Workers Compensation Attorney Los Angeles
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been doing your job for years or you’ve just started. If you are injured in a work-related accident, you are entitled to workers’ compensation coverage. Depending on the severity of your injuries, it may be too painful to think of anything else.
More often than not, workers in the Los Angeles area don’t realize the benefits they can claim for these injuries they’ve incurred on the job. Other times, these claims are needlessly denied. This is why it’s essential to speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure your claim is taken seriously and that you get the treatment you need.
Contact Pisegna & Zimmerman today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney and get the support you need.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation, or workers’ comp, protects employees in the event of an injury or illness incurred at the workplace. Unlike an elective healthcare plan, workers’ comp is granted to every employee from the first date they begin employment until their last date of employment.
With these protections, you are guaranteed to receive medical care and lost wages if your injuries happen while performing the duties of your job. Depending on the nature of your injuries and treatment requirements, you may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation. If your spouse or a parent died in a workplace accident, these benefits would go to the closest family members.
While many employers make good on their commitments with workers’ compensation, there are some that may interfere with the process. When this happens, it’s important to have a skilled workers’ compensation attorney in Los Angeles, CA, representing you for your workplace accident.
Common Causes of Workplace Accidents
In a Los Angeles workers’ compensation case, work related injuries can occur in any industry. By far, the most common industry for catastrophic injuries is the construction industry. Construction workers often suffer from scaffolding falls, getting caught in between things, accidents with power tools, electrocutions, and getting struck by construction vehicles. They are also more likely to be exposed to asbestos which can have serious consequences.
In a factory, the dangers of heavy equipment can result in severe injuries too. There are also many slip and fall accidents, and repetitive motion injuries. Industrial accidents can involve explosions, chemical burns, fires, and toxic exposures.
For all industries, driving a company vehicle can result in a collision, which would fall under a workers’ compensation claim. Even in an office setting, slip and fall accidents can arise. Toxic exposure due to harmful substances in the building, or carpal tunnel from repetitive tasks such as typing all fall under the category of workers’ comp.
If you have been injured on the job, speak to the Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyers at Pisegna & Zimmerman to schedule a free initial consultation about your case.
What Should I Do If I Was Injured on the Job?
Injured workers must seek immediate medical treatment for serious injuries. If you suffered workplace injuries that don’t require urgent medical care, you should make sure to get treated within 30 days.
Additionally, you need to let your employer know of the workplace injury, ideally in writing. It also helps to speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer. The workers’ compensation lawyers at Pisegna & Zimmerman in Los Angeles will work tirelessly to ensure you get your workers’ compensation benefits, and all medical and financial benefits that you deserve.
What to Do If Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied
Often, an injured worker will be able to file their claim under California’s workers’ compensation laws and get coverage without an issue. However, we’ve seen many injured clients that come to us because their claim gets denied.
Workers’ compensation cases become more complex when there is a denial issued on workers’ comp benefits. This is why hiring a Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyer is a smart move to help you navigate the complicated workers’ compensation laws.
With the Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys at Pisegna & Zimmerman, you will have all the help you need filing with the workers’ compensation appeals board. Let our dedicated team help you get the maximum compensation for your personal injury at work.
Why Injured Workers Need Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Southern California
California’s workers’ compensation laws are designed to get you medical care and recover lost wages if you are injured on the job. This system was intended to be simple to use, automatically giving you workers’ compensation benefits if you qualify.
Sometimes, this system doesn’t work as well as it should due to the employer’s insurance company and unscrupulous employers that want to shirk responsibility. When an insurance company or an employer makes it difficult to get the benefits you are entitled to under California workers’ compensation laws, you will want a strong legal team to help you navigate this tricky portion of the legal system.
If you experience trouble with your workers’ compensation claim for any of the following reasons, you will want to get workers’ compensation attorneys working for you.
Your Employer Refuses to Pay
Employment law in California requires your employer to pay workers’ compensation if you are hurt at work while performing your job duties. This means they are responsible for paying for your medical treatment, lost wages while you are unable to work, reimbursing you for permanent disability caused by a work injury, job retraining benefits if you can’t perform your previous job duties, and mileage reimbursement for attending medical treatments.
It does not matter if you were at fault for this injury. If you were hurt at work, workers’ compensation covers you. The most common reason an employer or the insurance claims from the company themselves are denied is because they dispute that you were hurt at work. Working with Pisegna & Zimmerman, you will have Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyers to fight for your rights.
Your Employer Won’t Report Your Injury
When an employee is injured at work, workers’ compensation law states how an employer must handle things. This means reporting it to their insurance. By California law, they are required to report your injury and give you a workers’ compensation claim form to fill out.
