hands quite a bit while working on any given day. Whether you help weld metal joints or work as a carpenter, your manual strength and dexterity both play important roles in your ability to do your job.

When people think about catastrophic workplace injuries, they often think about major medical issues like brain injuries or spinal cord injuries that can have a catastrophic impact on someone's independence and mobility. However, an injury doesn't have to leave you in a wheelchair or unable to provide for yourself to change your life abruptly.

Many accidents are not simply accidents, but instead are due to the negligence of others. Whether it is a distracted driver, negligent property owner, a defective product or a medical error made by a medical professional, individuals face a wide range of possible issues caused by the errors and negligence of others. These unsuspecting harms can easily become overwhelming, causing an injured victim to seek out ways to address their injuries, losses and damages.

Whether it is a minor or major accident or whether it occurs frequently or infrequently, it does not diminish the pain and suffering an accident victim has suffered as a result. Thus, it is vital that an injured victim explore their rights and options following an accident.

Falling victim to a serious accident can be life-altering. One never expects to be suddenly harmed by the negligence of another; thus, following an accident, a victim is likely unaware of what they should do to address these harms. In some cases, injuries caused by an accident can be so severe that a victim is unable to return to their normal life. This could even mean they are unable to work and make a living.

The damages caused by an accident can be tremendous; however, when one is disabled and unable to work, they can suffer significant losses. Thus, it is important for accident victims to understand how they can be compensated for their losses.

Workers in California understand that accidents can happen in the work environment. This is especially true for those working in an industry that is considered dangerous. Even when safety precautions are taken, this does not always protect an employee from being injured. Whether one works in an office, factory or construction site, when an injury occurs, a worker may have many questions.

An injured worker may wonder what they should do following a workplace accident. Generally, a worker should report the incident to his or her employer as soon as possible. But what if it is an injury that developed over time and is not due to a sudden accident? Filing for worker's compensation is not an easy and straightforward process. Much documentation is required, and even when an employee completes all the necessary steps, he or she could still be denied these benefits.