Work Injuries
- Whiplash (muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries)
Those injured on the job have legal protections that could help them and their families. For example, the workers’ compensation system could ensure that they can keep paying their bills and putting food on the table when they cannot work. However, injured employees mustfirst successfully file their claims.
A detailed process must be strictly followed when seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Otherwise, people may risk losing the payment they deserve. It is always wise to seek the assistance of an Orange County workers’ compensation attorney from Cabral Law Group to protect your rights to full benefits.
The good thing about the workers’ compensation system is that it does not ask who was at fault for the accident. We see plenty of injured workers who come to us asking if their own mistakes could keep them from receiving benefits. It does not. Even if you were careless, you
could still qualify for workers’ compensation.
At the same time, however, you cannot sue your employer if they were at fault for the injury. California law wants all workers to be covered, and the system is meant to encourage your company to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. The tradeoff is that your employer cannot be held legally responsible for your injury in most circumstances.
Workplace injuries are often far too common throughout the United States and California. Nonfatal workplace occupational injuries and illnesses are just under 500,000 each year. In California, the fatality rate usually averages three in every 100,000 workers. If you are one of these injured workers, you need legal support and should contact our Orange County Workers Compensation Lawyers Today.
At the same time, however, you cannot sue your employer if they were at fault for the injury. California law wants all workers to be covered, and the system is meant to encourage your company to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. The tradeoff is that your employer cannot be held legally responsible for your injury in most circumstances.
Workplace injuries are often far too common throughout the United States and California. Nonfatal workplace occupational injuries and illnesses are just under 500,000 each year. In California, the fatality rate usually averages three in every 100,000 workers. If you are one of these injured workers, you need legal support and should contact our Orange County Workers Compensation Lawyers Today.
Workers can be injured in several ways on the job. It takes one split second for a life to be altered. Some employers take steps to protect their employees from injuries, but what the employer does or does not do generally makes no difference in workers’ compensation. When you are injured on the job, you have a right to benefits.
Here are some of the most common injuries and illnesses that Orange County workers’ compensation claimants experience on the job:
While many work injuries happen due to accidents, there are other ways to qualify for benefits. Injuries could also mean conditions you develop over time or illnesses you contract from your work environment. These could include:
These types of injuries may require some additional proof, since there was no single accident that could connect the injury to your job. Nonetheless, these are considered workplace injuries for applying for benefits.
Here are some of the most common injuries and illnesses that Orange County workers’ compensation claimants experience on the job:
- Muscle and back strains
- Fall injuries
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crashes and vehicle accidents
- Fires and explosion
- Crush injuries
While many work injuries happen due to accidents, there are other ways to qualify for benefits. Injuries could also mean conditions you develop over time or illnesses you contract from your work environment. These could include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Inhaling toxic fumes
- Exposure to loud noises
- Being sickened with a virus
These types of injuries may require some additional proof, since there was no single accident that could connect the injury to your job. Nonetheless, these are considered workplace injuries for applying for benefits.
California has strict requirements that you must follow to be eligible for benefits. The process is critical, and not following it could cost you the benefits you need.
The first requirement is notifying your employer of the injury. The law requires that you do this within 30 days of the date of the injury. You should notify your employer of the injury in writing. The second requirement is that you file a claim for benefits within one year of the injury. There is a California claims form that you should use to file for benefits.
You should also see a doctor to get medical care as soon as possible. This may not be your physician, since the insurance company controls your medical care after you have reported a workplace injury. They can direct you to see one of their doctors, and you will need to visit who they tell you. This will continue so long as you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits. If you are not on the same page about your medical treatment, you have a legal right to another opinion.
The first requirement is notifying your employer of the injury. The law requires that you do this within 30 days of the date of the injury. You should notify your employer of the injury in writing. The second requirement is that you file a claim for benefits within one year of the injury. There is a California claims form that you should use to file for benefits.
You should also see a doctor to get medical care as soon as possible. This may not be your physician, since the insurance company controls your medical care after you have reported a workplace injury. They can direct you to see one of their doctors, and you will need to visit who they tell you. This will continue so long as you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits. If you are not on the same page about your medical treatment, you have a legal right to another opinion.
Every California employer is legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This means that there will be an insurance
company involved with your claim. These companies are not known for being claimant-friendly, and instead, they try to find every excuse they can to reject or reduce your claim. Be sure to avoid these common mistakes when filing your claim.