If your employer refuses to fill out this form, you must contact the workers’ compensation attorneys at Pisegna & Zimmerman. Our law firm is ready to seek justice on your behalf to recover compensation for your injuries.
You Didn’t Receive Your Disability Benefits
Your employer may have provided the coverage for your medical treatment following your injury. If they refuse to pay disability benefits to cover your loss of income, you will want legal help. When an injury at work renders you unable to work the hours you once worked or puts you in permanent disability, you are entitled to receive benefits. Don’t delay getting the legal assistance you need to get what you deserve in a timely manner.
They Fired You After Your Injury
If you were terminated by your employer because of your injury or for requesting the workers’ comp benefits guaranteed to you by California law, this is unfair treatment. It’s also an abuse of power. We represent clients that have been unfairly fired after a work-related injury, and we have a high success rate of recovering proper compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation!
You’re Not Getting All the Benefits You Should Be Getting
Most people do not understand the worker’s compensation system, which means they are missing out on money they should be receiving for a work injury. If you’re injured on the job, you should receive payments for medical bills and medical expenses like physical therapy or surgery. You should get disability payments that equal two-thirds of your average weekly pay or for permanent disability, they will be based on the severity of your injury.
This is just the tip of the iceberg too. With the state bar certified Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys at Pisegna & Zimmerman, you can have full peace of mind that we will stop at nothing to prevent your employer and their insurance from taking advantage of you.
No Alternatives from Your Employer After Being Permitted to Work Again
Once the doctor that has been treating you for your workers’ compensation injury tells you that you can get back to work but you can no longer work in your previous job, your employer needs to provide you with a position. If they can’t do this in a way that meets your restrictions, you may be able to gain additional benefits.
These are usually referred to as supplemental job displacement benefits. They provide some training so you can do something else to support yourself and your family. Benefits like these need to be proven by your doctor’s authorization that you have a permanent work restriction caused by your workplace illness or injury. The doctor will also need to detail the work restrictions of what you can no longer do.
Additionally, your employer either has not or cannot offer you modified work or an alternative that fits these restrictions. For example, if you once held a job where you were lifting heavy items in a warehouse and you suffered a back or neck injury, you would no longer be able to do this type of task as part of your job.
When you are injured at work, it helps to speak to a back and neck injury attorney in Los Angeles, especially one with experience in workers’ comp and Social Security Disability. This will ensure you get either the retraining voucher to learn a new line of work or get the financial assistance you need as you look toward your future.
How Can Los Angeles Workers Compensation Attorneys Help?
A Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyer can assist injured workers by providing dedicated legal support and representation, enabling them to recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to.
- Workers’ comp attorneys can help ensure injured workers receive fair compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.
- They can gather evidence, handle paperwork, and negotiate with insurance companies.
- They advocate for their clients’ rights in case of denied claims or disputes.
- Lawyers can guide and represent clients through the appeals process if necessary.
- Their expertise can increase the likelihood of a successful workers’ compensation claim and better outcomes for injured workers.
Compensation for Workplace Accidents in California
Compensation for workplace accidents in California aims to support injured workers and their families during challenging times. Workers injured in construction accidents, industrial accidents or other workplace accidents may be eligible for workers’ compensation. The compensation may include:
- Workers’ compensation benefits in California include coverage for medical expenses related to workplace injury.
- Injured employees can receive temporary disability benefits to replace a portion of lost wages during recovery.
- Permanent disability benefits are available for long-term or permanent impairments.
- Vocational rehabilitation may be provided to assist in returning to work.
- Death benefits can be extended to dependents if a worker is killed in a workplace accident.
When Should You Seek a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
You should seek a workers’ compensation lawyer in Los Angeles when:
- You suffer an injury or illness (such as Asbestos exposure related lung disease) during the course of your employment.
- Your workers’ compensation claims are denied, delayed, or disputed by the insurance company.
- You face retaliation or discrimination from your employer for filing a claim.
- Your injury prevents you from returning to work or results in permanent disability.
- You believe you are not receiving fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, or rehabilitation.
Protecting Your Rights After Workplace Injuries
California workers’ compensation laws are meant to protect Los Angeles employees from being treated unfairly after workplace injuries. This coverage is supposed to be guaranteed to help you get the medical assistance you need for your personal injury while also safeguarding your wages while you heal.
You don’t need the added stress of going back and forth with your employer or their insurance. If they are making this more difficult on you, work with the Los Angeles law firm that is committed to upholding workers’ compensation laws.
Pisegna & Zimmerman’s experienced legal team will provide personalized legal services to those who are injured on the job to get the justice they deserve through a proper settlement offer. Whether your employer does not have the required workers’ comp coverage they should or they’re refusing to cover your injuries, we will determine your eligibility and compensation to get you what you need. Get valuable legal advice during a free initial consultation today.