Agriculture is a prominent industry in the state of California. Many people in San Francisco work in farming, fishing, forestry, ranching, and other sectors of the agriculture industry. These workers face a number of hazards in their work environments, so it’s not surprising that many agricultural workers suffer on-the-job injuries every year.
If you have suffered an agricultural workplace injury in San Francisco, workers’ compensation lawyers Robert Wyman and Daniel Hegwer can help you fight for the benefits you deserve. Here’s what you need to know to protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits for your agricultural injuries:
- Are Agriculture Workers in San Francisco Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
- Common Hazards in the Agriculture Industry in San Francisco
- What Agriculture Workplace Injuries Qualify For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in San Francisco?
- When Should Agriculture Workers Contact A San Francisco Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
Are Agriculture Workers in San Francisco Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
To determine if you are eligible for benefits, it’s important to understand how you are classified with your employer. Every worker in the agricultural industry is classified as either an independent contractor or employee. All employers in California must provide workers’ compensation benefits to workers that are legally classified as employees. But there is no law that requires employers to provide these benefits to other workers such as independent contractors or volunteers. Because of this, your classification will determine whether or not you are eligible for benefits after a workplace injury.
Common Hazards in the Agriculture Industry in San Francisco
Agricultural workers are exposed to a number of dangerous hazards in the workplace, including:
- Loud noise
- Extreme environmental elements, including high or low temperatures
- Animal attacks
- Exposure to viruses, bacteria, and other animal-acquired infections
- Heavy machinery and equipment
- Exposure to pesticides and other hazardous chemicals
- Transportation accidents
- Unstable ladders
- Overexertion/stress injuries
- Grain bin and silo hazards
These are some of the many hazards that lead to workplace injuries among agricultural workers in San Francisco.
What Agriculture Workplace Injuries Qualify For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in San Francisco?
Workers in the agricultural industry may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits for two main types of injuries: specific and cumulative injuries.
Specific injuries are sustained in isolated accidents. For example, a farmworker who is injured in a tractor rollover accident has sustained specific injuries. Some of the most common specific injuries sustained in the agricultural industry include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Crushed limbs
- Cuts/lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Amputation
- Back injuries
Agricultural workers can sustain cumulative injuries as well. These injuries develop over a long period of time and are caused by repeatedly performing the same actions or engaging in the same activities. For example, an agricultural employee may injure the soft tissues in his wrists as a result of repeatedly using the same tools at work. Some of the most common cumulative injuries sustained in the agriculture industry include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Tendinitis
- Stenosing tenosynovitis
- Capsulitis
The workers’ compensation system in San Francisco covers all work-related injuries, which means agricultural workers can qualify for benefits regardless of whether their injuries are specific or cumulative.
When Should Agriculture Workers Contact A San Francisco Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
If you have been injured while working in the agriculture industry, it’s best to contact a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Attorneys Robert Wyman and Daniel Hegwer will immediately begin protecting your rights and working towards a resolution. They will ensure you meet the workers’ compensation claim deadlines, submit the right paperwork, and receive treatment for your injuries. They will also communicate with the insurance company on your behalf to make sure you are fully compensated for your injuries. With their help, injured workers can rest easy knowing that they will secure the benefits they need to cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and permanent disabilities. Don’t let the insurance company talk you into settling for less than you deserve—let Robert Wyman and Daniel Hegwer protect your best interests throughout the workers’ compensation claim process.
Schedule A Free Case Evaluation With Our Agriculture Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in San Francisco
If you are an agricultural worker in San Francisco who has sustained work-related injuries, there’s no time to waste. Contact Wyman & Hegwer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Robert Wyman and Daniel Hegwer are experienced workers’ compensation attorneys who have helped countless workers in the agriculture industry secure the benefits they deserve. Schedule a free consultation with our team by calling (415) 448-5107 or submitting your information via the form on this website.