While no one wants to deal with a workplace injury or accident, these always remain a possibility for people working under all sorts of conditions, whether these are considered conventionally safe or not. These harrowing situations are intimidating in a variety of ways, but workers don’t have to feel at risk with their employers. Navigating a California workers comp case is easier than it seems, particularly for the workers themselves. The process itself is not that complicated. A good, experienced lawyer should be able to deal with it easily, regardless of whether the case is against an insurance company or the employer itself. Let’s go over these two kinds of workers’ compensation cases and what each procedure will entail.
Self-Insured Employer
It is mandatory in the United States for employers to have some sort of workers’ compensation insurance. However, large companies, as well as government agencies, have the option to opt for self-insurance. When a company is self-insured, it means that they themselves choose to be liable for potential risks, health costs, and similar compensation, rather than to relegate liability to a third party. In these companies, the benefits provided by the employer, such as health or disability benefits, are funded by a specified pool of assets within the company. In contrast to traditional workers’ compensation insurance where the risk is transferred to the insurer, the employer ultimately retains the full financial risk of paying claims. This means that any workers’ compensation claim will be dealt with directly with the employer if needed.
Third-Party Insured Employers
Of course, the option to self-insure their employers is only viable for large companies with the appropriate assets or for government agents. Smaller companies must, in place, purchase an insurance policy that can cover obligations for work-related injuries to their employees. When organizations are insured, workers’ compensation cases are taken up against the insurance company rather than by the company itself. It’s worth noting that these two approaches are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In fact, a lot of large companies employ a mixed approach. For example, some companies might have the insurance company investigate the claims while paying for the settlement or compensation themselves. In either situation, the case will be handled with the insurer rather than with the company itself.
Bring Your California Workers Comp Case
Almost any workplace injury, whether it happened because of a superior, a coworker, a third party, or even one’s own actions, can be subject to a case of workers’ compensation. Don’t wait much longer to file a workers’ compensation case, for these are a time-sensitive matter. Are you unsure about whether or not you have a workers’ compensation case? Don’t worry, because California workers comp attorney Belal Hamideh will give you a free consultation to determine the viability of your case. If the process seems intimidating, it’s only because you are thinking about handling it on your own. That is why you need to seek out the necessary legal advice. In order to find it, reach out to Belal Hamideh by calling his firm at (562) 526-1224.