Indeed, the main goal of California’s workers compensation code is to ensure that injured workers are able to meet their financial obligations while they are unable to work due to work related injuries. However, an important part of the work comp industry is preventing accidents.
To that end, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) began to require employers to report any severe work related injury within 24 hours. Essentially, injuries requiring hospitalizations, significant time away from work, or even amputations, required notification.
In a recent report, the DOL noted that it received more than 10,000 calls in 2015, which amounted to nearly 30 calls reporting such injuries each day. The Department has noted that the program has been a success, since it has allowed OSHA to engage more employers in identifying and eliminating serious hazards that could lead to such injuries. The program also allows OSHA to better target their investigations and enforcement actions.
Another benefit of the program was that employers were willing to complete their own investigations, provide their own assessments, and create viable remedies that help in avoiding future injuries.
Of course, there were a handful of employers who skirted their obligations and went to great lengths to conceal workers injuries or to mask hazards that could lead them. Even with a good measure of cooperation by employers, the DOL believes that a number of accidents are still not being reported. Because of this, an experienced workers compensation lawyer can help in advancing your claim.
The preceding is not legal advice.