The insurance company will receive and review your workers’ compensation claim. According to California law, they have 90 days to review your application and respond, and the insurance company is obligated to give you a decision about your benefits within this timeframe. In addition, they must give you an explanation of their decision if they deny your claim.
company involved with your claim. These companies are not known for being claimant-friendly, and instead, they try to find every excuse they can to reject or reduce your claim. Be sure to avoid these common mistakes when filing your claim.
The insurance company will receive and review your workers’ compensation claim. According to California law, they have 90 days to review your application and respond, and the insurance company is obligated to give you a decision about your benefits within this timeframe. In addition, they must give you an explanation of their decision if they deny your claim.
The main legal requirement for workers’ compensation benefits is that you have suffered a workplace or work-related injury. The insurance company will look for the following:
The insurance company may deny the claim for reasons related to the above factors. They will quickly reply to your claim in the best-case scenario, approving it and letting you know your benefits.
- Medical documentation that establishes that you have suffered an injury
- Whether you followed the process for applying for benefits
- That you reported your injury in time
- Whether your injury was work-related
- If you had any illegal substances in your system at the time of the accident
- Whether the medical records match the accident report
The insurance company may deny the claim for reasons related to the above factors. They will quickly reply to your claim in the best-case scenario, approving it and letting you know your benefits.
Injured workers in Orange County who have their workers’ compensation claim approved may receive the following:
Medical Care – Workers’ compensation must cover the costs of all necessary treatments to cure or relieve your injury. This includes surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and hospitalizations.
Temporary Disability Benefits: You are entitled to lost wages that you would have earned while working. In California, this works out to two-thirds of your average weekly wages.
Permanent Disability Benefits – You can also receive benefits when you cannot work again. There is a maximum rate of these benefits.
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits – If you cannot return to work within 60 days after losing temporary disability and your employer does not offer you alternative work, you can receive up to $6,000 for job training for a new position.
Death Benefits – Surviving spouses can receive a death benefit of up to $320,000 after a fatal work accident. Minor children can also receive a weekly death benefit until they are 18.
Medical Care – Workers’ compensation must cover the costs of all necessary treatments to cure or relieve your injury. This includes surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and hospitalizations.
Temporary Disability Benefits: You are entitled to lost wages that you would have earned while working. In California, this works out to two-thirds of your average weekly wages.
Permanent Disability Benefits – You can also receive benefits when you cannot work again. There is a maximum rate of these benefits.
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits – If you cannot return to work within 60 days after losing temporary disability and your employer does not offer you alternative work, you can receive up to $6,000 for job training for a new position.
Death Benefits – Surviving spouses can receive a death benefit of up to $320,000 after a fatal work accident. Minor children can also receive a weekly death benefit until they are 18.
For medical benefits, you do not have to worry about the amount. The law is that all of your medical needs related to the injury are covered.
For disability benefits, the calculation is based on your average weekly wage, which is your gross pay before taxes and deductions. There may be some complexities in this calculation, including:
For disability benefits, the calculation is based on your average weekly wage, which is your gross pay before taxes and deductions. There may be some complexities in this calculation, including:
- You are paid based on your annual earnings. This factors in your usual workweek.
- If you have more than one job, you can be paid for all of your sources of income and not just the job at which you were hurt.
- The insurance company may decide that you could still work part-time. Then, they would only pay you for the wages that you missed by not being able to work.
An insurance company can entirely reject your claim. Since they are the ones paying the benefits, they will go over your claim with a fine-tooth comb looking for ways that they can save money. These companies are well-known for making things difficult for employees. Our Orange County workers’ compensation lawyers can help with rejected, delayed, and denied claims.
The insurance company could reject your claim for the following reasons,among others:
The insurance company could reject your claim for the following reasons,among others:
- The claim was not filed within the necessary timeframe.
- You did not notify your employer by the deadline.
- The injury was not work-related.
- You were not injured.
- You did not cooperate with the insurance company
The insurance company does not get the final say when it rejects your claim, as you have the right to appeal the denial. However, it would help if you acted quickly because the law gives you a tight deadline.
