California’s hospitals rely on frontline caregivers—nurses and other hospital staff—who face nonstop exposure to infectious diseases, dangerous chemicals, physical strain, emotional trauma, and even workplace violence. Yet, unlike firefighters or police, these predominantly female professionals lack automatic workers’ comp protections for the illnesses and injuries their jobs frequently cause. SB 632 aims to change that—and it’s long overdue.
What Senate Bill 632 Does
SB 632 creates a rebuttable presumption for hospital employees who provide direct patient care in acute-care settings—ruling that certain conditions automatically count as work-related for workers’ compensation purposes, unless proven otherwise:
- Infectious diseases (COVID-19, TB, MRSA, etc.)
- Cancer from exposure to carcinogens or hazardous drugs
- Musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., back and joint damage)
- Post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Respiratory illnesses like asthma and COVID-19
It also extends eligibility for months or even years after termination, depending on the condition, ensuring long-term care for delayed-onset issues.
✅ Why It’s Essential
1. Aligns with First-Responder Standards
Law enforcement and firefighters—who are mostly men—already enjoy these presumption protections. SB 632 bridges a glaring gap by extending the same to hospital staff, a female-majority profession who face similar occupational hazards. Read more about it here.
2. Addresses Gender Inequality
Nearly 90% of registered nurses are women. Granting them equitable workers’ comp rights helps close economic and social gaps—especially given California women earn just 89 cents for every dollar men earn. legiscan.com
3. Improves Timely Care & Retention
By removing administrative hurdles in filing claims, SB 632 speeds access to treatment and financial support. In the current healthcare staffing crisis, supporting staff recovery helps keep experienced caregivers on the job.
4. Acknowledges Real-Life Risks
Data shows nurses face significantly higher rates of illness, injury, and trauma than average workers—including musculoskeletal injury, PTSD, workplace violence, and exposure to infectious disease. SB 632 validates these real-world risks. nationalnursesunited.org
Voices from the Front Lines
Sandy Reding, RN and president of the California Nurses Association, praised SB 632’s passage in the Senate:
“Our workers’ compensation system should be set up to let us heal instead of wasting our time fighting for the medical and financial support we need.” nationalnursesunited.org
Senator Arreguín emphasized the need for equity:
“California has strong workers compensation rights for many of our brave first responders, yet nurses who have put their lives on the line do not receive the same benefits.” Quote
Next Steps & Call to Action
SB 632 recently passed the California Senate (22–10 on June 4) and is now under consideration in the Assembly’s Insurance Committee.
What you can do:
- Contact your Assemblymember—ask them to support SB 632 in the Insurance Committee.
- Share this post with colleagues and hospital staff to build momentum.
- Encourage your union or professional association to publicly endorse SB 632.
SB632 Summary
SB 632 empowers California’s caregivers—those who devote their lives to healing others—by ensuring they receive timely, fair protections for the injuries and illnesses they face on the front lines. It’s not just about compensation; it’s about justice, respect, and valuing health care heroes.
Contact Us If You Have a Workers’ Compensation Matter
If you work in a hospital or other high-risk setting and are facing an injury or illness, don’t wait to find out your rights. Whether SB 632 becomes law or not, you may already be entitled to compensation—and delays can cost you money, medical care, and peace of mind.
At Employees First Labor Law, we know how to navigate California’s workers’ compensation system—and we’re not afraid to take on employers or insurers who try to deny rightful claims. We’ve helped frontline workers recover compensation for:
- Infectious diseases caught on the job
- Back injuries and joint damage from patient care
- PTSD from workplace violence or trauma
- Cancers from chemical or radiation exposure
Workers’ compensation is complicated. We make it simple.
Reach out today for a free and confidential consultation. You protect others. Now let us protect you.
