Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, APCOzurovich, Schwartz & Brown, APC2024-02-22T05:39:02Zhttps://www.osblaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1303056/2020/02/cropped-apple-touch-icon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499232024-02-16T05:39:14Z2024-02-22T05:39:02Zcertain professions pose a higher risk due to the nature of the tasks involved. Being aware of the professions that significantly elevate the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome can help workers prepare for occupational hazards.
Nurses
Nursing is a demanding profession that requires compassion, dedication and a high level of technical skill. While nurses play a crucial role in patient care, their work often involves repetitive motions such as:
Lifting patients
Administering medication
Documenting medical records
These repetitive tasks put nursing assistants at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. Not to mention that long hours of standing and the use of handheld devices for charting significantly increase the risk of developing this condition.
Data entry clerks
Data entry clerks spend a substantial amount of time typing on keyboards, often for extended periods without adequate breaks. The repetitive motion of typing can exert pressure on the median nerve. This can lead to inflammation and compression within the carpal tunnel.
Additionally, the use of poorly designed keyboards or improper typing techniques can exacerbate the risk of developing CTS among data entry professionals. Regular breaks and stretching exercises may help alleviate strain on the wrists and hands, potentially reducing the likelihood of CTS development.
Assembly line workers
Assembly line workers engage in repetitive tasks, such as assembling components or packaging products, which involve constant hand and wrist movements. The repetitive nature of these activities, coupled with the use of vibrating tools or machinery, can increase the risk of CTS development over time.
Prolonged exposure to repetitive motions without sufficient rest intervals can lead to inflammation and compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. Adjustable height settings at workstations and vibration-dampening tools can also help alleviate pressure on the wrists and hands.
Many workers face significant risks of developing carpal tunnel syndrome due to the nature of their profession. By being aware of risk factors, workers can do their best to help minimize the likelihood that they’ll develop this kind of harm. Workers who have already sustained significant injuries should consider pursuing any workers’ compensation benefits that they may be entitled to.]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499222024-01-22T07:51:26Z2024-01-25T23:12:18Znature of these risks is essential for developing effective strategies to mitigate them. This includes awareness of common causes of harm.
Lifting and moving patients
A common risk in hospitals is injury from lifting and moving patients. Hospital staff frequently engage in physically demanding tasks that can strain muscles and lead to musculoskeletal disorders. These injuries are often the result of repetitive movements, awkward postures and the lifting of heavy loads, making proper training and the use of assistive devices critical for prevention.
Slip or trip and falls
Hospital environments can be prone to slip or trip and fall incidents. Wet floors, cluttered corridors and uneven surfaces contribute to these accidents. Such falls can lead to a range of injuries, from minor bruises to more severe fractures or head injuries. Ensuring regular maintenance, clear signage for potential hazards and adherence to safety protocols are key measures to reduce these incidents.
Contact with bodily fluids
Bodily fluids are a source of injury and infection. Accidental splashes or improper handling can lead to exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other infectious agents. Protective gear like gloves, masks and goggles, along with strict adherence to hygiene protocols, are essential for minimizing these risks.
Patient violence
Violence from patients or visitors is a significant concern in healthcare settings. Hospital workers may face physical or verbal assaults, leading to both physical injury and psychological trauma. Implementing security measures, training staff in de-escalation techniques and providing support systems for affected workers are crucial steps in addressing this issue.
Sharps sticks
Injuries from needles and other sharp instruments are a common hazard in hospital settings. These sharps injuries can lead to the transmission of infectious diseases like HIV or hepatitis. Safe handling practices, proper disposal of sharps and the use of safety-engineered devices are important for reducing the incidence of such injuries.
Injured hospital workers should get immediate medical care. While some might be tempted to remain at work until their shift is over, this could lead to a worsening of the injury. Their medical care should be covered by workers’ compensation and other benefits might also be available. Exercising these rights can help to ensure that there is no lasting harm as a result of employment-related injury or illness.]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499212023-12-18T10:29:23Z2023-12-21T10:28:57ZThe wait time depends on the location
Every SSA office has a different number of employees and a different volume of applications coming through at any given time. Applicants have little way of knowing what to expect when they receive a rejection notice and decide to appeal. The SSA strives for transparency and therefore provides information about the average wait time at different SSA offices.
Currently, the SSA office in Long Beach reports a 23-month wait time for SSDI appeals hearings. The Los Angeles West office averages an 18-month wait, while the downtown Los Angeles office has an average wait time of 19 months. The office handling someone's application ultimately determines how long they wait for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.
