If you’ve been injured on the job, you might wonder why you need a workers’ compensation lawyer. You might be worried about how you’ll pay for their legal services. Here are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a workers’ compensation attorney.
A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Explain California Law
Your workers’ compensation lawyer can answer your questions about the workers’ compensation system and let you know if you have a valid claim.
In California, all employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Even if they have only one employee, they must carry workers’ comp insurance.
Workers’ compensation benefits pay for medical treatment and wage replacement income if an employee has a work-related injury or illness that occurs within the scope and course of their work. Notably, California workers’ comp claims can arise out of:
- A one-time incident, such as slipping and falling at work or getting burned by a chemical at work
- Repeated exposures at work, such as lost hearing due to loud noises that happen continuously on the job
- Workplace illnesses that arise out of work, such as breathing in harmful chemicals that result in a respiratory illness
- Repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, which occur from using your body in the same way on the job, that ultimately result in injuries
Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Protect Your Rights
California’s workers’ comp system is supposed to be no-fault insurance, so even if you contributed to the accident, you should usually still be able to recover workers’ compensation benefits. However, employers and their workers’ compensation insurance providers may make the process of obtaining the benefits you are entitled to difficult, such as by:
- Denying your claim for invalid reasons, such as missing paperwork, alleged discrepancies in medical records, or erroneous claims that the injury is not work-related
- Disputing your injury by claiming it is not work-related, is due to a pre-existing condition, or alleging that it is not severe enough to warrant benefits
- Failing to communicate or follow up with you after you have filed your workers’ compensation claim
- Trying to force you to return to work before you have been medically cleared to do so
If you are confused about your legal rights or feel like your employer is pushing back against a valid claim, you need a workers’ compensation attorney today.
You Don’t Agree with Your Doctor
Injured workers may disagree with their treating doctor’s assessment of their work-related injuries. Under California workers’ comp laws, you may be able to seek a second or third opinion or take other action if you disagree with your doctor’s assessment, including in the following scenarios:
- You disagree with your diagnosis.
- You disagree with the doctor’s treatment plan.
- You disagree with your doctor’s opinion regarding your ability to return to work.
- You disagree with your doctor’s assessment of whether you are permanently disabled or your impairment percentage.
- You disagree that you will not need medical care in the future.
- You disagree with information in the doctor’s medical report, such as the work you can or can’t do while recovering, changes you need in your work schedule or assignments, or other information about work restrictions.
- Your doctor’s request for medical treatment is denied.
Workers’ compensation insurance companies are supposed to treat those injured at work fairly, but many injured employees find that they don’t. Our legal team can fight to ensure you are treated fairly and in compliance with California law.
A Workers’ Comp Lawyer Can Protect You from Retaliation
California workers’ compensation law protects workers’ rights to file legal claims if they are injured on the job, including their right to be free from retaliation. Some injured workers are concerned that their employer will fire them if they fight for their rights. By having legal support during this legal process, you can ensure you have an advocate on your side if your employer violates the law by reducing your hours, demoting you, or terminating you after reporting workplace injuries.
Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Look Out for Your Long-Term Interests
Some workplace injuries are life-altering injuries. They may render you disabled or require you to change your job or line of work. Experienced legal counsel can help by:
- Fighting to make sure your immediate medical expenses are paid by your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier, including for emergency treatment and medical diagnostic tests
- Accounting for ongoing medical care you may need, including physical rehabilitation
- Determining all of the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to, such as permanent disability benefits, temporary disability benefits, job displacement benefits, and vocational retraining
We want to help you recover a fair payment so your future needs are accounted for.
Workers’ Comp Attorneys Can Negotiate for a Fair Settlement
Insurance adjusters want to resolve workers’ compensation claims for as little money as possible. An experienced attorney can represent you during settlement negotiations, protecting your legal interests. At Belal Hamideh, we can review any settlement offer you receive and explain whether it represents fair compensation for what you’ve endured.
You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File a Workers’ Comp Claim
After a workplace injury, you have a limited amount of time to file your claim. Delaying legal action can jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim and ability to recover benefits. By contacting our accident & injury attorneys early, you can protect your legal rights.
An Experienced Attorney Can Handle All Aspects of Your Workers’ Comp Claim
Workers’ compensation claims can be complex cases. An experienced lawyer can help with the claim process by:
- Explaining your rights and legal options based on the specifics involved in your case, including whether you may be able to make a third-party claim against a party other than your employer
- Gathering evidence to support your case, such as witness statements, medical records, and workplace documentation
- Requesting a medical evaluation with a qualified medical examiner (QME) if you need supplemental medical support for your case
- Appealing any denied claims
Learn more about how we can help when you call for your free consultation.
You Don’t Have to Pay Unless You Win
If you’re concerned about attorney fees, you don’t need to be. Most workers’ comp lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you’re not responsible for paying legal fees unless your lawyer wins or settles your case. You also don’t have to come up with funds upfront, allowing you to focus on your recovery and your current financial needs.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review
If you were injured at work, you deserve to receive the benefits you are entitled to by law. Having a lawyer who understands the complexities of the workers’ compensation system is crucial.
Belal Hamideh has represented injured workers in Long Beach, CA for years. Our law office can guide you through the legal process and fight for the benefits you deserve. Contact us today to take advantage of a free consultation.