September 3, 2012—Orange County, CA—Labor Day is a time when many people relax and enjoy a long weekend, but many people in our current economy may not have jobs to return to on Tuesday. This makes the suggestion that anyone is taking advantage of government- or insurance-assisted benefits such as disability even more disappointing, but apparently a new look at the Orange County police by the Orange County Register shows that this may be the case. Employment disability filings are extremely high for some departments.

Public safety workers are given special retirement benefits because of the dangerous nature of their jobs. However, recent examinations of numbers in several Orange County cities show that many police or firefighters who have been unsuited for the job for reasons other than physical disability have been pensioned off early with the help of funds earmarked for disability payments.

The Other Side Of the Argument: Police and Firefighters in High-Stress Jobs
However, many spokespeople for the police and firefighters claim that the jobs are so stressful and hazardous that these employees deserve every possible consideration and benefit. The tax breaks afforded by disability pensions help to compensate these brave men and women for their sacrifices in the line of duty, according to advocates.

City-by-City Look at Disability Numbers

The Orange County Register examined the numbers of employees who have claimed disability pensions from each city and found:

The Register analyzed disability retirements for police officers and firefighters across the county and found:

• Irvine has the highest disability retirement rate for a large city, with 60 of 99 retiring officers claiming disability.
• Anaheim, with a crime rate much higher than Irvine’s, had only 15 percent of its officers retiring with disability pensions. Anaheim has the lowest disability rating in the county with only 2 percent of officers receiving disability pensions.
• Buena Park officers retired with disability at a rate of 62 percent.
• In La Habra, nine of 19 officers, or 47 percent, sought disability payments.
• The Orange County Sheriff’s Department had a nine percent disability retirement rate.
• Fire departments had a smaller ratio of disabled workers than most police departments.

What Does This Mean For Me If I Am Injured or Disabled On the Job?

The closer scrutiny to which police and fire departments are being subjected will likely carry over into the private sector, as well. If you suffer a

job-related injury that may require you to file for disability, it would be wise for you to consult a professional employment attorney to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive compensation for your injuries.

A man was severely injured on the job after he fell about 30 feet from a building in Newport Beach that was under construction. The Orange County Register reports that the building is the site of Newport Beach's future city hall on Avocado Avenue. The injured construction worker was taken to an area hospital. The circumstances of this accident are not known at this time. An investigation is ongoing.

I sympathize with this injured construction worker and his family. I sincerely hope that he recovers quickly and completely from his injuries.

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A construction site accident in San Francisco left four men injured on the job. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the injury accident happened at an apartment building site in the 2200 block of Third Street. Officials say the workers, who are employed with Nibbi Brothers General Contractors, were pouring concrete when the roof collapsed over a stairwell. Among those who were seriously injured were Justin Castro, 22 and Mauricio Hernandez, 29. Officials with the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health are investigating this incident.

I hope none of the workers suffered catastrophic injuries in this incident. I wish all the injured workers the very best for a quick and full recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

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A worker suffered fatal injuries on the job after he was electrocuted while working on the roof of a home in Ventura County. The Ventura County Star reports that the fatal on-the-job accident happened in the 2500 block of Paseo Noche in Camarillo the afternoon of August 11, 2011. The man was working on the chimney when he accidentally touched overhead electric wires with a piece of metal. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to everyone who knew and loved this victim. Please keep them in your prayers.

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A long-time Caltrans employee, who was critically injured in a car accident in Riverside caused by a suspected drunk driver, has been identified as 52-year-old Barry Steele. The Press-Enterprise reports that the major injury collision happened the night of July 20, 2011 on Highway 91 at Van Buren Boulevard when 21-year-old Brandi Holmes drove her Mazda right through a blocked off construction zone and struck Steele. The worker suffered a broken neck, leg and other severe traumatic injuries. Holmes attempted to walk away from the scene, but was held by other workers until authorities arrived. She was booked on suspicion of DUI.

My thoughts and prayers are with Barry Steele and his family. Steele is the fourth Caltrans worker to be injured on-the-job in Southern California over the last three months. These incidents continue to happen despite aggressive public campaigns that urge motorists to drive slowly and carefully in construction zones. I pray for Steele's swift and full recovery.

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A Los Angeles area car accident resulted in injuries for four members of a local police department the night of November 29, 2010. The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports that the car accident involved an unmarked police vehicle and a pickup truck and happened at the intersection of Ocean and Long Beach boulevards in the city of Long Beach. Officials say that the pickup truck turned left in front of the police vehicle. Four police officers were injured, but are expected to survive. Read More

A car accident in Los Angeles the evening of November 14, 2010, resulted in injuries for an elderly man who was driving a 1932 Model A Ford at the time. The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports that the injury car accident involving the antique car and a pizza delivery car occurred in the city of Downey at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Downey Avenue. Both vehicles were attempting left turns. The Ford was broadsided by the pizza delivery car. The driver of the Ford, a man in his 80s, sustained head injuries, but he is expected to survive. An investigation is ongoing. Read More

A car accident in San Bernardino the evening of September 18, 2010 has proved fatal for 53-year-old Americo Aucaruri. The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports that the accident occurred on the westbound 10 Freeway when Aucaruri's Jeep Cherokee was rear-ended by another vehicle. The impact of the collision caused the Jeep to overturn. Aucaruri sustained fatal injuries while three other passengers were hospitalized with injuries. An investigation is ongoing. Read More

A printing press worker was hospitalized with serious personal injuries after his arm got stuck in a machine while on-the-job. Firefighters who responded to the call had to use hydraulic equipment to free the worker's arm from the machine, which apparently took 53 minutes, according to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News. The worker's identity and age were not released, but he was said to have been working at Apperson Print Resources in Cerritos, California, the night of October 21, 2009 when this accident occurred.
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A member of the San Diego Chargers' game-day staff who suffered fatal personal injuries at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 has been identified as 66-year-old Walt Daniels. According to an Associated Press news report, Daniels fell 25 to 30 feet from the coaches' box on to the cement surface right before a game. He sustained major head injuries. He was taken to a local hospital where he died early morning on October 20.
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