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Repetitive Motion Injuries at Work

Topics: Workers' Compensation

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No one expects or wants to suffer an on the job injury, but injuries do happen; it is why employers are required by law to provide workers' compensation coverage for their workers.  Workers' compensation insurance is designed to provide benefits to injured workers when a work injury occurs.  Most workers understand that if they suffer an injury as the result of a sudden workplace accident, such as a fall from a ladder, car accident while on duty, or slip and fall, that they will be covered.  However, many workers overlook the possibility of an injury that occurs over time. Injuries that develop over time after continuously performing a task for weeks, months, or years are called repetitive motion injuries.  The most well-known type of repetitive motion injury is likely Capral Tunnel Syndrome, which can cause weakness, numbing, or tingling in the hand because of nerve pressure stemming from typing or writing. Other common types of repetitive injuries include tendinitis (inflammation of the tendons) and bursitis (inflammation of the bursae), both of which can affect many areas of the body, including the neck, shoulder, elbow, hips, and knees. Repetitive motion injuries can manifest as pain, discomfort, swelling, tingling, numbness, or weakness without any visible sign of injury or inflammation.  Due to their nature, many workers do not identify or report their repetitive motion injury early on and continue to perform their assigned tasks, further aggravating the injury.  Many workers only report the injury when the injury becomes painful and the discomfort become unbearable.  The delay in reporting the injury also makes the injury more difficult to treat. Fortunately for workers, repetitive motion injuries are eligible for workers' compensation benefits.  If a worker suspects that he or she is developing a repetitive motion injury it is important to report it and seek treatment as early as possible, before it becomes a chronic problem.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth helps injured workers navigate the complex California workers' compensation system.  We can help you seek treatment and compensation for lost wages.  We offer 100% free consultations and will not charge any fees if we cannot recover for you.  Call us today at 888-517-9888.
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San Gabriel Valley Master Key – Episode 32 – Michael Taing

Topics: San Gabriel Valley Master Key

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Episode 32 of the San Gabriel Valley Master Key podcast, co-hosted by Attorney Scott Warmuth, officially released today! Episode 32 features Michael Taing, entrepreneur and operator of Cha Cafe in El Monte.

Michael Taing grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and is an Asian American Entrepreneur and family man. He is the father of a special needs child and supports the hearing impaired community. With a passion for Culinary Creativity he enjoys the daily operations of Cha Cafe in El Monte. From personally picking fresh produce to making the sauces and working along side the staff he has a totally hands on approach to business.

Available now on Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRADIO!  Visit the San Gabriel Valley Master Key website for more information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Know Your Rights – Paid COVID-19 Leave

Topics: Covid-19, Employment Law

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Employment Law Attorney Jean H. Power and Case File Manager Ting Xu discuss paid leave for COVID-19.  Workers who have not been paid the proper wages or have not been allowed entitled sick leave should contact our employment law team at 626-282-6868 for a free consultation and case evaluation.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Beh6G_UAUwY" el_width="60" align="center"][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Do You Need Insurance For a Rental Car?

Topics: Auto Accident

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Every driver in California must have valid car insurance coverage before getting behind the wheel.  At the bare minimum, California drivers must have $15,000/$30,000 minimum liability coverage.  There are several other types of car insurance coverages that protect drivers, including the important uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.  Insurance requirements are the same whether or not the driver owns the car, is borrowing the car, or is renting the car. In most circumstances, liability and comprehensive car insurance coverage applies to the driver, not the vehicle.  So if you insure a vehicle already, that coverage will extend to a rental vehicle.  But even with the extended coverage, there may be circumstances where you will want to at least consider purchasing additional insurance coverage when you rent a vehicle.  If you are not on any vehicle insurance policy you will need to procure rental insurance before being able to legally drive a rental vehicle.  Car rental agencies typically require proof of insurance before they will rent a vehicle. California has one of the lowest minimum liability requirements in the United States, so if you have the bare minimum in insurance coverage you may not meet the legal requirement of liability insurance in other states.  If you do not carry collision coverage and cause a crash, you may be on the hook for the repair of the rental vehicle.  If you do not carry comprehensive insurance coverage on your personal vehicle, you may be on the hook if your rental vehicle is stolen or suffers damage.  And even if you do carry coverage, that coverage may not be enough if you are renting a high-end vehicle. Prior to renting a vehicle, it is important to check for any potential gaps in insurance coverage.  Rental car companies typically offer insurances that cover liability, medical payments, comprehensive coverage, and personal property coverage.  If your car insurance covers does not cover any of those categories, it might be worth protecting yourself.  The best way to verify your insurance coverage when renting a vehicle is to contact your insurance company.  According to consumer finance website WalletHub, if you have personal auto insurance and pay for your rental with a credit card, you may not need additional coverage. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth as previously explained why it is important to have car insurance, especially in California.  Whether you are driving your own vehicle or a rental, car insurance protects you and everyone else on the roads from possible financial disaster should a collision occur.  If you have been injured in a car crash, our auto accident attorneys can help you seek medical treatment and financial recovery.  Call us today at 888-517-9888 to receive a free case consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Supreme Court Hears Case on TPS and Green Cards

