If you were struck by a falling tree limb while cleaning up storm damage at a Calabasas golf course, you can pursue California workers’ compensation benefits for your medical care and lost wages. It does not matter that a storm weakened the tree or that no one intended for the limb to fall. As long as the injury happened while you were performing your job duties, workers’ comp generally applies.
Why Is Storm Cleanup So Dangerous for Groundskeepers?
Golf courses in Calabasas are lined with mature oaks, eucalyptus, sycamores, and pines. After heavy wind or rain, these trees can be left with cracked, split, or partially detached limbs. Groundskeepers are often sent out quickly to clear fairways and cart paths, which exposes them to hazards such as:
- “Hanging” limbs caught in the canopy that can drop without warning
- Branches under tension that spring back when cut
- Saturated soil that causes weakened trees to shift or topple
- Chainsaw work on unstable debris piles
- Little or no training on assessing storm-damaged trees
Cal/OSHA requires employers to address workplace hazards, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train employees on safe tree work practices.
What Injuries Can a Falling Limb Cause?
Large limbs can weigh hundreds of pounds, and even smaller branches can cause serious injuries when falling from height:
- Head injuries and concussions
- Spinal injuries and herniated discs
- Broken arms, ribs, shoulders, or collarbones
- Crush injuries to the legs or feet
- Eye injuries from debris
Does a Storm Make It Harder to Get Workers’ Comp?
No. Workers’ compensation does not require anyone to be at fault, including your employer. An insurance adjuster may suggest that a storm-related injury was an unavoidable accident, but that has no bearing on your eligibility. What matters is that you were injured while doing work your employer assigned. Seasonal, part-time, and temporary groundskeepers are generally covered as well.
What Should You Do to Protect Your Claim?
The steps you take after the injury help create a clear record:
- Get medical treatment right away and explain that the injury happened at work.
- Report the injury in writing to your supervisor or course superintendent.
- Request a DWC-1 claim form, which your employer must give you within one working day.
- Take photos of the tree, the limb, and the area where you were injured.
- Note what you were instructed to do, including whether you were given safety gear or training.
What Benefits Are Available to Injured Groundskeepers?
Through a California workers’ compensation claim, you may be entitled to:
- Medical care, including surgery, therapy, and follow-up treatment
- Temporary disability payments, generally about two-thirds of your average weekly wages
- Permanent disability benefits if your injuries cause lasting limitations
- A supplemental job displacement voucher if you cannot return to grounds maintenance work
While your claim is under review, your employer must authorize up to $10,000 in medical treatment.
How Can a Workers’ Comp Attorney Help?
Insurance carriers may delay treatment, dispute the extent of your injuries, or push you back to work before you are ready. An experienced attorney can handle communication with the insurer, gather medical evidence, and challenge unfair decisions. Our attorneys have represented injured workers in Southern California for decades.
Speak With PLBH About Your Calabasas Golf Course Injury
You should not have to carry the financial burden of an injury that happened while keeping a course safe for others. PLBH is ready to help you secure the benefits you are owed. Call (800) 435-7542 or reach out online today for a free, confidential consultation.