Maison Law helps injured assembly line workers in California through the workers’ compensation and legal process. Every employee has access to workers’ compensation benefits, but it’s also something nobody wants to have to use because it means being hurt at work. Still, when injuries do happen, our team can guide you through the claims process. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Just like any injury situation, you’re not required to have a lawyer when you’re hurt on the job as an assembly line worker. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need one, especially the more seriously hurt you are or the more complicated your situation is.
Our experienced team at Maison Law understands what you’re going through and can make the process easier for you by:
- Explaining your options and what claims you can file
- Investigating the accident and helping you gather evidence
- Negotiating with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company for better benefits
- Taking further legal action, like filing a lawsuit
You obviously never want to be in a situation where you get hurt at work, but it’s unfortunately common as an assembly line worker. Our team can make the situation easier for you, which is what you really need.
What Should You Do If You’re Hurt at Work as an Assembly Line Worker?
Working on an assembly line is difficult even under ideal conditions, but when negligence or carelessness causes an injury, it’s even tougher. However, it does give you certain options to take care of the fallout. So, if you’re injured on the job, here’s what you need to do:
- Report your injury – Let your employer know about your injury as soon as it happens. In California, you have 30 days to report it, but the sooner you report, the faster you can get workers comp benefits.
- Get medical care – Your health always comes first, so get first aid and medical care immediately. Your employer can provide first aid, but if it’s a more serious injury, go to the closest hospital. Fast treatment also helps document your injury for your claim.
- File a workers’ comp claim – After reporting your injury, HR should give you a workers’ compensation claim form (DWC-1). Fill it out and turn it in to start your claim. Keep a copy for your records.
- See a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) – In most cases, you’ll need to see a QME. This is a doctor chosen by the workers’ comp company who gives an independent opinion on your injury.
- Cooperate with the investigation – The insurance company will investigate your claim, reviewing medical records and usually talking to you and your employer. Providing all required information can help move your claim along.
These steps are part of almost every workers’ comp claim for any employee. However, it’s also going to come down to specifics. So, understanding your rights and what options you have can help you get the benefits you need to get better.
What Options Do You Have After an Injury at Work?
If you get hurt or sick while working on the assembly line, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to help cover your losses, but that’s not the only option you have. When there’s negligence involved, you also have the ability to file a regular injury claim, usually through insurance or a lawsuit.
Generally, though, filing a workers’ comp claim is the starting point for any injury. With it, you can recover certain benefits like:
- Medical expenses – This includes costs for doctor visits, treatments, and medications.
- Temporary or total disability benefits – You can get benefits if you can’t work for a while or if you have long-term injuries.
- Lost wages – This covers the income you miss while you’re recovering. It can extend to loss of earning potential if you can’t work anymore.
- Job retraining – This provides financial support if you need to learn new skills to return to work.
- Death benefits – In the event that your injuries or accident is fatal, your family can file a claim for funeral and burial expenses, among other things.
The good news about workers’ comp is that you don’t have to show that your employer did anything wrong to get these benefits. However, in California, these benefits usually last for only up to 104 weeks, and they might not cover everything if your injury is serious. If that happens, you might be able to sue your employer or others responsible for the injury, like tool manufacturers, to get more financial help for your “damages.” This can include things like:
- Medical bills and ongoing care needs
- Lost wages or earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life or companionship
- Wrongful death expenses
Remember, every situation is different. But, one thing that remains constant is that you have a certain time frame to file your claim if you want to go outside the workers’ comp system. In California, you have two years from the date of the accident to file an insurance claim or lawsuit for further damages. And given how badly you could be injured, you have to keep this in mind.
What Causes Injuries For Assembly Line Workers?
No matter how experienced you are as an assembly line worker, the potential for an accident is always there because of the conditions. Factories of all different kinds employ line workers to make sure products are meeting standards, but the environment is often full of various risks. Most of the time, injuries happen because of:
- Unsafe conditions – Things like wet floors, messy work areas, or bad lighting can cause slips and falls. High temperatures or poor ventilation can also affect your health.
- Not having the right equipment – If you don’t have the proper tools or safety gear, the chance of accidents increases. For example, using broken tools can lead to cuts or slips, and not wearing safety gear like gloves or goggles can expose you to hazards.
- Lack of training – Proper training is essential for safety. If workers don’t learn how to use machines or follow safety rules, they may make mistakes that cause injuries.
- Poor maintenance – Equipment needs regular checks to stay safe. If machines aren’t well maintained, they can break or malfunction, leading to accidents.
- Understaffing – If there aren’t enough workers, tasks may be rushed, causing mistakes and skipping safety steps. This can increase the risk of accidents.
Obviously, many of these conditions go beyond simple risk and cross into negligence. This makes your working conditions much more dangerous and increases the likelihood of an injury. That said, it also means you have options for making a recovery and our team will be there to support you.
Free Consultations for Assembly Line Workers in California Workers’ Compensation Claims
At Maison Law, our team of workers’ compensation lawyers is ready to help you with your claim. We’ll walk you through the entire process, ensuring you have the support you need at every step. If you’re an assembly line worker and have been injured on the job, contact us today for a free consultation.