Topics: Immigration

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The United States Supreme Court heard arguments Monday regarding the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program and the ability of immigrants with TPS who entered the country without documents to seek green cards.  The case was brought by two Salvadoran immigrants who entered the US in 1997 and 1998, receiving TPS status in 2001 when El Salvador was designated as eligible.  It appears unlikely that the Supreme Court will decide in their favor.  The case is Sanchez v. Mayorkas. A ruling in this case could affect hundreds of thousands of immigrants from numerous countries who have TPS and entered the country without documentation.  At issue is the wording of a legal statute that states that immigrants must be "inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States" to adjust status.  United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals do not believe that the applicants meet this requirement, even though they have been in the country for more than 20 years.  US Supreme Court watchers believe that the majority of justices agree. A recent immigration bill that was passed in the US House of Representatives, named the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, included the ability for TPS holders to seek permanent residency by specifying that all individuals with TPS designation are considered inspected and admitted.  However, the bill currently faces an uphill battle in the US Senate.  There is a small possibility that a ruling against the TPS applicants in this case could spur action in the Senate on this or another immigration bill. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth continuously monitors any potential changes to immigration law so we can be prepared to immediately help our clients achieve their immigration goals.  We provide free initial immigration consultations and can help you determine any possible avenues to securing a visa or green card.  Call us today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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San Gabriel Valley Master Key – Episode 31 – Jean Power

Topics: San Gabriel Valley Master Key

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Episode 31 of the San Gabriel Valley Master Key podcast, co-hosted by Attorney Scott Warmuth, officially released today! Episode 31 features Jean Power, employment law attorney.

Jean Power is a civil litigator with a diverse base of legal experience. She currently focuses her legal practice primarily on labor and employment law, handling a diverse range of cases including wage and hour, class actions, PAGA claims, wrongful termination, and employment discrimination. As a results-oriented advocate, Jean leverages all available resources at the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth to obtain the best results possible for her clients. She works directly with the workers’ compensation team to ensure that no employers are taking advantage of injured workers and that all of our clients’ legal rights are protected.

Available now on Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRADIO!  Visit the San Gabriel Valley Master Key website for more information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Mitigating Risk for the Most Common Work Injuries

Topics: Workers' Compensation

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In 2019, the three most common work injuries that resulted in missed work days account for 84.3% of all incidents, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).  The top three causes are not likely to surprise many people:  overexertion, slip and falls, and coming into contact with or being struck by equipment.  These three causes resulted in about 750,000 cases of work injuries and millions of missed days of work.  Overexertion and slip and falls were most likely to be experienced by older workers, but equipment injuries were most likely to be experienced by young workers.

See the NSC infographic here. Not all workplace accidents can be prevented, but there are ways to mitigate risks for each of the common injury categories.

Overexertion injury prevention

Overexertion can occur when attempting to lift or move a heavy object or when making repetitive motions.  The back is the most likely body part to be injured from overexertion.  If your job requires significant lifting or moving of heavy objects, following the best practices for lifting can prevent injury.
  • Use equipment designed to help lift, such as a lifting belt and gloves
  • Use tools designed to help lift, such as a dolly or hand truck
  • Lift with the legs, not the back
  • Seek help if a load might be too heavy or awkward
  • Stretch prior to lifting
Help avoid repetitive motion injuries by using ergonomic equipment and/or braces to assist in your work.

Slip and fall injury prevention

The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth has previously blogged about slip and fall accidents.  There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of injury from a slip and fall, but much of the responsibility relies on employer practices.  Your place of employment should take the following steps to protect you:
  • Ensure a safe, clean workspace
  • Promptly clear any wet or slippery surfaces
  • Remove obstructions from narrow paths
  • Create a well-lit environment
But there are also actions you can take to reduce your risk of a slip and fall injury:
  • Wear the appropriate footwear for your environment
  • Avoid distracted walking, including talking on a cell phone
  • Avoid areas under construction or areas with hazard signs
  • Stay aware of your surroundings

Equipment injury prevention

It may be difficult to prevent injury in the event of equipment failure, but injuries involving properly functioning equipment can be prevented.  Some responsibilities for injury prevention will fall to management:
  • Provide a complete safety plan for workers
  • Research the hazards associated with workplace equipment
  • Provide education on those hazards to workers
  • Provide the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
Workers who know they are working with potentially dangerous equipment can also help themselves:
  • Stay aware of your surroundings at all time
  • Stay knowledgeable about the risks of using or being near potentially dangerous equipment
  • Wear the appropriate PPE at all times
If you do become injured at work despite your best efforts, contact an attorney The California workers' compensation system is notoriously complex.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth helps injured workers navigate the system, receive treatment for their injuries, and seek financial help for missed work.  Our firm provides free initial consultations and if we do not win your case we will not charge you for our services.  Our workers' compensation attorneys are here to help.  Call us today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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San Gabriel Valley Master Key – Episode 30 – Glenn Evans (Part 2)

Topics: San Gabriel Valley Master Key

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Episode 30 of the San Gabriel Valley Master Key podcast, co-hosted by Attorney Scott Warmuth, officially released yesterday! Episode 30 features part 2 of a conversation with Glenn Evans, Director of Photography and Adventure Cameraman. Episode Description:

Glenn Evans is a Director of Photography and Adventure Camera man specializing in filming tv shows about Hidden Treasure, Ancient Architecture and Endangered and Exotic Animals. Glenn has filmed in 68 countries around the world for Discovery Channel, History Channel, Netflix, ABC and many other networks. Born in Oregon on a blueberry farm and leaving for California to work in the film and tv industry the camera has been Glenn’s key to world travel and adventure.

