Workers’ Compensation
An on-the-job injury can have a serious impact on all aspects of your life. Medical bills and time off-work are expensive, not just financially, but they also cost you peace of mind. Come visit our office to have your case evaluated by experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Van Nuys.Â
Having a good attorney by your side is crucial so you don’t miss out on any important information for you and the family you need to support.
Nearly every job carries some level of injury risk. It can be due to a job that:
- is at risk for accidents like construction work
- is a work environment that exposes you to hazardous substances or chemicals
- requires repetitive motion such as assembly line or office work and can lead to repetitive stress injuries
INJURED ON THE JOB IN CALIFORNIA? HERE’S WHAT TO DO
If you have been injured on the job in southern California, there are certain steps you need to take to ensure the best possible outcome of your claim.
First, tell your supervisor that you have a work-related injury or illness. Your supervisor needs to be notified of the incident right away. File a formal report with your employer. Get medical treatment right away. Document everything regarding your case. This includes emails, reports, receipts, and doctor’s referrals. Anything you think might relevant. Find the best workers’ compensation attorneys with a solid reputation and exceptional experience to handle your case, like a Van Nuys workers’ compensation lawyer to handle your case. Don’t try to handle your workers’ comp case on your own.
There are a couple of important deadlines for filing a workers’ comp claim in California which your Van Nuys workers’ compensation lawyer can guide you about:
- 1 day – An injury at work must be reported to a supervisor or HR within 1 day of the date it occurred.
- 1 year – A person filing a workers’ compensation claim has 1 year from the date of the incident to do so.
California workers’ comp laws recognize two different types of work-related injuries. Each of these has different timeframes:
- Specific injury – Caused by a single incident or exposure that results in the person requiring medical attention or they are disabled.
- Cumulative trauma injury – Caused by repetitive traumatic activities that build up over time and can be physical or mental trauma. This type of injury may not have a clear date of injury, or it may be difficult to determine.
There are four basic benefits that injured workers in California can claim through a workers’ compensation lawyer:
- Medical Treatment – Workers’ compensation automatically covers medical treatment for work-related injuries. The only exception is if the claim is denied outright. Otherwise, it is a standard benefit for all California workers’ comp claims.
- Temporary Disability Benefits – If temporary disability benefits are approved, the claimant will receive two-thirds of their gross salary until their doctor releases them and they are medically cleared to return to work. Temporary disability benefit payments last for two years, beginning on the date the incident occurred.
- Permanent Disability Benefits – One of the primary criteria for receiving this benefit is a doctor’s analysis assigning a percentage of permanent loss of the person’s work potential due to a work-related injury. The compensation is based on that percentage of disability.
- Rehabilitation – This benefit can be attached to a disability benefit. The disabled worker gets a voucher that correlates to their disability level. This allows them to enter a program that trains them in new skills to make them employable at their current disability level.
We cannot take all the cases presented to us. Below are some reasons why we may unable to help.
- The person failed to seek medical treatment
- There is insufficient medical evidence to show the nature and severity of the injury or illness as well as the likelihood that it occurred on the job
- Missed medical appointments
- Waiting too long to report the incident
- The employer disputes the claim
- The injury did not occur during work
- The claimant was doing activities that were not work-related
- The claimant was negligent
- The claimant did not adhere to the property safety protocols
EXPERIENCE WHERE IT COUNTS: YOUR WORKERS’ COMP CLAIM IS IN GOOD HANDS
The workers’ comp attorneys in Van Nuys at our accredited law firm, Hussain & Gutierrez, are ready to go to work for you. With more than three decades of courtroom experience, we will make sure that you get the personal care and attention that you deserve.
Walk-ins are welcome and the initial consultation is free. From the moment you walk through our door, you will see our dedication and commitment to serving our clients to ensure the best possible outcome.
We will make sure you understand every step of the process. We will return your phone calls promptly and answer your questions honestly and thoroughly.
An Intro Note From
Hussain & Gutierrez
Have a question? Ask the best workers’ comp lawyers in Van Nuys
Workers’ compensation insurance covers the medical bills, lost wages and all other expenses related to the injury.
Either your employer or the insurance company is responsible for paying for workers’ compensation benefits.
No, workers compensation benefits are not subject to income tax in California.
No, the time used for appointments and hospital visits is not considered as lost time.
Medical benefits are available immediately to the workers who get injured on the job.
