Fresno Lead Poisoning On The Job Lawyer

California has more than 38 million residents, and that leads the nation in a single state population. It stands to reason that with the size of the workforce, we will get some larger numbers like worker’s compensation claims. Most employees face a set of common challenges and chances for injury across a host of jobs and roles. There is another uncommon risk that people pay very little attention to and rarely think about, and that is lead poisoning. It is surprising how common it is, and it is unknown how many cases go undetected and unreported each year. In 2024, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health increased the lead exposure limits in the hope that it would drive more safety and better prevention methods, and aid in increased detection. The California Department of Public Health reports that lead poisoning remains one of the most common environmental illnesses in the state.

If you work around any source of lead, you run the risk of being exposed and suffering from lead poisoning. If you work at a place like a battery manufacturing facility or recycling plant, lead poisoning is an obvious hazard, and many regulations and safety protocols exist to prevent it. The frequency of lead poisoning cases in California continues to increase. What is surprising is that lead poisoning as a workplace injury isn’t limited to people who realize they are going to be exposed to lead regularly. The number of manufacturing and recycling jobs alone that deal with lead, combined with the risk of exposure you have when doing jobs like demolition in older homes and apartments, is increasing as well. Following all the safety protocols and wearing gloves and masks will help you be as safe as you can, and this is critical. If you have lead poisoning, you will likely be questioned about the circumstances when you file a worker’s compensation claim in California. Being fully aware of your environment and the risks is an important task and is a good habit to have when you work in a dangerous profession. If you are ill or get injured, the Normandie Law Firm wants you to know that all employees of any California based company should be covered by the worker’s compensation program.

If you have been hurt at work and need assistance, please get in touch with the Normandie Law Firm. We are ready to help you with any questions you have around the clock. If your questions are about the coverage, support, or benefits, we have staff ready to answer and help you. If your first call to one of our legal team doesn’t resolve all of your problems and questions, we will schedule you for a free initial consultation with one of our Fresno lead poisoning on the job lawyers to get the information about your injury and get your questions documented. This will let our team give you the best advice and support for the challenges you are having. Sharing the details is the primary goal during that first meeting. If we recommend taking legal action, then we will be prepared to do that. Please understand, though, that you are not required to utilize Normandie Law Firm in any way, even after the consultation.

After the Fresno lead poisoning on the job lawyer gathers the information about your incident and illness, they will be ready to help you. Beginning with the review and recommendation of what they believe to be the following steps, to getting the claim opened or progressed and getting you compensated for medical bills, or to pursue your lost wages due to missed work, potentially discuss a lawsuit, the decisions on what comes next are yours. With this knowledge, you can take the steps you feel are most appropriate. One thing of note you should know at this point is the limited amount of time you have to get a claim opened with worker’s compensation.

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The Time Limit To File A Worker’s Compensation Case In California

Thirty calendar days is the normal time limit for filing a claim with the worker’s compensation program. In larger organizations, an injured worker’s employer might have dedicated staff that will work with worker’s comp to get the claim created. For lead poisoning, the state requires that the company notify the state of the poisoning or exposure. That typically occurs immediately after the incident. If your employer attempts to stop you from opening a case with the worker’s compensation, please do not hesitate to contact the Normandie Law Firm staff immediately to get the help to open your claim prior to the 30-day limit. If you do not get it filed before 30 days, your claim will be denied. The 30-day window is a very firm time limit, and the exception to it has to do with cumulative trauma.

What Is Cumulative Trauma In A Workplace Injury?

Injuries that happen as a result of several incidents over a period of time can be attributed to cumulative trauma. This type of injury is eligible for submission of a claim under worker’s compensation beyond the 30 day limit for immediate injuries. An example of a cumulative trauma injury would be repeated incidents that, over time, resulted in back pain and damage, caused by lifting heavy items. The time limit for any cumulative trauma injury is 1 year from the date of the first day of work you sought treatment. Normandie Law Firm is prepared to assist you with getting a claim filed with worker’s compensation insurance, allowing you to take advantage of the benefits you have under the insurance program.

