When you suffer an injury on the job, the experience can be challenging and frightening. You are most likely facing the need for medical attention and continuous follow-up care, such as physical or occupational therapy. You might find yourself wondering, does workers’ compensation pay for physical therapy and occupational therapy in LA? The reality is that the answer is much more nuanced than a simple yes or no, but an attorney can help you determine your eligibility.
For those who suffer a workplace injury, the recovery process can be long and tedious, not to mention expensive. You are likely feeling overwhelmed as you watch the medical expenses begin to build up while you are unable to return to work due to permanent or temporary disabilities. Your medical care team might suggest you begin receiving physical or occupational therapy to get you back into the workforce, but the costs for these therapies can be high.
Having the right attorney on your side can help ensure you receive the compensation necessary to receive these therapies for as long as your workers’ compensation insurance allows.
What Is Workers’ Comp in California?
In the state of California, if you are injured at your place of work through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to seek benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. These benefits are in place to help you recover and rehabilitate from the injuries you have sustained. They can also ensure you continue to receive the necessary medical treatment and that these treatments do not cause you future financial hardship.
Benefits you may be eligible for under workers’ compensation include the following:
- Medical Benefits: Workers’ comp may cover the costs of medical treatments, such as emergency services, medical procedures or surgeries, ongoing treatment, certain therapies for a specific amount of time, and medications.
- Rehab Benefits: Workers’ comp can also help with certain vocational and physical rehabilitation such as new job training and a certain amount of physical therapy appointments.
- Disability Benefits: If you have become permanently or temporarily disabled and are unable to return to work, you may be entitled to receive certain benefits or lost wages.
- Death Benefits: If you have lost a loved one due to a workplace injury, you may be entitled to certain benefits, including those that the employee would have received if they had not passed away.
Does Workers’ Compensation Pay for Physical or Occupational Therapies?
If you suffered an injury at your Los Angeles place of work in 2004 or later, you can seek a limited amount of chiropractic visits, physical therapy visits, and occupational therapy visits if these visits are related to your injury. The only exception to this rule is if the insurance company or claims authorizer allows you additional visits in writing. The limited number of these therapy visits is 24.
Additionally, regardless of the date of your injury, you may be subjected to further limits on the number of visits you are allowed based on the medical treatment guidelines of workers’ compensation in California.
What to Do If Your Employer’s Insurance Company Does Not Authorize Treatment Right Away
If you find yourself in a position where your employer’s insurance company has not yet authorized the coverage for the necessary treatment you need, it is important to speak with your supervisor, your employer, and your attorney. Under California law, you are entitled to immediate medical treatment when necessary. If the insurance provider still does not authorize treatment, use your own health insurance to obtain care and seek reimbursement in your claim.
If you would like to try and avoid problems while seeking necessary medical treatment, it is important to understand your physician’s treatment plan and request copies of all their medical reports about your injury. These reports can describe the nature and severity of your injury, the cause of your injury, and the necessary treatment you need, including physical or occupational therapy.
FAQs
Q: What Injuries Are Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation in California?
A: Most injuries that happen as a result of a workplace accident will be covered by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance. However, there are some cases where these injuries will not be covered. If your injuries were self-inflicted, caused by fighting, roughhousing, or horseplay, sustained while you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or resulted in intentional misconduct, they would not be covered.
Q: What Injuries Are Often Involved in Workers’ Compensation Claims in California?
A: Virtually any injury can happen on a job site in California. The most common injuries involved in workers’ compensation claims include broken bones, lacerations, internal bleeding, deep bruising, fractures, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ or nerve damage, harm sustained on any of the soft tissues of the body, and repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel, or amputations.
Q: Does Workers’ Comp Pay for Pain and Suffering in California?
A: No, in the state of California, you cannot receive benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance for pain and suffering damages. Oftentimes, these damages are only involved in personal injury cases. If you have reason to believe a negligent third party was involved in your workplace injury, you could seek additional compensation, including pain and suffering damages, in a third-party liability civil claim.
Q: How Much Does a Work Injury Lawyer Charge in California?
A: It’s difficult to provide an exact number as to how much a work injury lawyer might charge for their services in California as each attorney is different, and so is the way in which they structure their fees. However, there are several common factors that can influence these fees. These include the duration and complexity of the case and the attorney’s experience.
Engage the Team at Diefer Law Group Today
If you have been a victim of a workplace accident in Los Angeles, you may be entitled to receive compensation under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. If you need physical or occupational therapy, your doctor can report this to the insurance company. In times like these, it is wise to have a lawyer on your side, and the team at Diefer Law Group is here to help. Contact our team today and schedule a free consultation.
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