A California Workers' Comp Lawyer Provides the Details
Workplace accidents happen far too often in California, leaving people injured and potentially needing to file for workers’ compensation benefits. If you've been hurt at work in California, take it seriously. Never try to work through the pain or hope you will recover on your own. Your future is at stake, so act now.
OSHA's Top 10 Safety Violations For FY 2021
Your on-the-job accident may have been caused by something that falls under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Top 10 Most Cited Violations for fiscal year 2021. They are:
- Fall Protection – General Requirements (5,271 violations). Outlines where protection is required, appropriate systems, proper construction and installation, and supervision of employees.
- Respiratory Protection (2,521). Establishes standards for program administration, worksite-specific procedures, respirator selection, training, fit testing, medical evaluation, and respirator use, cleaning, maintenance, and repair.
- Ladders (2,018). General requirements.
- Scaffolding (1,943). General requirements.
- Hazard Communication (1,939). Covers chemicals produced in the workplace, imported into the workplace, and relaying hazards to workers.
- Lockout/Tagout (1,670). Outlines the control of hazardous energy during maintenance of machines and equipment.
- Fall Protection (1,660). Addresses training requirements.
- Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment – Eye and Face (1,451). Requires equipment for workers exposed to eye or face hazards.
- Powered Industrial Trucks (1,404). Mandates design, maintenance, and operation of forklifts and motorized hand trucks, as well as operator training.
- Machine Guarding (1,105). Sets standards to protect employees from machinery hazards, including rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks.
Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, noted that it's important for employers to stay vigilant about the health and safety of their workers.
“We’ll continue to adapt to workplace scenarios in order to meet our mission, by developing our programs and initiatives either through National Emphasis Programs or directives or memos,” Kapust said. “We’ll adapt.”
Injured Workers Should Protect Their Rights
If you were hurt in an on-the-job accident in Southern California, you have the right to seek workers' compensation benefits. Unfortunately, the process of obtaining benefits in California can be complex.
One innocent mistake can derail your entire claim when you're unable to work and need money to pay your bills and support your loved ones. You may face pressure from your supervisor to return to work before you're ready. Or they'll blame your injury on a pre-existing condition. That's why you need an experienced workers' comp attorney to protect your rights and aggressively advocate for your best interests.
At McLaughlin & Sanchez, we've been serving the legal needs of Southern California's injured workers for decades. Whether you're injured and need help filing for workers' compensation benefits, having trouble navigating the workers' comp process, or your claim has been denied, our law firm can review the details of your case for free and help you understand your options.
We know the games insurance companies play to save money on payments, and we don't put up with them. When you are represented by our law firm, we promise to fight for every dollar you're entitled to.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We have offices in San Diego, Chula Vista, and Temecula (by appointment only).