At some time or another, almost everyone has done “temp work” or worked for a “temp” agency. It’s a good way to pay the bills in a pinch, and temp jobs can frequently lead to permanent jobs and careers. The down side is that temp work can also lead to a higher risk for workplace injuries, and California reportedly ranks high on the list of states with the most temporary worker injuries. Employees who take temp work in California have a 50 percent higher risk of getting hurt at work than those who have permanent jobs. Only two states (Oregon and Minnesota) reported a higher percentage of injuries. One reason for the higher risk is that many temp jobs are in dangerous industries like manufacturing. The lack of training at temp jobs is a second reason for so many injuries.
In addition to the pain and injury that results from on-the-job mishaps, the liability issue must be addressed. Is the temp agency liable, or does legal responsibility fall to the company where the worker has been assigned? California law makes the temp agency responsible in most cases, but that doesn’t prevent disputation; sometimes a dispute can actually delay a worker’s medical treatment.
If you are a temp worker or considering temp work, you should know your legal rights and responsibilities. (Temp agencies and the companies that use them should know those rights and responsibilities too.) If you’re injured on the job in California, get advice right away from an experienced California workers’ compensation attorney. A good workers’ comp lawyer will safeguard your rights and guide you through the complicated claims process for workers’ compensation benefits. Injuries on the job can happen to anyone; if you’re injured at work, be sure that you have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney working hard for you.