Fullerton Workers Compensation Lawyer
Fullerton Workers Compensation Attorney
No one deserves to be placed in a position where they must choose between their job safety or their own personal health. Employers in California are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance so employees may receive certain benefits while recovering from a work-related injury or illness. If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, a Fullerton workers’ compensation lawyer is essential to the outcome of your case.
The unfortunate reality is that employers and their insurance providers can make this relatively straightforward legal process become extremely complex and confusing to someone who is not well-versed in this area of law. At Diefer Law Group, our attorneys have 60 years of combined legal experience. We assist individuals who struggle following a work-related injury or illness. We understand the nuances of these claims and are ready to help you.
What Is Workers’ Compensation in Fullerton, CA?
Many individuals may have heard the term “workers’ compensation” but that doesn’t necessarily mean they understand all the intricacies of this form of labor law. Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that typically works just like any insurance coverage might. It carries the intention to protect an employee’s rights and their employer when the employee is injured or becomes ill due to a workplace accident.
Usually, workers’ compensation protects the employer from having to pay a substantial amount of money should one of their employees get hurt or sick due to a workplace accident. It protects the individual employee from having to pay their own medical bills that occur as a result of the injury or illness.
Likewise, it can also protect the employer from legal action by the injured or ill employee for the accident. Typically, if your injury or illness was caused by or occurred at work, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will be liable for the damages.
Workers’ Compensation Eligibility
However, to be eligible for workers’ compensation in Fullerton following a work-related illness or injury, there are several factors that the accident cannot include. The workers’ compensation insurance will most likely not pay for your claim if your injuries:
- Were the result of an accident that occurred while you were under the influence or impaired by drugs or alcohol
- You purposely caused the accident to occur
- The injury you suffered was sustained outside of work
- You were roughhousing or fighting with other coworkers when the accident occurred
If you believe you are eligible to receive certain benefits under workers’ compensation insurance, it’s time to contact the legal team at Diefer Law Group, which can assist you in filing your claim and handle any negotiations that may arise.
Diefer Law Group: Working to Protect You Following a Work-Related Injury or Illness
The legal system surrounding filing a claim for workers’ compensation is a complex and nuanced world that requires a substantial understanding of the employment law. Though you do not have to hire a lawyer to represent you in a claim for workers’ compensation, our legal assistance and guidance can be paramount to the outcome of your case. At Diefer Law Group, the protection of your rights is our number one priority.
When you hire a workers’ compensation attorney from Diefer Law Group, you are ensuring that you will have a lawyer on your side who can help you build a strong legal case. A lawyer can utilize all evidence in the case to prove the legitimacy of your claim and help you navigate the legal process of both civil and even criminal litigation, should your workplace injury be caused by an act of assault.
A lawyer can also help you file all necessary paperwork and can negotiate on your behalf. If you decide the time has come to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, the attorneys at Diefer Law Group have the knowledge and resources necessary to begin building a firm case.
Common Injuries in Workers’ Compensation Claims
No matter what your place of work is, there are several injuries that may befall you when you perform the duties of your employment. From operating heavy machinery on an industrial site to working in a warehouse to tripping and falling on uneven stairs as you walk into the office, a variety of injuries may be sustained. You don’t have to work in a dangerous industry or business to become injured or ill at work. Some of the most common injuries sustained at work include:
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Cuts and bruises
- Amputations
- Crushing injuries
- Pushing injuries
- Pinning injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Muscle sprains
- Muscles strains
- Shoulder injuries
- Back injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Mental stress
- Cancers
- Lung diseases
- Concussions
- Severe burns
- Chemical burns
- Chemical poisoning
- Electrical shock
- Tendonitis
If you have suffered any of these injuries after a work-related accident or exposure to toxins, you may have grounds to file a claim for workers’ compensation. The attorneys at Diefer Law Group are here to help. Any of these injuries have the potential to keep you out of work for a long period of time, so it is essential that you receive the care and benefits you need to get through this challenging period.
Damages Recoverable in a Fullerton Workers’ Compensation Claim
When you suffer a work-related injury or illness that keeps you from performing your essential job duties, you may be concerned about your future and worried about how you will make ends meet while out of work. This is where workers’ compensation can assist individuals like yourself. At Diefer Law Group, our attorneys can help you get the assistance you need. Damages recoverable can include:
- Medical Bills: These are often the most common form of damages recovered in a workers’ compensation claim. When you are injured or become ill, you will likely need to pay for doctor’s visits, hospital stays, transportation, surgeries, or other necessary procedures, treatments, medical devices, or medications. These amounts can add up quickly, even if you are only paying for required copays. Benefits from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance can assist in paying for these medical expenses.
- Physical Rehabilitation: Depending on the nature or severity of your injury, you may find it necessary to partake in physical rehabilitation to get back to your past level of functionality. Working through a doctor’s physical rehabilitation program can be critical in getting yourself back to a place where you can work.
- Lost Wages: If you are the primary source of income for your family, suffering a workplace injury and being unable to continue the necessary duties of your employment can be a frightening place to be. Your injury or illness may keep you from doing your job, therefore leaving you in a place where you cannot currently earn a wage. Workers’ compensation insurance can help you recover any lost wages.
- Pain and Suffering: In some workers’ compensation claims, you could obtain a monetary settlement for your own pain and suffering. The severity of your injury or illness and how much it affects your enjoyment of life will be considered when determining this kind of compensation.
FAQs
Q: How Much Do Workers’ Comp Lawyers Charge in California?
A: Since each workers’ comp case is different, and so is each attorney who works on these cases, it is difficult to determine how much these lawyers may charge for their services. However, there are common factors that will impact the total cost of an attorney. These factors can include the duration and complexity of the case and the location and experience of the attorney.
Q: How Much Is the Average Workers’ Comp Settlement in California?
A: The average settlement amount of a workers’ compensation claim depends on several factors involved in the case. When calculating the potential settlement amount, an attorney may consider factors such as the severity of the illness or injury, the victim’s ability to return to the same type of employment, or if any third parties were involved in the accident.
Q: What Is the 90-Day Rule for Workers’ Compensation in California?
A: In the state of California, once you file your claim for workers’ compensation through your employer and their insurance company, the insurance company has exactly 90 days to either deny or accept the claim and permit you to start receiving benefits. If they do not provide an answer within the 90-day period, you may be automatically awarded certain benefits.
Q: What Are Common Causes of Accidents in the Workplace in California?
A: There can be many causes of accidents that occur in the workplace that result in injuries or illnesses. These accidents might include slips, trips, or falls, falling from great heights, being struck by an object falling from above, being crushed or pinned by heavy machinery, company vehicle accidents, and performing repetitive motions.
Speak with a Trusted Fullerton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
If you have been injured or fallen ill due to a workplace accident or repetitive stress, you could file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Should this be the case, you should ensure you have legal counsel and representation on your side who understands the intricacies of these cases. Contact the offices of Diefer Law Group today to schedule your free consultation.
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