Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Getting injured at work can create significant financial and personal stress. Instead of focusing on recovery, you may have to worry about medical expenses, missed wages, and how you will support yourself and your family while you are unable to work.

Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to provide financial and medical support to employees who suffer qualifying work-related injuries or illnesses. However, filing a claim and receiving benefits is not always a straightforward process. If your claim is delayed, denied, or disputed, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and legal options.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation, commonly called workers’ comp, is a system that provides benefits to employees who suffer qualifying injuries or illnesses related to their employment. In California, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even if they have only one employee.

Workers’ compensation is designed to provide benefits without requiring an employee to prove that their employer was negligent. Depending on the circumstances, benefits may include medical treatment, temporary disability payments, permanent disability benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.

Workers’ compensation generally serves two important purposes:

Protecting Employees: Injured employees may receive medical care and wage-replacement benefits for qualifying workplace injuries.
Protecting Employers: Workers’ compensation generally limits when an employee can bring a civil lawsuit against an employer for a workplace injury, subject to certain exceptions.

If you are unsure whether your injury qualifies for workers’ compensation, an employment lawyer can help you understand your options and determine whether additional legal assistance may be appropriate.

What workplace injuries are covered by workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation can cover a wide range of injuries and illnesses connected to employment. Whether a particular injury qualifies depends on the circumstances surrounding the injury and applicable California workers’ compensation laws.

Common examples can include:

Accidental Injuries: Falls, slips, machinery accidents, vehicle accidents, and other injuries that occur while performing work-related duties.
Occupational Injuries: Illnesses or conditions that develop because of workplace exposure, such as exposure to certain hazardous materials.
Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions: A workplace activity may aggravate or worsen an existing injury or medical condition.
Repetitive Stress Injuries: Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other injuries that develop gradually from repetitive work activities.

Work-related injuries do not always happen because of one sudden accident. Some conditions can develop over time as a result of repetitive tasks, workplace conditions, or ongoing exposure.

If you have suffered an injury or illness that you believe is connected to your job, an experienced Los Angeles employment attorney can help you understand the workers’ compensation process and what benefits may be available.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation benefits vary depending on the nature and severity of the injury. Potential benefits may include:

Medical Benefits: Coverage for reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to a qualifying workplace injury.
Temporary Disability Benefits: Partial wage replacement when an employee is unable to work while recovering from a work-related injury.
Permanent Disability Benefits: Benefits may be available when a workplace injury results in permanent limitations or impairment.
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits: Certain employees who cannot return to their previous job may qualify for assistance with retraining or skill development.
Death Benefits: Surviving dependents may be entitled to benefits when an employee dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness.

After suffering a workplace injury, it is important to take the appropriate steps as soon as possible. Delays or incomplete information can create complications when filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Consider the following steps:

Report Your Injury: Notify your supervisor or employer about the injury as soon as possible. Provide accurate information about what happened and when the injury occurred.
Seek Medical Treatment: Get appropriate medical attention and tell the medical provider that your injury is work-related. Follow the treatment recommendations you receive.
Document Your Injury: Keep records of your injury, medical appointments, communications with your employer, and other relevant information related to your claim.
Review Documents Carefully: Do not sign documents or accept a settlement without first understanding what you are agreeing to. If you have questions about paperwork from your employer or its insurance carrier, consider consulting a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Follow the Claims Process: Stay informed about your claim and respond to requests for information or documentation within the required timeframes.

If your workers’ compensation claim is denied or disputed, an experienced Los Angeles employment attorney can help you understand the claims and appeals process.

When to Contact a Work Injury Lawyer

Some workers’ compensation claims may proceed without legal assistance. However, speaking with an attorney can be especially helpful when your claim involves a dispute or other complication.

You may want to consult a Los Angeles employment lawyer if:

Your workers’ compensation claim has been denied or delayed.
The insurance company disputes whether your injury is work-related.
You are not receiving the benefits you believe you should receive.
Your injury has resulted in permanent limitations.
Your employer discourages you from reporting your injury.
You experience retaliation after reporting a workplace injury.
You are asked to sign a settlement or other legal document that you do not understand.

Contact Shegerian Conniff Today

At Shegerian Conniff, we are here to help you with your workplace injury. As your Los Angeles employment attorney, we will ensure your claim is tended to and given the best possible chance for approval. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, so reach out today for a free consultation and to evaluate your options.