Suppose you’ve been injured on the job in Los Angeles and are facing difficulties securing the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. In that case, our experienced Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys at Koszdin, Fields & Sherry can help. Since 1955, our firm has been serving injured workers throughout Southern California from our 2 offices conveniently located in the United States.
Accidents can occur unexpectedly, especially at work, where you spend a significant portion of your week. The good news is you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits and take time off to recuperate from workplace injuries. Unfortunately, some employers and insurance companies deny these benefits or undercut them. This can be a problematic situation for injured victims who will not be able to receive adequate medical care. Besides slowing down recovery, denial of workers’ comp benefits creates financial hardship for many disabled workers in Los Angeles and their families.
Los Angeles Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Fight for Your Rights
Our firm has successfully represented hundreds of injured workers throughout Los Angeles, securing compensation and medical benefits for them. If you’ve suffered an injury at work, promptly hiring a Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney is crucial. Securing legal representation greatly enhances your chances of successfully navigating your claim.
At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry, we are experienced in litigating workers’ compensation cases throughout Los Angeles and nearby cities. Our workers’ compensation attorney in Los Angeles specializes in assisting individuals whose work-related injuries have impacted their ability to work. With dedicated expertise in this field, we ensure that you and your loved ones receive the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
SOURCE: Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, 2022 Oregon
Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Summary (September 2021)
California Workers’ Compensation Laws
California laws are designed to ensure that every worker injured or disabled in a workplace injury receives monetary compensation to alleviate the financial burdens imposed on them by this pain and suffering. Following a workplace injury, the victim must hire an experienced attorney to help them navigate the complex filing process for the compensation they deserve.
Some of the most common types of benefits covered by California’s workers’ compensation laws include:
- Medical care – This includes hospital bills, doctor visits, tests, medical equipment, X-rays, or any other possible treatment.
- Temporary disability – Some victims may qualify for temporary disability, which means they must take some time off work but no more than 104 weeks. During that time, you will receive temporary benefits.
- Permanent disability – Some people may need more time to recover due to their long-term physical or mental condition. Depending on the severity of their disability, they may qualify for permanent disability benefits.
The Most Common Work Injuries in the Los Angeles, CA
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded around 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses throughout the United States in the latest year for which data is available. While not all of these injuries were severe, many resulted in employees missing time from work.
In some cases, work injuries are severe. At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry, we possess a wealth of expertise in assisting clients who have suffered from the following injuries:
- Severe sprains and strains
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Open head wounds
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Respiratory illnesses
- Occupational cancers
- Hearing and vision loss
- Emotional and psychological trauma
Our team supports workers in this region who are experiencing a range of repetitive stress injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and various hand and wrist injuries. These injuries typically occur over time in the workplace due to sub-optimal working conditions and inadequate equipment. Many workers in our area can also sustain repetitive motion injuries to their neck, back, knee, and hips.
Our Los Angeles workers’ comp lawyers regularly help clients who have sustained heart and vascular injuries due to the nature of their occupation, as well as chronic lung conditions and disabilities that arise due to exposure to hazardous working conditions. Many of these injuries are more complicated to prove because they develop over extended periods. While they may be more challenging to prove, that does not mean that they are any less severe. Repetitive stress injuries and chronic health conditions can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform their work duties.
Workers’ Comp in Los Angeles For Your Injury
Here’s a summary of compensation for workplace accidents in California:
Medical Bills Covered: All medical care related to the injury, including doctor visits, therapy, surgery, and medication.
Income Replacement: Temporary disability payments if you can’t work while recovering.
Long-Term Support: Permanent disability benefits for lasting limitations from the injury.
Job Retraining: Help with retraining for a new job if your injury prevents you from doing your old one.
Benefits for Dependents: Financial support for those who rely on your income if the accident is fatal.
Cost of Workers’ Compensation Attorney
At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry, we understand that the victims of work injuries may not be in the best financial situation. Along with regular weekly and monthly expenses, injury victims may have incoming medical bills and additional injury-related costs. Affording a lawyer in these situations may seem impossible. That’s why our workers’ compensation attorneys handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement means our clients do not have to pay any upfront or out-of-pocket expenses for their cases. We only charge legal fees after successfully obtaining the compensation our clients require.
Time Limits for Filing a Los Angeles Workers’ Comp Claim
Generally, a worker who sustains an injury should report the incident to their employer as soon as possible. You have 30 days to notify your employer of a workplace injury. Failure to do so could result in you being unable to receive benefits. Notifying your employer is not the same thing as actually filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you are injured at work, you have one year from the date the injury occurred to file a claim.