If you do not already have an Orange County workers’ compensation lawyer, this would be the time to hire one. Filing a strong appeal on your first attempt will give you a stronger record throughout the process. In addition, a persuasive appeal could quickly end the stress that you are feeling from not having money coming in while you are injured. The good news is that many cases that initially resulted in denial will eventually be paid. Up to half of the people who ultimately receive benefits originally had their claim denied.
While California offers a way for denied claimants to file a challenge, that is often not the best thing to do. Sometimes, the insurance company denies a claim because of a misunderstanding or a missing piece of documentation. All they need is a reason to deny your application in good faith, and they will do it.
Your attorney’s first letter or phone call after the denial should be to the insurance company directly. Then, they could enter into settlement discussions with the insurer or do what is necessary to correct a paperwork error. Many denials are resolved through discussions with the insurance company or a settlement agreement. Some claimants will not even need to go to the state or have a hearing.
If you do not already have an Orange County workers’ compensation lawyer, this would be the time to hire one. Filing a strong appeal on your first attempt will give you a stronger record throughout the process. In addition, a persuasive appeal could quickly end the stress that you are feeling from not having money coming in while you are injured. The good news is that many cases that initially resulted in denial will eventually be paid. Up to half of the people who ultimately receive benefits originally had their claim denied.
While California offers a way for denied claimants to file a challenge, that is often not the best thing to do. Sometimes, the insurance company denies a claim because of a misunderstanding or a missing piece of documentation. All they need is a reason to deny your application in good faith, and they will do it.
Your attorney’s first letter or phone call after the denial should be to the insurance company directly. Then, they could enter into settlement discussions with the insurer or do what is necessary to correct a paperwork error. Many denials are resolved through discussions with the insurance company or a settlement agreement. Some claimants will not even need to go to the state or have a hearing.
If you cannot resolve your claim with the insurance company, there are multiple steps to the appeal process:
The appeals process is where you get your say if the insurance company does not listen to you. It is critical to present your case clearly and carefully. Our work accident attorneys are experienced advocates who know the state system well and could effectively represent you in an appeal.
- The first step is filing an appeal with the Worker’s Comp Appeals Board; an administrative judge would hear your disagreement with your denial of benefits and decide whether the insurance company denied you in error. If you do not get the decision you are looking for from the judge, you could file a request for reconsideration or ask a seven-member WCAB panel to hear your case.
- You can file a writ of review with the state appellate court. They would review the file to see if the WCAB made a mistake. This is a review proceeding, and you cannot introduce any new evidence.
- Your last step in the appeals process is to the California Supreme Court, but they do not hear every case brought in front of them.
The appeals process is where you get your say if the insurance company does not listen to you. It is critical to present your case clearly and carefully. Our work accident attorneys are experienced advocates who know the state system well and could effectively represent you in an appeal.
There are many reasons why you need a lawyer during the workers’ compensation phase. An attorney can help you with the application paperwork to give you a better chance of having your claim approved at first.
You will need an attorney if your claim is denied. The state hearing boards have huge caseloads, and they do not have the time to listen closely to a claim that is not carefully presented in detail.
You may also have an issue with your compensation in terms of the amount or duration of your benefits. Claimants represented by a lawyer could make a better case for why they deserve higher benefits or a longer period.
Finally, you may have medical coverage issues while your benefits are running. While workers’ compensation is supposed to cover everything necessary for care and recovery from your injury, the insurance carrier could refuse to authorize specific coverage or treatments. Again, you need an attorney to appeal the denial.
You will need an attorney if your claim is denied. The state hearing boards have huge caseloads, and they do not have the time to listen closely to a claim that is not carefully presented in detail.
You may also have an issue with your compensation in terms of the amount or duration of your benefits. Claimants represented by a lawyer could make a better case for why they deserve higher benefits or a longer period.
Finally, you may have medical coverage issues while your benefits are running. While workers’ compensation is supposed to cover everything necessary for care and recovery from your injury, the insurance carrier could refuse to authorize specific coverage or treatments. Again, you need an attorney to appeal the denial.
The attorneys at the Cabral Law Group fight for the rights of injured clients. We are here to help hurt workers who are not getting a fair deal from the insurance company. We know your legal rights and are committed to fighting for them. Our lawyers will provide you with effective representation and the service you need to know that your concerns are being heard.
Contact us online or call us today at (949) 751-1198 to schedule your free initial consultation.