The applicant can use those months to gather more medical evidence and prepare for their time in court. People who are aware of the lengthy wait required can also make alternative arrangements to cover their financial needs until they finally have their hearing. If a judge approves the appeal and grants someone benefits, they could receive backdated benefits in a lump sum that could help them catch up on their past-due financial obligations.
It can be very stressful to wait for a review of a benefits application when someone is unable to work. Seeking legal guidance and learning more about the process for SSDI appeals can help people better manage their finances and expectations as they move forward in pursuit of benefits.]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499142023-11-13T08:56:38Z2023-11-16T08:56:03Zmost fatal accidents. As a result, these have become known as the Fatal Four. Workers need to know what they are so that they can stay safer on the job.
Falls
First of all, falls are responsible for the most injuries and fatalities year in and year out. This injury category includes when a worker trips on a staircase or slips and falls on a slick floor. It also includes when someone falls from a ladder or off of a roof. Always remember that people don’t have to be very high to suffer fatal injuries as a result of a fall.
Struck-by
Next, there are incidents where workers are struck by tools or moving equipment. This could include a scenario where a worker walks behind a truck that is backing up, for example. But it could also include a worker who is struck by a falling power tool, which was not secured properly by another worker above.
Caught between
Trench collapses are an example of a worker being dangerously caught between both sides of the trench. But these injuries also often happen when workers are using heavy equipment and machinery. Those who work with hydraulic presses face a high degree of related injury risk, for example.
Electrocutions
Finally, workers too often pass away in electrocution accidents. This sometimes happens because they are working with wires and installing electrical systems directly. But it could also happen when workers are digging and accidentally strike a powerline or when a ladder hits a powerline over a job site.
Seeking workers’ comp benefits
The above are definitely known as the Fatal Four for a reason, but it’s also important to remember that most workers will not pass away from their injuries in the event of workplace harm. In many cases, non-fatal injuries can be quite severe. It’s important for workers to know what legal steps to take to seek proper workers’ comp benefits under such circumstances. Seeking legal guidance is a good way to begin.]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499132023-10-12T06:05:50Z2023-10-18T06:05:31ZSome employees may qualify under the worn-out worker rule
Certain types of work are more likely to cause damage to the human body than others. Putting in 40 hours a week at a factory lifting and twisting for years could cause a variety of debilitating symptoms that will affect someone's quality of life and independence as they age. The SSA recognizes how manual labor may impact the human body more severely than office or retail employment. Therefore, the SSA does allow some people to qualify for SSDI benefits using the worn-out worker rule. Those who have performed manual labor for at least 30 years may qualify for SSDI benefits if their medical conditions force them to change professions.
Generally, workers need to have a marginal education, meaning that they have not achieved any significant level of education. Blue-collar workers who would not be able to transition into a well-paid position elsewhere because of their lack of education who now have disabling medical conditions could qualify for SSDI benefits even though they might be able to work other, less-demanding jobs.
Blue-collar workers are some of the most hard-working adults in the United States, and they should not have to worry about poverty in the years leading to retirement or living with debilitating pain because of how their jobs have affected their health. Ultimately, seeking legal guidance to learn more about the rules for SSDI benefits may help people get the support they need when they can no longer work.]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499122023-09-15T07:04:43Z2023-09-20T07:04:30ZThe condition must be debilitating
The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a relatively comprehensive list of different types of medical conditions that could leave someone unable to work. From neurological and mental health conditions to debilitating cancers, any of these medical concerns could potentially make someone eligible for SSDI benefits. However, each case is unique, and it will be the severity of someone's condition, rather than a specific diagnosis, that will determine whether someone receives SSDI benefits or not. Someone will usually need sufficient medical documentation to establish that the condition they have prevents them from pursuing any form of gainful employment if they hope to qualify.
The condition will need to last at least a year
There are certain conditions that leave someone completely unable to work but will not qualify them for SSDI benefits. A broken bone would be a perfect example. Someone might require several months away from their job after a fracture, but even if they require surgery, they will likely be able to return to work after a few months. For SSDI benefits to be an option, someone's condition will need to last for at least a year. Those with terminal conditions or incurable medical challenges that will last for the rest of their life will likely have the strongest claim to SSDI benefits.
Those who don't get approved initially when they apply for benefits may have failed to submit adequate documentation showing either the severity of their condition or how long it will last. Learning about the criteria for SSDI may help people with the initial application process or may give them confidence about the decision to appeal the initial determination in their case.]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499102023-08-11T06:57:30Z2023-08-17T06:56:53ZMost of the time, fault does not matter
The good news for injured employees in California is that the workers' compensation program provides no-fault coverage. A worker neither needs to have evidence that the company was at fault for their injuries nor do they need to prove that they had no role in the incident. Workers' compensation applies to fluke accidents and product failures, as well as to situations where workers make mistakes and get hurt on the job as a result. Whether a worker tripped over an untied shoelace or made a timing error on a production line, their unintentional contributory fault to the workplace incident that left them hurt will typically play no role in their workers' compensation claim.
