ODG Law Firm, a workers' compensation practice serving California, has issued a statement calling for stronger workplace safety measures following the release of the California Department of Industrial Relations' latest report on nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses.
The DIR report, released January 22, 2026, documented more than 750 work injuries across California in 2024, including over 400 governmental worker injuries and 340 private sector cases. The comprehensive study analyzed nearly a thousand industries ranging from grocery stores and construction to real estate and insurance sectors.
According to Table 11 of the study, which tracks incidence rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses by industry sector from 2022 to 2024, injury rates increased in several key sectors. Transportation and warehousing, utilities, wholesale trade, and real estate and rental and leasing all experienced higher injury rates compared to the previous year.
The findings come at a time when workplace safety enforcement faces significant challenges. A recent CalMatters investigation revealed that nearly a third of Cal/OSHA positions remained vacant last year, leading the agency to skip in-person inspections even when workers sustained injuries. The investigation found that out of more than 12,000 OSHA complaints filed last year, the agency deemed 87 percent valid but conducted in-person inspections at only 17 percent of those workplaces. Additionally, of 5,800 workplace accidents reported, the agency considered only 42 percent serious enough to warrant sending an inspector.
"These studies prove what we have unfortunately already known: workers do not receive the protections they deserve," said Maria Salazar, Managing Partner at ODG law firm. "In a better world, we wouldn't have to help workers after they've been injured. We call for greater protections for workers, for them to receive everything they should. As a work injury lawyer, we're proud to be able to stand with workers during these challenging times."
The DIR report's findings highlight ongoing concerns about workplace safety across diverse industries. The study examined employer-reported nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses by industry and case type, providing detailed estimates of case circumstances and worker characteristics for incidents resulting in days away from work. Industries studied included vegetable and melon farming, foundries, gasoline stations, and insurance companies, demonstrating the widespread nature of workplace safety challenges.
For workers who have experienced workplace injuries, understanding their rights remains crucial. A work injury lawyer can help navigate the complex workers' compensation system and ensure injured employees receive appropriate benefits and medical care. This becomes particularly important when a driver injured at a job faces unique challenges related to their specific work circumstances.
ODG Law Group has dedicated its practice since 2011 to promoting and protecting the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of injured workers and their families. The firm provides comprehensive legal services for workers who have been injured on the job, including representation in workers' compensation claims, negotiations with insurance companies, and advocacy at workers' compensation hearings. The firm specializes in various injury cases including traumatic brain injuries, orthopedic injuries, psychiatric injuries, and slip and fall accidents.
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For more information about ODG Law Firm, contact the company here:
ODG Law Firm
Maria Salazar
support@odglawgroup.com
330 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 1250
Glendale, CA, 91203