Looking for a workers’ comp lawyer in Long Beach? Here’s what you should know first
Find out what benefits you’re entitled to, what to do if your compensation claim gets denied and how can a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you in that situation.
Protect your rights —Make well-informed decisions.
A work accident (or any injury for that matter) can be confusing, painful, and emotionally draining. If you suffered an injury on the job, your energy should be directed towards gaining a fast and complete recovery. Therefore, if you suffer and job injury in California, and your request for compensation has been denied or settled for less than you think you deserve, we recommend you get professional help. A workers’ compensation lawyer uses all the experience gathered in cases similar to yours to help you achieve an overall fair settlement. Below, you’ll find more detailed information regarding what to do if you suffer a work injury in Long Beach. Get advice regarding the best practices and the current workers’ compensation law in California directly from a workplace injury lawyer.
What injuries or illnesses can I receive compensation for?
The state of California has one of the most comprehensive and constantly developing workers’ compensation laws in the US. Usually, most injuries that occur on the job are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. In that list, we can include accidents or illnesses that are caused by prolonged exposure to certain materials, equipment, or work activities.
The compensation law in California does not generally cover:
- Self-Inflicted Injuries
- Injuries caused by fighting or horseplay
- Injuries that occur under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Injuries that occur while violating company policies
- Stress, anxiety, or other psychiatric disorders
Can I receive compensation for psychiatric injuries?
The current California law allows compensation for a wide range of disabilities resulting from job-related stress. However, the California Labor Code sets certain expectations for compensation benefits related to the mental health and psychiatric conditions of the employee:
- The person in the cause should have a condition established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
- The worker must be able to show that their mental health condition worsened as a direct result of employment or that it was caused by job-related factors.
- The personal, good-faith actions of the employer did not contribute to the condition.
- The worker must have been employed by the company for at least four months prior to the compensation application.
We recommend you always try to report a work-related injury or illness as soon as it happens or become aware that it was caused by activity on the job. Any additional delays might be used as counter-arguments in your dispute with the insurance company and may lead to your claim being denied.
On the look for a workers’ comp lawyer in Long Beach? Fill out our 30-second questionnaire and get a free case evaluation.
Schedule a free consultation with a worker’s compensation lawyer and get professional representation with the personal attention you deserve.
What benefits can I receive if my worker’s compensation gets approved?
Under normal circumstances, if you suffered a job injury in California, reported it in the required time frame, and filled in the paperwork correctly, you should receive the benefits you’re legally entitled to. The type and amount of benefits you can receive are determined by a variety of factors such as the severity of your injury, your estimated recovery time, the number of dependants for your income, and more.
The main types of benefits injured workers can receive are the following:
- Medical bills coverage for the cure or treatment of your industrial injury or illness;
- Temporary disability compensation for the period of time where you are unable to work;
- Permanent disability benefits in case your health suffers will be permanently affected by the illness or injury you suffered;
- Supplemental job displacement benefits ensure training for a new field in case you cannot activate your former industry.
- Death benefits in case a person dies as a result of a workplace caused injury or illness.
What should I do if my workers’ compensation claim gets denied?
If you don’t want to take the risk of getting your claim denied for the second time, we recommend you seek a workplace accident lawyer that will provide professional representation.
If you filed the compensation claim on your own and it got denied, you can still try to regain the benefits you’re entitled to. Sometimes, even a small error in the paperwork can result in a denial of benefits. You have to keep in mind that your paperwork must be completed correctly and submitted by the legal 30-day deadline.
A work injury attorney will overview every aspect of your claim and ensure that it’s fault-proofed. In the process, your workplace accident lawyer will also help you collect any additional information that may be relevant to the case.
On the look for a workers’ comp lawyer in Long Beach? Fill out our 30-second questionnaire and get a free case evaluation.
Schedule a free consultation with a worker’s compensation lawyer and get professional representation with the personal attention you deserve.
Is it worth hiring a workplace accident lawyer?
The workers’ compensation process is designed to be as hassle-free as possible for the applicants. In most cases, you should be able to handle the case on your own. Nevertheless, there are cases where the process does not develop as smoothly as expected. The compensation laws are complex, and complications can show up at any stage in the process. In those cases, collaborating with an attorney is recommended in order to increase your chances of receiving fair treatment.
Here are the main benefits a professional workers’ compensation attorney can bring to your case:
Levels the playing field
Increases the number of settlement opportunities
Provides professional guidance
No upfront payments required
Most workers’ compensation law firms, like ourselves, work on a contingency fee basis. That means that you won’t have to pay any fees until your case is won and settled. Therefore, you’ll have a clear and well-documented perspective regarding the overall costs of your case. If you’re on the look for a workers’ comp lawyer in Long Beach or surrounding areas, we may be able to help you through.
Frequently Asked Questions
On the look for a workers’ comp lawyer in Long Beach? Fill out our 30-second questionnaire and get a free case evaluation.
Schedule a free consultation with a worker’s compensation lawyer and get professional representation with the personal attention you deserve.
