California Workplace Accidents Happen

Workplace accidents negatively effect the lives of thousands of California workers annually.  Dealing with the injury, pain, and loss of income can greatly impact the victim and his or her family’s well being. Common injuries in the workplace are carpal tunnel syndrome, broken bones and fractures, head and neck injuries, sprains, burns, strained muscles and tendons,  and back injury. Contact The Law Firm of Rivers J. Morrell III immediately should you encounter an accident at the workplace.  You’ll need professional assistance from a California workplace accident attorney familiar with California Workers Compensation law and the fortitude to fight the insurance companies in obtaining your due compensation.

Your California Workers Compensation Rights and Benefits

There are several areas of disability addressed in the State of California.  If you are temporarily disabled and unable to work within three days of the injury, you are entitled to receive temporary disability benefits to compensate for wages lost resulting from the injury.  This can include out-of-pocket expense, such as mileage to and from medical and pharmacy visits, parking costs,  legal depositions, medication, and other related expenses. You may be eligible for a Lump Sum Payment or permanent disability award.

California Permanent Disability

Sometimes workers are permanently disabled and unable to return to work.  These types of disabilities ranges from toxic or chemical exposure, orthopedic injuries, severed limbs, psychiatric injuries, to heart attacks.  In cases where the worker has suffered permanent impairment or disability to the body, the injured worker is entitled to receive permanent disability benefits.  in some cases, more severe injuries lead to life pension entitlements, where the worker received compensation in the form of weekly payments for the lifetime of the wounded worker.  These payments can be in addition to any permanent disability payments and could be in the form of a lump sum payment. An example of this is “compromise and release”, where the injured worker receives a lump sum payment, approved by a judge, and is then responsible for paying for future medical care.

Common Obstacles to Workers Compensation

Workplace injuries are sometimes difficult to prove and in many cases, the injured worker is faced with many obstacles to prove his or her case.  Completing the necessary documentation process properly is one of the first hurdles.  We’ll assist you through the entire process.  Often the biggest stumbling block is the insurance companies and/or employer. Too often, a bad faith insurance company resists payment and do their best to sabotage the case, limiting compensation or refusing to pay out workers compensation.  On many occasion, the employer is concerned their insurance payments will increase so the employer co-operates with the insurance company.

What Californians should do when injured at the workplace

• Report and Document - Accidents at the workplace need to be reported and documented immediately and accurately. Report all injuries, the sooner the better as there are time limits. Collect detailed witness statements as soon as possible so the incident details aren’t altered.Include the day, time, and circumstances of the accident. Stronger evidence makes for a better case and will improve the likelihood your compensation will be obtained in full.  Be sure to report to your employer immediately.

• Seek immediate medical attention – Be sure the physician documents the evaluation and get a copy of the medical record.

• Report the incident to the local health department –   Our firm will assist you with the forms necessary to complete your claim.

• Seek and experienced California personal injury attorney experienced in California Workers Compensation Law. Insurance companies do their best to avoid paying benefits and deny legitimate claims regularly. An experienced attorney will work with you to ensure you receive full benefits, including holding insurance companies accountable for bad faith denial of benefits and medical treatment compensation by pursuing penalties and interest payments.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or disability on the job, you may be entitled to certain benefits under California Workers’ Compensation Laws. A good California Workplace Injury attorney may make the difference in receiving full compensation for your suffering.  Contact our Law Office for a free consultation.