We don’t always see them, but we do appreciate their hard work when we enter a clean public bathroom or toss a coffee cup into an empty recycling bin. Janitors, maids, and other cleaning professionals perform physically demanding jobs to keep our offices, schools, homes, and other facilities neat and sanitary.
Not only is cleaning often a thankless job, but it can also result in injuries that prevent these hardworking men and women from earning a living. Musculoskeletal injuries, chemical exposure, slip and falls, and stress are just some of the ways cleaning professionals can become injured at work and forced off their feet for days, weeks, or even months.
Our work injury attorneys recognize the risks of being employed in the janitorial industry. We’ve helped countless janitors and cleaning professionals who have been hurt at work collect the compensation they need to recover, and we can help you, too.
INJURED AT WORK? HERE’S WHAT TO DO:
As a janitor or cleaning professional, there are many ways you can get injured at work. Due to the physical nature of the job, many cleaning services employees suffer musculoskeletal injuries that affect the joints, tendons, ligaments, or muscles in the neck, back, shoulders, hands, and fingers. Exposure to chemical cleaning solutions can also cause injuries like skin burns and irritations as well as respiratory illnesses. Many cleaning professionals suffer injuries related to slip and falls, hearing damage, sleep issues, and stress.
If you are injured on the job, the first thing you should do is get medical help, not only for your own wellbeing but also to demonstrate the seriousness of your injury should you need to file for workers’ compensation. Once you are able, it’s important to notify your employer of your injury, who will provide you with a DWC-1 Claim Form. If your injury is serious and will require you to take time off work, you must submit the completed workers’ compensation claim form to your employer within 30 days of your accident.
While your claim is pending, your employer is required to pay up to $10,000 in medical expenses related to your accident. It’s critical to attend every appointment with your doctor and follow your physician’s instructions exactly. Once your claim is accepted, you will begin receiving temporary disability benefits that will cover a portion of your income while you’re off the job. If your doctor determines that your injury caused permanent impairment that affects your ability to earn a living, you will continue to receive payments in the form of permanent disability benefits even if you are able to return to work.
DO I NEED A LAWYER?
It’s possible to file for workers’ compensation without an attorney. However, the legal system is extremely complex and your employer’s insurance company will employ sneaky tactics to try to deny your right to benefits. A workers’ compensation attorney will stand by your side every step of the way and fight for maximum compensation for your injuries.
ARE YOU A JANITOR OR CLEANING PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS BEEN INJURED AT WORK?
Call the best work injury attorneys in San Diego.
Long after our work is done for the day, janitors and cleaning professionals begin theirs by sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, emptying garbage cans, and scrubbing toilets. These physically demanding tasks can lead to a wide range of injuries from joint and nerve damage to skin allergies and respiratory tract problems.
If you are a janitor or cleaning professional who has suffered an injury on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that will pay for your medical expenses and replace a portion of your lost income while you recover. To find out if you’re eligible, contact us at The Law Office of Matthew Russell. Our work injury attorneys can help you fill out the proper paperwork, submit it on time, and maximize your benefits so you can get back on your feet quickly.
Call us today at (619) 544-1506 to schedule your free consultation.