Available now on Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRADIO!  Visit the San Gabriel Valley Master Key website for more information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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What is Debt Consolidation?

Topics: Debt Relief

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At its core, debt consolidation is a potential avenue to eliminate debt over time by moving several high interest debts into one low interest debt.  Of course, consolidating debt is never as simple in practice.  Debt consolidation is one of many tools consumers with significant debt liability can use to overcome their financial problems, but it is not for everyone.  An experienced debt relief expert can help you determine if debt consolidation is right for you.  For now, we'll explain some of the ins and outs of the practice. Debt consolidation works best as an option for people who owe a lot of debt to numerous creditors.  It is not an immediate fix, as the debt is not erased after consolidation.  However, the debt does become much more manageable and can be paid off much faster.  For example, let's say you have five loans of $5,000 each at an average interest rate of 16%.  If you paid $100 monthly towards each loan, it would take 7 years to pay off the loans with over $16,000 paid in interest.  If those loans are consolidated at an interest rate of 9% and you keep the same monthly payment amount of $500, it takes just over 5 years to pay off the debt with just under $6,400 paid in interest.  In this hypothetical case, you'd save nearly $10,000 and pay off your loan almost 2 years faster. Of course, the most typical type of debt consolidation practice, a loan, does not quite work this way.  Debt consolidation loans often come with payback deadlines and interest rates that might be higher for applicants with less than perfect credit.  Understanding the terms of any debt consolidation loan is important, and why we recommend working with debt reduction experts.  Debt consolidation must be managed carefully, as continuing to accrue debt could defeat the true purpose of debt consolidation in the first place. There are many strategies to help consumers eliminate their debts.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth offers free legal consultations to help you determine what strategy may work best for your individual circumstances.  Call us today at 888-517-9888 to begin your path to becoming debt free.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Collecting Evidence After a Personal Injury

Topics: Auto Accident, Personal Injury

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pursuing a personal injury case, whether its a car accident, slip and fall, dog bite, or any other kind of personal injury, requires evidence.  Evidence can not only prove that you are not at fault for your injuries but can also prove how devastating your injuries are.  Collecting and preserving evidence is one of the best ways to help yourself and your personal injury attorney pursue a legal claim for financial compensation.  However, we understand that collecting and preserving evidence in the immediate aftermath of a personal injury is challenging at best and impossible at worst.  But knowing in advance what you can do to secure evidence and protect your rights will help. If you are physically able to take these actions in the aftermath of an injury, doing so can help collect and preserve evidence for a potential personal injury claim. Seek Out Witnesses Witness testimony can confirm the story of how events unfolded and ensure that the at-fault party is correctly identified.  Collect the contact information of any witness who saw the accident or injury occur.  If possible, document their version of events in writing or in audio (using a voice record memo on your phone).  Even if you do not get their story, having their contact information means an injury attorney can seek their statement later. Make a Photographic Record Taking pictures or video in the immediate aftermath of your injury can help you document the scene of the accident or injury and keep details of the situation fresh in your mind.  For car crashes, take pictures or video of the vehicle damage, any physical injuries sustained, the license plate of other involved vehicles, the road conditions, obstructions, or anything else that you think may have contributed to the crash.  For dog bites, if it is safe, take pictures of the dog and the owner.  If you are unsure of who the dog's owner is, take pictures of where you think the dog may have come from or anything else you may consider a clue as to the dog's owner.  For slip and falls, document the condition and hazards of the area in which you fell. Keep Possession of Physical Evidence Anything related to your personal injury should be kept in your possession and preserved if possible.  Even if a physical item is no longer useable, say a damaged child seat or ripped and bloody clothing, preserve it and make sure it is not discarded.  This type of physical evidence can be used to show just how severe your injuries are.  If its not possible to keep certain evidence, such as a totaled vehicle that is no longer drivable, document where it is being taken. Take Notes Keep a written record of your injuries and any pain or discomfort you feel in the aftermath of your incident.  Not only can this help during the course of your medical treatment and recovery, but also for associating the injuries with the incident. Contact an Experienced Injury Attorney An experienced injury attorney can take call of the evidence you have collected and help you get the medical treatment and financial recovery you deserve after your personal injury with no out-of-pocket expenses or financial risk.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth has been helping injury victims for decades and accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.  That means that if we do not win your case we will not charge for our services.  We also offer 100% free consultations with no obligation to provide you with an evaluation of your legal case.  Call us today at 888-517-9888 to speak with our injury experts![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]