California Division of Workers’ Compensation Announced Spanish-language Seminar On Workers’ Compensation Benefits And Laws

Oakland, CA  (CompNewsNetwork) - The California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) will conduct a free Spanish-language seminar on workers' compensation in Reedley on Jan. 30 to help injured workers understand their rights and assist them in resolving individual workers' compensation issues.

Fresno is the second largest metropolitan area in California's Central Valley, and has a near 40 percent Hispanic and Latino population according to the 2000 census.

“Every employee in California has the right to medical treatment if they get hurt on the job and language should not be a barrier to those rights," said DWC Administrative Director Carrie Nevans. "We are making a special effort to ensure Spanish speaking workers in Fresno and the surrounding area know where to get assistance."

At the seminar employees will receive information on medical treatment, disability payments, returning to work after an injury and resolving a disagreement over a claim. They will also be able to get assistance, in Spanish, with their individual cases. The workshop will take place in Reedley on:

Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008
6-7 p.m.
Reedley Community Center
Redwood Room
100 N. East Ave.
Reedley, CA

The program consists of a short presentation and a question and answer session, and is conducted by the DWC Information and Assistance Unit. The Information and Assistance Unit plays a major role in resolving disagreements over workers' compensation benefits and is the state's main information source for nonrepresented injured workers.

The DWC conducts English-language seminars for injured workers on a monthly basis at each of its 24 local offices. A listing of workshop days, times and locations in English and Spanish can be found on DWC's Web site at www.dir.ca.gov/dwc . Click on the link that says, "Injured on the job? Need to know your rights?" Injured workers can also call 1-800-736-7401 to find the workshop near them and hear other recorded information. To go directly to workshop locations in English, callers should press 7, then 7 again, then 1 after dialing the 800 number. Spanish-speaking workers may call 1-800-736-7401 and press 2 for details.

The division also provides free program posters in English and Spanish to community based organizations, employers, medical providers and others. Call 510.286.7076 for more information.

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