Does The California Worker’s Compensation Program Cover Every Injury At Work?

The short answer is yes, if the injuries in question occurred while doing your job at work during your shift. If an investigation shows that your injuries were actually caused by conduct having nothing to do with work, like a softball game at a company picnic, or if you were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the injury, worker’s compensation will not likely cover the injuries sustained, and your employer will likely not approve them either.

Employees who are injured at work are more focused on getting their medical issues treated than worried about billing. While this is normally the case, an essential piece of information to ask the health care providers about is if they will invoice the worker’s compensation program directly for your treatment and costs. Direct billing decreases the effort you have to make regarding the submission of invoices for payment or reimbursement. Please call Normandie Law Firm to find out about the list of benefits and how we can help you get access to everything the worker’s compensation program for the State of California provides for you.

What Are The Benefits Provided By The Worker’s Compensation?

Below is a list of the key benefits provided by worker’s compensation insurance for all covered employees. It is not a comprehensive list, but it does show the most frequently used benefits and coverages. The coverage offers:

• 100% payment or reimbursement of all the medical expenses related to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of your injuries, including rental of devices such as crutches or a wheelchair, prescriptions, and therapy, with a maximum of 1 million dollars per incident
• 66% of your regular weekly earnings if your injuries will not allow you to work during treatment or if you are hospitalized for an extended period
• Disability payments if your injuries create any restrictions that will reduce or even eliminate your earnings until you are fully healed
• If you are unable to do your original job because of the injuries you have suffered, the program will offer free vocational training. It will help you find employment in a new career once you have been cleared by medical professionals, allowing you to return to work.

How Does An Employee Get Lead Poisoning?

As noted above, there are a great many companies that continue to work with lead often and may run the risk of having staff suffer from lead poisoning. Some of the jobs listed below don’t directly deal with lead on a frequent basis, but still have the risk of severe exposure and illness.

• Firing ranges for the public, as well as training ranges for law enforcement and the military
• Welding shops and job roles
• Lead-acid battery manufacturing and recycling
• Ammunition manufacturing and handling
• Mining/Smelting operations
• Demolition of pre-1978 homes and apartments with lead paint on the walls

It is likely you are aware of the chances of lead poisoning and are taking precautions if you work in a role that deals with lead in any form. You should also be aware of the symptoms and warning signs that accompany lead poisoning.

What Are The Common Warning Signs Of Lead Poisoning?

One thing everyone should understand is that there is no age limit for getting dangerously ill with lead poisoning from exposure to any type of product containing lead or in an environment that generates lead in gas, dust, or any form. No known tolerances exist to avoid getting lead poisoning. The only thing that is effective is prevention. The most common symptoms of lead poisoning include:

• Fatigue
• Vision or hearing loss
• Bluish gums
• Loss of appetite and decreased weight
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation

If you have any of these symptoms above, please get medical attention immediately. Our staff at Normandie Law Firm will be ready to assist you with your needs when you call.

Is My Employer Responsible If I Get Lead Poisoning At Work?

Generally speaking, company liability for any employee who is hurt at work and doing their job is covered by worker’s compensation insurance. As such, the employee is normally restricted to only seeking coverage from the workers’ comp program. The program is considered an exclusive remedy for all workplace injuries.

To be able to sue your employer, you must be able to prove that they are guilty of gross negligence and that it caused the employee’s injuries. The Fresno lead poisoning on the job lawyer at Normandie Law Firm can discuss the particulars of gross negligence and review your options if this has happened.

The Normandie Law Firm Policy Regarding Upfront Expenses And Clients

When you engage a Normandie Law Firm Fresno lead poisoning on the job lawyer for representation or advice and support after a workplace injury, we will not charge you any upfront legal fees before we work on your claim. Please call Normandie Law Firm about any questions or concerns you have. We are ready to represent you.

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