This Wednesday in Chula Vista, CA, an AT&T worker was struck by a passenger vehicle while standing behind his work truck, severely injuring the worker. The crash occurred around 11 AM on C Street and Date Avenue. According to Chula Vista Police, a 28-year-old headed westbound on C street when the driver slammed into the AT&T worker standing near his parked company truck.
Witnesses described that the AT&T employee was standing behind the company pickup truck near the tailgate when the driver of the red passenger sedan slammed into him and then into the back of his company truck. The red passenger sedan then kept moving forward, dragging the AT&T worker down the road and severing his legs. Police said that the worker was then trapped underneath one of the vehicles. When firefighters and paramedics arrived on the scene, a nearby resident rushed over with a car jack to help lift the vehicle and extract the victim from underneath. He was then transported to the hospital with severe life-threatening injuries. The driver of the red passenger sedan was also brought to the hospital, but their injuries are unknown. Police have stated that drugs or alcohol are not believed to be involved in this incident. However, there is reason to believe the sedan driver may have had a medical condition that contributed to the cause of the crash. Streets near the impact area have been closed for investigation, and police have asked the public to come forward with any details to help assist in their investigation.
Disability and California Workers’ Compensation
In California, the workers’ compensation system allows those injured while on the job that cannot return to work to collect direct benefit payments. These benefits fall into the following categories:
Permanent Disability: If an employee cannot work or is permanently limited to the type of work they can perform after sustaining an injury. That individual may be entitled to permanent disability benefits. These disability payments are awarded on a long-term or extended basis to help compensate for a worker’s inability to perform their job or work at the same capacity as before they suffered a work-related injury. These disability payments can either be for permanent partial disability or permanent total disability. For example, the AT&T worker involved in the horrific crash that severed both of his legs may be entitled to permanent disability benefits. However, a worker who has suffered a less severe injury may also qualify for permanent disability.
Total Temporary Disability: When individuals cannot work for a specific time, they may be entitled to total temporary disability benefits. For example, if a worker suffers a broken bone or cannot work because of medical restrictions. Individuals who receive total temporary disability may be awarded higher benefit amounts for a limited period.
Temporary Partial Disability: If an individual is not fully disabled but has some form of restriction or condition that limits their capacity to work, they may be given temporary partial disability benefits. This can occur in several different situations, such as if a person suffered a back injury but can still perform most of their job duties. Or if their employer can make accommodations to support their situation without placing their condition at risk for further injury. Temporary partial disability benefits are designed to make up for the difference between the worker’s salary and what they were paid before their injury.
This Wednesday in Chula Vista, an AT&T worker was struck by a passenger vehicle while standing behind his work truck, severely injuring the worker. According to Chula Vista Police, a 28-year-old driver slammed into the AT&T worker standing near his parked company truck. The AT&T worker was taken to the hospital for severe life-threatening injuries and will most likely require surgery and intensive care. In situations like these, where a worker will most likely be permanently disabled, individuals should be conscious of the different forms of disability benefits available to them to help financially during these challenging times.
Suppose you have suffered a severe injury while working and are now faced with a permanent or temporary disability. In that case, our team of attorneys at Stockton Workers Compensation, Attorneys P.C., wants to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our expert workers comp attorneys in Stockton have a track record of success handling workers’ compensation cases. To take advantage of your FREE no-obligation consultation, visit our website or give us a call to speak directly with an attorney.
