A California state appeals court has ruled that illegal immigrants hurt on the job are entitled to workers' compensation benefits, upholding the state's policy of granting workplace rights to undocumented employees. Experts said the unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel was the first time an appeals court in California had specifically upheld the right of illegal immigrants to receive medical care and disability benefits for on-the-job injuries.
See "Court Backs Immigrants' Labor Rights", Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times, October 18, 2005