Worker’s compensation is one of the most important forms of financial protection for workers who get injured on the job. In some cases, it covers workers who cannot return to work right away, or suffer a temporary disability.
Contacting a Workers Comp Lawyer in Los Angeles: When It’s Beneficial
If you receive a work-related injury, it’s good to know that there are lawyers out there who specialize in helping employees get the benefits they need to move forward with their lives. If you or someone you know has been hurt on the job, it’s a good idea to contact a workers comp lawyer in Los Angeles to help you through the process.
7 Ways a Lawyer Can Help with Workers Comp Claims
While a lawyer can help you report your injury and properly file your claim, there are instances when their services also prove to be invaluable.
1. Your Employer is Illegally Uninsured
You may need an attorney if your employer does not have workers’ compensation, or is not legally insured.
This can get tricky, as you have several options. That’s why you’ll need to consult with a workers comp lawyer in Los Angeles. In this case, your lawyer may advise you to file a civil claim against the employer as well as go ahead and file a workers comp claim. You may also file for benefits with California’s Uninsured Employers’ Benefit Trust Fund, or UEBTF.
2. You Need Medical Benefits Immediately
In some cases, the claims administrator may have not authorized medical treatment immediately after you’ve filed a claim form with your employer. The administrator must approve medical treatment within a day after you submit the form, even if it is being reviewed.
You’re entitled, in California, to receive up to $10,000 for treatment costs while your claim is being assessed. A lawyer can help you when you need the money now, and cannot wait.
3. Your are Entitled to More than Just Worker’s Comp
In some instances, you may have been injured on the job, but by a third-party – someone who is not a co-worker and is, instead, an outside vendor or contractor. In this case, your attorney can advise you on filing a personal injury claim. This will usually allow you to receive a larger settlement.
For example, if you slipped and fell, it may be due to the negligence of a landlord. Or, you may have been hurt when driving on the job. In this case, you might file a claim against the other driver while also submitting a worker’s compensation claim. If you can prove the other driver was at fault, you can receive damages for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
California is one of 38 states in the U.S. that does not support a no-fault policy. So, if you’re hit by someone who is at fault, they’re liable for the damages.
You may also file a third-party claim if you’re injured on a construction site. Often, these worksites have workers who are contractors. Maybe a company supplied the site with substandard equipment or scaffolding. In this case, you’re entitled to file a third-party claim for the other party’s negligence, while on the job, or because of a product defect.
4. Your Employer Stalls or Refuses to Pay Benefits
Unfortunately, not every employer is honest and ethical, and some will try to get out of paying the workers comp benefits they owe. If this happens to you, you need an experienced workers comp lawyer in Los Angeles on your side. A lawyer can help you enforce your rights and make sure that you get everything you deserve.
5. You are Fired or Demoted after Filing a Claim
Sometimes an employer will fire an employee as punishment for claiming benefits under the law. Or, they may take another action, such as cutting an employee’s pay or demoting them. If this happens to you, you’ll need to contact a lawyer to help you fight back.
6. You are Badly Hurt in a Work Accident
You may also need to contact a workers comp lawyer in Los Angeles if you need to file for temporary disability or you’re diagnosed as being permanently disabled. A lawyer can help you follow the steps needed to obtain the money you need for your living needs, recovery, or ongoing care.
7. You Don’t Feel Up to Returning to Work Even Though a Doctor Says You’ve Recovered
In some instances, a doctor may tell you that you can return to work. However, you may not feel you’re ready. A lawyer can help you by extending the time you need for recovery.
Contact a Workers Comp Lawyer in Los Angeles Now
Have you suffered a work-related injury? If so, contact a workers comp lawyer in Los Angeles today. Call Workers Comp Attorney LA at (213) 263-6131 immediately.
