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Costa Mesa Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Costa Mesa Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Accidents can occur at work at any time and in any place. If one ever happens to you, it is important that you take the right steps to protect yourself by documenting not just your accident but your recovery process as well. Filing for workers’ compensation can be a good way to keep yourself financially stable throughout your recovery process. In some cases, your attempt to file a workers’ comp claim may not work, and you may need a Costa Mesa workers’ compensation lawyer’s assistance to do so effectively.

How Long Does Workers' Comp Last In San Diego?

Filing for Workers’ Comp Benefits in California

California deals with workers’ comp through a no-fault compensation system. Through this system, employees only need to prove that their accident happened at work to qualify for workers’ comp insurance through their employer. They don’t have to prove someone else at fault, even if that someone was their employer. In return for receiving workers’ comp benefits, the employee cannot take legal action against the employer in civil court.

Generally, this system benefits both parties, as the employee has an easier way to seek damages and the employer doesn’t have to worry about being held accountable. California has strong labor laws as well as comprehensive workers’ comp benefits that provide a great deal of support to the injured employee. They are designed to assist injured employees by paying for the medical care and financial relief they need to recover from their injury and hopefully re-enter the workforce.

The California labor code requires every company in California that employs at least one other employee to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This can greatly benefit the company if one of its employees suffers a workplace accident and needs financial relief during their recovery period.

The Claims Process

The claims process for obtaining workers’ comp benefits may work differently, depending on:

  • The company you work for
  • The severity of your injuries
  • How your company responds to your claim
  • Whether you have hired a workers’ comp lawyer to aid you

It is important to understand the steps in the process that you may encounter, as that can make it easier to work through if you ever suffer a workplace accident in the Costa Mesa . Here are some of the steps in the claims process:

Accident Fallout

The workers’ comp process begins when you suffer a workplace accident and subsequent injury. If your injury is severe enough, you may wish to pursue workers’ comp benefits while you focus on recovering from it. A work-related injury can be anything from a sudden injury due to an unforeseen accident or even an illness you contracted from your workplace. You should qualify as long as the injury happened at work.

Seek Medical Attention

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may want to seek immediate medical attention. At the time, you may want to get first aid or go to an onsite medical facility if your company has one. If not, call 911 to get an ambulance to you as quickly as possible. If you can wait for medical assistance, you may want to see a doctor later, as it can be important to establish a detailed medical record when the time comes to file for workers’ comp.

Notify Your Employer

You need to notify your employer of the accident as soon as you possibly can. They need to be kept informed from the start, as their involvement can impact how quickly you may be given or denied your benefits. When you tell your employer you were in an accident and are planning to file for workers’ comp, your employer will then give you a workers’ compensation claim form to fill out.

You need to fill this form out and return it to your employer promptly. Then, your company’s claims administrator can start reviewing your application for workers’ comp and determine if you deserve benefits.

Find a Doctor

If you haven’t already sought out medical attention, this would be your opportunity to do so. You need a primary care physician for your injury. This is necessary not just for your physical health but also for your workers’ comp claim. If you do not already have a regular doctor who may be in your employment records, your employer may choose a doctor for you to see, or you can choose one from their network.

Wait for a Response

While you wait for a response from your company, the claims administrator will go through your claim and determine a response. They will look through the evidence you have provided that supports your claim. Ultimately, the claims administrator will be the one who decides if your claim is strong enough to warrant workers’ comp benefits.

If your claim is accepted, then you will receive your workers’ comp benefits, and all is well. If your claim is denied, the administrator has decided your case for benefits isn’t strong enough, and you won’t receive benefits. If this happens, you should contact a workers’ comp lawyer who can help you draft an appeal and figure out exactly why your claim was denied. Sometimes, having a lawyer on your side may be enough to convince them to reconsider.

Continue Your Treatment

Regardless of what decision the claims administrator makes for your claim, you should continue your treatment. Your doctor will provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan, which you should follow closely. If your claim is accepted, there is a good chance your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier will take on the cost of your treatment or at least most of it.

Your doctor will be submitting reports to the claims administrator to determine exactly when you might be able to return to work, if you can return at all. It depends on the extent of your injury. Be sure to follow your treatment plan rigorously, as any failure to do so could hurt your claim. The last thing you want is for the claims administrator to start thinking your injury isn’t as bad as you say it is.

Disability Benefits

The claims administrator will be using the doctor’s reports to determine if you qualify for disability benefits. It will be up to them to decide if these will be temporary or permanent. These benefits may cover a percentage of your lost wages. Temporary benefits may start up soon after you are injured, while permanent benefits will only start once you have reached maximum medical improvement.

FAQs

Q: Why Is California Workers’ Comp So Expensive?

A: There are multiple reasons why workers’ comp in California might be more expensive than in other states. One reason is the state’s high cost of living. The cost of living in California is significantly higher than in many other states. A higher cost of living means that healthcare and insurance coverage are also more expensive. It might also mean higher wages, which can lead to premium insurance rates.

Q: How Do You Calculate a Workers’ Comp Settlement in California?

A: A workers’ comp settlement in California is calculated by using a distinct formula that considers a number of important factors. The formula multiplies your average weekly wage (AWW) by the number of weeks you are going to be out of work. The more serious your injury is, the more compensation you may receive. Regardless of fault, California’s labor laws enable you to receive workers’ comp benefits, provided you are approved by a claims administrator.

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for Pain and Suffering in California?

A: The average settlement for pain and suffering in California is not useful to your situation. Pain and suffering is a form of personal injury damages that can be a part of many different kinds of injury cases. The amount that one can receive in pain and suffering can vary significantly, depending on a number of important factors, including:

  • The details of the case
  • The amount of evidence that proves negligence
  • Your lawyer’s negotiation skills

Q: What Is the Five-Year Rule for Workers’ Comp in California?

A: The “five-year rule” for workers’ comp in California refers to the amount of time in which you can receive temporary disability benefits, which is generally five years. The five-year period begins on the date of your injury. If your injury is significantly long-term, such as a chronic lung condition or burn injuries, the payments can extend beyond five years. Generally, though, temporary disability benefits may stop after five years.

Reach Out to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

When you are injured in a workplace accident, you may be counting on your workers’ comp benefits to keep you sustained during this trying time. You may not be able to focus on your recovery if you are worried that your workers’ comp claim may not go through. If your claim is denied, you should reach out to a workers’ comp lawyer who can help you figure out your next steps and draft an appeal.

Diefer Law Group, P.C., can work out a plan to pursue your workers’ compensation benefits. We can develop your case, gather evidence that supports your claim, and make sure your employer doesn’t try to take advantage of you. Contact us to speak with a valued team member and schedule a consultation.

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Diefer Law Group, P.C.

Irvine

2030 Main Street
Suite 1356
Irvine, CA 92614

(949) 799-1860

San Diego

12636 High Bluff Drive
Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92130

(619) 728-3990

Los Angeles

355 South Grand Avenue
Suite 2450
Los Angeles, CA 90071

(213) 973-6142

Riverside

6670 Alessandro Blvd
Suite H,
Riverside CA, 92506

(951) 470-1862

Dana Point

34204 Pacific Coast
Highway
Dana Point, CA 92629

(949) 799-1534

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By contacting Diefer Law Group, you agree to receive emails, text messages, and phone calls regarding your legal inquiry, which may be considered advertising material. Emails, text messages, and phone calls may be automatically generated using the information from this contact form to better coordinate communication. You understand that your consent to this is not necessary to obtain legal services from Diefer Law Group. Messaging and data rates may apply.