However, there are a few exceptions to the no-fault coverage rules. The best-known is likely a situation in which a worker is under the influence of drugs or alcohol on the job. If an employer can show that a worker was intoxicated and that their intoxication caused their injury, the worker's eligibility for benefits could be at risk. There are also cases where employers can show that a worker either violated company policy or injured themselves on purpose which result in a worker losing their benefits. Finally, situations in which workers do not comply with medical instructions and therefore do not improve during treatment might result in them losing benefits.
Workers often find that they are eligible for workers' compensation benefits even when a coworker or a supervisor at their job tries to tell them otherwise. Learning more about the rules for workers' compensation benefits in California may help those dealing with medical issues to accurately determine whether they are in a position to file a claim.
]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499082023-07-25T17:19:16Z2023-07-28T17:18:14Zfor each $1,640 earned, up to the maximum of four credits annually.
When an adult applies for SSD benefits, they typically need to have at least 40 credits on their record. Additionally, the SSA generally expects that they will have accrued at least 20 of those credits within the last 10 years. However, disabling medical conditions can arise at any age, and the SSA does have a sliding scale that applies to workers under the age of 31. Generally, the agency requires less work history but must have remained employed for at least half of the time since they became adults to secure full benefits with fewer than 40 credits accrued.
How can someone verify their credits with the SSA?
Confirming one's eligibility for SSD benefits based on employment history often requires either visiting a local SSA office or creating a digital account to look online at one's history of contributions and credits.
Those who validate that their condition may qualify and that their employment history is sufficient will be in the best position to secure SSD benefits. Learning more about the basic requirements for SSD may help those with major medical issues feel more confident about applying for the support they need.]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=499072023-06-20T13:33:21Z2023-06-23T13:32:41ZWhat exactly is a utilization review?
Care that is necessary and appropriate given someone's diagnosis is often eligible for full coverage, which means the worker has no out-of-pocket expenses. However, there isn't always an immediate consensus about what the best treatment options will be for a specific worker. Utilization reviews help to validate treatment plans. The process involves comparing the treatment suggested by the physician overseeing a worker's care with the current best practices for specific conditions. The more invasive or experimental the treatment a doctor recommends is, the more likely it becomes to have that recommendation undergo a utilization review.
For some conditions, there's only one likely treatment option. Someone with an infection caused by a workplace injury will typically require wound care and a regimen of antibiotics. However, there are many medical conditions that may respond to multiple different types of treatments, and there may sometimes be disagreements about the type of care a worker should receive.
A utilization review helps to resolve such disputes so that workers get the best care. Workers who understand the unique rules and requirements that apply to workers' compensation claims will be better equipped to navigate the claims process and get the benefits they require. Those facing challenging claims may require legal support when applying for workers' compensation or negotiating what treatment they will receive.]]>On Behalf of Ozurovich, Schwartz & Brown, A Professional Corp.https://www.osblaw.com/?p=498802023-05-23T04:41:29Z2023-05-27T04:39:47ZA step-by-step guide on how to keep a pain journal
Your pain journal doesn’t have to be fancy. A simple notebook that you can easily carry with you to doctor’s appointments will do. To keep a good pain journal:
Note the date and time: Start each entry with the date and time of the pain occurrence. This will help you identify patterns or triggers and can help you avoid them.
Rate your pain: Use a pain scale to rate the intensity of your pain. You can use a numeric scale (e.g., 0 to 10) or descriptive terms (e.g., mild, moderate, severe).
Describe the pain: Where is the pain located? Is it sharp, dull, throbbing, burning or something else? Try to be as descriptive as possible.
Note any triggers you spot: Pay attention to anything that may trigger or influence your pain. This can include your regular daily activities, weather conditions and stress levels.
Document your pain relief measures: Write down the measure you’ve taken for relief, such as medications, hot/cold packs, relaxation techniques or alternative therapies. Note whether these measures were effective at providing relief and, if so, for how long.
Be consistent about the process: It's important to record your observations as soon as possible both for accuracy and to avoid forgetting important details. Again, consistency is key to a pain journal’s usefulness.
Make sure that you take your pain journal with you to every doctor’s visit to discuss with your provider so that your observations are documented in the records that will ultimately be reviewed by SSA.
If you’re struggling to get your Social Security Disability claim approved, seek legal guidance. You don’t have to navigate this process without assistance.]]>