According to the National Health Expenditure (NHE) data released, the amount of money spent on healthcare in the United States in 2017 was $3.5 trillion dollars. This growing industry, unfortunately, gives medical entities and corporations a sense of false entitlement that they are allowed to treat their employees unfairly and with unlawful, illegal, and unethical workplace practices. As a healthcare professional, seek legal counsel immediately if your employer has taken advantage of, discriminated against, or mistreated you. Contact JML Law to speak with one of our professional Healthcare Law Attorneys who are experts at litigation and negotiating settlements. You can reach our offices in Long Beach by calling 818-610-8800 to request a free consultation.
Workplace Safety Laws
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the requirements and standards for all workplaces including healthcare facilities. These workplace safety requirements are implemented by employers in hospitals, hospice facilities, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare institutions. It is not uncommon for healthcare employers to try and require their employees to engage in what could be potentially hazardous situations for their health and safety. By law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Some legal entitlements employees have are:
- To be trained in a language you can understand
- To have properly maintained and functioning machines to work on
- Be provided and have access to safety gear
- Protection from harmful chemicals
- Have access to workplace injury and illness logs
- To be provided with copies of test results performed to determine hazards in the workplace
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an estimated 2.4 million jobs will be created between 2016 and 2026. As the healthcare industry grows, violations of healthcare workers’ rights are more apt to go unreported and/or become expected in the workplace.
Have you ever been asked to work 12-hour shifts or longer without breaks? Unpaid overtime? Made to work in or with hazardous or insufficiently maintained workspaces? The violation of your rights as a healthcare worker should never be allowed nor should it continue to go unchecked.
Damages Or Remedies
Employers open themselves up to civil lawsuits by violating the rights of their employees or retaliating against any employee for exercising his or her rights in reporting illegal or unethical practices in the workplace. Employers could be forced to pay punitive and compensatory fines or liquidated damages from the state of California, OSHA, and the EEOC. Possible remedies owed to the affected employee could include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Legal and attorney fees
- Back pay
- Out-of-pocket expenses
What Next
As a healthcare employee in Long Beach, if your employer has abused your rights, contact JML Law offices today at 818-610-8800 or visit our website at jmllaw.com to request a free consultation. Call our offices in Long Beach today for a risk-free consultation. Our firm, with over 40 years in practice, offers our clients ethical, professional, and expert legal representation on a contingency basis. If we are not successful in the pursuit of your claim, we are not compensated.
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Every case is unique and needs to be evaluated by our experienced lawyers. If you are fighting for your healthcare rights,