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Workers’ compensation plays an important role in compensating those who suffered an injury on the job. Workers’ compensation is designed to balance the rights of both sides – the injured employee and the employer – and to streamline the process.
It can, however, be challenging to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. If you suffered a work-related injury, an experienced Van Nuys workers’ compensation attorney at Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers can help. Contact our Van Nuys injury attorneys to connect with a legal professional who can guide you the workers’ comp claims process efficiently.
Typical Work-Related Injuries
The kinds of injuries employees sustain at work vary considerably, but the following are some of the most common:
- Eye injuries
- Repetitive use injuries in the wrist, elbow, or shoulder
- Burns
- Soft-tissue injuries, such as back, shoulder, and arm strains
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Deep cuts and contusions
- Spinal cord injuries
Any one of these can lead to serious losses, including mounting medical bills and decreased earnings.
How Do Accidents at Work Happen?
Accidents on the job have a wide range of causes, but they generally boil down to specific risk factors. While some jobs are far more dangerous than others, even employees who spend eight hours a day behind a desk are susceptible to slip and fall risk factors and more.
Some of the primary risk factors faced by employees of all kinds include the following:
- Tripping hazards in the workplace, such as overly slick flooring, exposed cords, etc.
- Falling objects in the workplace, which can happen in an office, store, restaurant, warehouse, or construction site
- Accidents on the road, when travel and work intersect
- Malfunctioning equipment, such as being caught in a machine or being electrocuted by one
There are also the four deadliest accident categories faced by those in construction fields, which are called the fatal four:
- Slip and fall accidents – especially from heights such as scaffolding, ladders, or upper levels
- Struck-by accidents in which construction workers are either hit by something that falls from an upper level or by something that they come into contact with on the same level
- Caught-in-between accidents, in which construction workers become trapped in something or are caught in between two unyielding forces
- Accidents involving electricity
Look to a reliable workers’ compensation lawyer at our Van Nuys law firm for the skilled legal guidance you need.
Benefits the Workers’ Compensation System Provides
Workers’ compensation insurance is intended to balance the rights of – and the benefits afforded to – both employers and employees. Employees can expect an expedited claims process in relation to personal injury claims and can generally count on their losses being addressed. Although this is not at the same level they would be in personal injury claims.
Employers, on the other hand, don’t have to worry about their businesses being stalled or stopped while they fight personal injury lawsuits.
The specific benefits for those injured on the job include the following:
- You are entitled to a specific percentage of your current earnings.
- You are entitled to coverage for those medical expenses that are deemed reasonable.
- If you suffered a permanent disability, you are entitled to supplemental job displacement benefits in relation to vocational skills training.
Permanent disability benefits are based on workers’ compensation disability ratings.
What to Do After an Injury on the Job in Van Nuys, CA
If you have suffered an injury at work, your claim will be unique to your experience, but it’s important to act quickly. Taking these following steps:
- Get checked out by a medical professional even if you don’t think your injuries are that serious. Injuries can become more pronounced with time, and the earlier they are diagnosed, the better the prognosis generally is.
- Let your employer, boss, or supervisor know that you suffered an injury on the job as soon as you can.
- Reach out for the legal guidance of a skilled workers’ compensation attorney near you at your earliest opportunity.
- Follow the medical plan provided to you by your doctor carefully.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Appeal
While workers’ compensation is intended to protect employees who suffered an injury at work, the insurance companies that provide this coverage keep their focus on high profits. This means that if they can keep minimize your settlement – or deny your claim altogether – they will.
If your claim has been denied, you have the right to appeal the decision, but the process is demanding, and the timeframe that applies is brief. At Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers, we can ask for your claim to be reconsidered and present important evidence about your accident and your injuries that can increase the likelihood of your claim succeeding.
Protect Your Rights as an Employee by Contacting Us Today
At Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers, our Van Nuys workers’ compensation lawyers recognize how difficult being injured on the job can be and fight for the rights of all our clients. What we do is all to support your most complete recovery. Our legal team takes great pride in the help we provide those injured at work. For more information about what we can also do for you, please contact us online or call us at 888-970-5729 today.
Workers’ Compensation Claim FAQs
Do I need to prove that my employer was negligent?
No, workers’ compensation takes negligence out of the process. If you suffered an injury on the job, you are almost certainly covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
Will I need to pay my attorney up-front?
Most reputable workers’ compensation attorneys are paid a prearranged percentage – but only after the claim has been successfully settled or has received a court award.
How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim?
In California, you have only 30 days to notify your employer that you suffered an injury on the job and only a year from the date of your injury to file your workers’ compensation claim. The best course of action is always to file your claim sooner rather than later.