Suppose a third party is responsible for your workplace injury. In that case, you might have the option to initiate a personal injury lawsuit against the party at fault to obtain compensation beyond what workers’ compensation benefits provide. The time limit to file a lawsuit against a negligent third party is two years from when the injury occurred.
What should a Worker Do After a Workplace Accident in Los Angeles?
Taking specific steps in the immediate aftermath of a workplace accident can dramatically improve your chances of recovering workers’ compensation benefits. These steps include:
Reporting the Incident
Unless it’s an emergency or you are incapacitated, report any workplace accident to your supervisor or the highest-ranking team member available immediately after the incident. You need to establish that you made an official report of your accident immediately after it occurred.
Depending on where you were injured, security cameras monitoring the area might have caught footage of your accident. Ask your supervisor or the property owner if this is the case. If it is, request that the footage not be deleted. You may want a witness who can confirm that you made this request in case your supervisor or a property owner later claims you did not make such a request.
Identifying Witnesses
Determine which of your coworkers might have witnessed your accident and make a list of their names. You should also identify witnesses who might not be coworkers, such as customers, and get their names and contact information.
Documenting the Scene of the Accident
Take pictures of the conditions at the scene of the accident. Although you do not need to show that your accident resulted from anyone’s negligence to recover workers’ compensation benefits in California, you may nevertheless want to document the conditions of the accident scene in case doing so provides you with any evidence that your accident occurred because someone else was careless. It might be possible to recover additional compensation beyond what a workers’ compensation insurance company will provide by filing a third-party claim or lawsuit against a negligent party responsible for causing your injuries.
Seeing a Doctor
Avoid delaying medical treatment after experiencing a workplace accident. You must see a doctor immediately, even if you do not believe you have been injured.
There are various reasons you might not realize that you’ve been harmed after an accident. For example, the symptoms of injuries like concussions sometimes don’t manifest until hours or even days after an accident occurs. Additionally, when you are involved in an accident, you may experience a surge of adrenaline, which will prevent you from noticing symptoms like pain.
Your injuries will only worsen if you do not receive treatment right away. You need to see a doctor to confirm that no immediate care is necessary.
You must also understand the role that seeing a doctor can play in your Los Angeles workers’ compensation case. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier might try to avoid paying you by suggesting that you haven’t shown a link between your injuries and your workplace accident if you failed to see a doctor that day. On the other hand, if you did seek medical care right after your accident, you can easily show that the incident in question caused your injuries.
Contact a Los Angeles Workers’ Compensation Law Firm
The suggestion that your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier may attempt to deny your claim should not surprise you. Insurance companies are businesses. The insurance company’s goal is to avoid paying you whenever possible.
If an insurer cannot deny your claim, they will still attempt to settle for as little money as possible. Thus, you need representation from a qualified Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney who can reject low offers and document your compensable losses to show why you deserve to recover more compensation.
FAQS: Workers’ Compensation Cases
1) Can you sue if you accept workers’ compensation in California?
No, accepting workers’ compensation in California generally means you forfeit the right to sue your employer for injuries related to the workplace incident.
2) How do I settle a workers’ comp claim in California?
To resolve a workers’ compensation claim in California, you’ll negotiate with your employer’s insurance for a lump sum or structured payments. Legal representation is essential to protect rights and secure the best settlement. Consider consulting a workers’ compensation lawyer in Los Angeles at Koszdin, Fields & Sherry for expert assistance.
3) How much do workers’ compensation lawyers charge in California?
California workers’ compensation lawyers typically work on a contingency basis, charging 10% to 15% of your settlement or award. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board regulates the fee.
4) What are my rights under workers’ compensation in California?
Under California workers’ compensation, you have the right to medical treatment, disability benefits, return to work support, and, if necessary, vocational rehabilitation. You also have the right to appeal any decision the insurance company or employer makes regarding your claim.
5) Can My Company Fire Me For Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
No, it is illegal in California for an employer to terminate an employee for submitting a workers’ compensation claim. State labor laws protect employees from retaliation for seeking compensation for work-related injuries or illnesses. If you suspect you’ve been retaliated against, our team at Koszdin, Fields & Sherry can assist you in comprehending your rights and investigating possible legal remedies.
6) Do You Get Full Pay if You’re Injured at Work?
No, workers’ compensation in California does not provide full pay if you’re injured at work. Instead, you typically receive about two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a maximum limit.
Free Consultation With Los Angeles Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When injured at work, getting medical help immediately and documenting your injuries is essential since some symptoms may only appear later. Contact our legal team today for a free attorney consultation to guide you through the workers’ compensation claim process. We’ll help you meet critical deadlines and file the necessary paperwork to secure the compensation you need for medical expenses and lost wages. Call us at 323-375-5642 to get started.
Client Review: 5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
