San Bernardino Legal Blog

There is no doubt that workers in California and across the country can experience injuries while completing their job responsibilities. While many people who consider workplace injuries think of those that come from a fall or other similar accident, there are many people who become ill as a result of exposure to a chemical. In fact, a man in another state recently lost his life following exposure to fumes from a chemical.

The incident involved a 32-year-old man who worked as the general manager of a Buffalo Wild Wings. According to a preliminary investigation conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a different employee attempted to clean the kitchen floor with two different substances, Scale Kleen and Super 8, a cleaner that contains sodium hypochlorite. The two substances reportedly interacted with one another, creating toxic fumes.

When most people in California and across the country consider work-related injuries, they often think of physical injuries caused by a single accident or that occur due to repeated motions over a period of time. However, depending on the profession, workers can also face increased susceptibility to psychological illnesses. In fact, those who work as paramedics and emergency medical technicians often experience such illnesses as a result of the trauma they repeatedly witness.

Studies indicate that those who work as paramedics and EMTS experience higher rates of substance abuse, suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressions when compared to the general population. Additionally, such workers also experience higher risks of physical health concerns. Often, these first responders are required to make life-and-death decisions on little sleep with little to no time to decompress afterward.

What should you do after a work accident? How can you be sure that you will get everything you need for recovery? Walking through the aftermath of this type of accident is never easy, and it is often complicated to deal with workers' compensation insurance companies. You will find it helpful to know how to avoid problems with this process and what steps you should be taking.

Workers' compensation claims are time sensitive. It is in your interests to move quickly to file your claim, but where should you start? Knowing what to do after an accident in the workplace can help you protect your interests. You have certain rights as an injured California employee, including the right to seek help and pursue benefits for your post-accident needs.

When people in California design their new home or plan a remodel of their kitchen or bath, there are likely a multitude of different issues that they take into consideration. Most of these surround their personal preferences and cost of material and installation. Unfortunately, some people are urging those making such decisions to determine whether certain safety practices are in place if they are considering the use of artificial stone countertops. Reports indicate that these countertops can lead to a work-related illness.

The engineered countertops are composed primarily of silica. Silica is a mineral that can cause serious lung damage if inhaled. Inhalation can lead to silicosis, a potentially progressive disease that has no treatment other than a lung transplant.