Workers’ Compensation for Heart Attacks

California Workers’ Comp for Heart Attacks on the Job

Workers’ comp is designed to provide benefits for employees who are either injured or who become sick on the job. The workers’ compensation program is considered to be “no fault,” which means there is no need to prove negligence or assign blame when an accident or injury occurs. Some claims are fairly routine, such as injuries caused by a repetitive physical motion, a fall, or an industrial accident. Other injuries, including heart attacks, are much more difficult to prove.

In the past, a worker was required to show that a work-related heart attack was the direct result of significant physical exertion required by the job. That, however, is no longer the case. A heart attack brought on by job-related mental and/or emotional stress, or even by the sudden stress of receiving news such as a poor review can qualify under workers’ compensation guidelines.

California Workers’ Comp Law on Heart Attacks

In California, when a heart attack occurs following a stressful situation or interaction at work, it can qualify as a work-related injury. In fact, the workers’ compensation claim form actually lists heart attacks as one of its “body parts code” numbers. However, if the work-related stress is determined to have aggravated a pre-existing condition, the amount of compensation will be limited to what can reasonably be attributed to the working environment.

In order to pursue a claim for a work-related heart attack, the worker would need to provide proof that the heart attack occurred, and additionally, that it occurred in relation to and during the course of their work. In other words, in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, the employee would need to provide a medical opinion stating that the heart attack was at least partly the result of physical, mental or emotional work-related stress.

It is important to note that under California law, for a heart attack to qualify for workers compensation benefits, the work-related stress need not be the sole cause of the injury. It only needs to be a “substantial contributing cause”.

Recent California Cases: Workers Comp for Workplace Heart Attacks

Several recent California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decisions have reinforced the right to collect workers’ compensation for job-related heart attacks. In City of Los Angeles v. WCAB (2020), a police officer’s fatal heart attack was deemed compensable after evidence showed the cumulative effect of job stress and PTSD contributed to his cardiac condition. The decision emphasized that even when other risk factors exist, work-related stress can be a substantial contributing cause.

In a groundbreaking 2021 case involving a healthcare worker, the WCAB found that COVID-19-related workplace stress substantially contributed to the employee’s heart attack. The board recognized that unprecedented working conditions and emotional strain during the pandemic could constitute a compensable cause of cardiac events, even without physical overexertion.

The California Supreme Court’s approach to workplace heart attacks was further clarified in a case involving a municipal employee who suffered a heart attack shortly after a contentious performance review. The court upheld that acute emotional stress from workplace incidents can trigger compensable cardiac events, even when the employee had pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

Why You Need a Workers Comp Attorney to Collect for a Heart Attack on the Job

Workplace heart attack claims face intense scrutiny from insurance companies, who typically argue that personal risk factors or pre-existing conditions were the primary cause. At the Law Firm of Cantrell Green in Long Beach, CA, our workers comp attorneys understand how to demonstrate that workplace stress or conditions significantly contributed to the cardiac event, even when other risk factors exist.

Building a successful heart attack claim requires extensive medical and workplace documentation. Our attorneys work with medical experts to establish the connection between job-related stress and cardiac events. We gather evidence of workplace stressors, including long hours, high-pressure situations, difficult workplace relationships, or traumatic incidents that contributed to the heart attack.

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize or deny these claims by focusing on personal health factors such as age, weight, smoking history, or family medical history. Our experienced workers comp attorneys know how to address these arguments effectively, using California’s legal standard that workplace conditions need only be a substantial contributing cause, not the sole cause, of the cardiac event.

Timing is crucial in workplace heart attack cases. Our attorneys ensure proper notification of the employer and filing of claims within required deadlines. We also help clients document all symptoms and medical treatment, including any warning signs or related health issues that occurred at work before the cardiac event.

Additionally, heart attack cases often involve complex medical testimony and expert opinions. Our attorneys have established relationships with qualified medical experts who can effectively communicate how workplace stress contributes to cardiac conditions. This expert testimony is crucial for establishing the work-related nature of the heart attack and securing appropriate compensation.

Workers’ Comp Attorneys Help Get Compensation for Heart Attack

Anyone suffering a heart attack is faced with staggering medical bills and the loss of wages necessitated by their treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. Under the worst circumstances, their heart attack may result in death, leaving their family without their companionship and financial support.

If the heart attack can be attributed even in part to job-related stress or the like, the worker or her/his family should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If you have suffered a heart attack in the workplace, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys have the knowledge and skill that you need to meet the challenges ahead of you, and to help you obtain the benefits to which you are entitled.

Workers Compensation Attorneys | California

If you were injured or made ill in the workplace, we recommend that you speak with an experienced workers comp lawyer immediately. Even if you are currently receiving workers comp benefits, it is a good idea to get some legal advice to protect your rights going into the future.

An experienced workers compensation lawyer can help you identify minor issues before they become major problems – and make sure that you not only receive your benefits now, but for years to come.

Your consultation with our workers’ comp lawyers is 100% confidential, and neither your employer nor your insurance company will be notified that you requested a consultation with us. Our lawyers will help you understand your rights and work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the maximum workers’ comp benefits for which you qualify.

California Workers Compensation Attorneys: 800-964-8047