When a Workplace Emergency Becomes a Long-Term Battle: What One Nurse’s Case Reveals About Workers’ Compensation Failures

Home » Blog » When a Workplace Emergency Becomes a Long-Term Battle: What One Nurse’s Case Reveals About Workers’ Compensation Failures

By Greg Bentley

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Workers' Compensation

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Last Modified on Apr 13, 2026

A recent report by NBC Los Angeles highlights a devastating case that underscores a troubling reality: even when liability is established, injured workers often face an uphill battle to receive the care they urgently need.

 Read the full article here:

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/city-of-hope-upland-work-comp-nurse-cardiac-arrest/3873408/

Watch the Story

A Catastrophic Event at Work

In May 2020, a nurse working at City of Hope in Upland, California, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while on the job. According to reports, more than seven minutes passed before CPR was administered—critical time that resulted in severe brain injury.

Today, she lives with quadriplegia and requires around-the-clock care.

The Legal Fight for Recognition

Despite the severity of her injuries, her journey through the workers’ compensation system was far from straightforward.

It took years of litigation before a California appellate court ultimately ruled that her cardiac event was work-related, finding that job stress contributed significantly to the incident. That decision should have marked a turning point.

But for many injured workers, it is only the beginning.

The Reality After “Winning” a Workers’ Comp Case

Even after securing a favorable ruling, the nurse and her family continue to face delays in accessing essential care, including:

• Necessary medical equipment
• Ongoing therapy
• Home modifications for accessibility

Requests for care are frequently delayed, denied, or subjected to administrative hurdles by third-party claims administrators.

This highlights a critical truth: a legal victory does not guarantee timely medical treatment.

A System That Often Fails the Most Vulnerable

For catastrophically injured workers, the workers’ compensation system can become a second battle—one fought not in the courtroom, but through paperwork, delays, and denials.

Families are often forced to:

• Advocate relentlessly for basic care
• Navigate complex bureaucratic processes
• Shoulder emotional and financial strain

This case exposes systemic gaps that can leave even the most severely injured individuals struggling to receive the support they are legally entitled to.

Why Experienced Legal Representation Matters

At Bentley & More LLP, we understand that catastrophic workplace injuries demand more than just a claim—they require aggressive advocacy from day one through resolution and beyond.

Our team has extensive experience handling complex workers’ compensation and catastrophic injury cases, including situations where:

• Benefits are delayed or denied
• Third-party liability may exist
• Long-term care needs must be secured

We fight not only to win cases—but to ensure our clients receive the care, dignity, and financial security they deserve.

If You or a Loved One Is Struggling With a Workers’ Comp Claim

You do not have to navigate this system alone.

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious workplace injury and is facing delays or denials in care, contact Bentley & More LLP today for a consultation.

We are here to stand between you and the system—and fight for what you are owed.

About the author: Greg Bentley

Co-Founder & Trial Lawyer at Bentley & More LLP

Greg Bentley is Co-Founder of Bentley & More LLP in Newport Beach, California. With 36 years of experience, he represents plaintiffs in personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, insurance bad faith, dangerous road and property conditions, and construction-site failure cases. Admitted to the State Bar of California, Greg earned his J.D. from Western State University College of Law in 1990. He is a member of several invitation-only trial organizations, including the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and is active in multiple statewide and regional trial lawyer associations.

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