Workplace Injury Lawyers in Irvine, CA
IRVINE WORK INJURY ATTORNEY
Irvine is a beautiful city and cultural hub that many Californians and Americans flock to for working and living. As a result, many construction projects are constantly underway to make places for newcomers and to update existing infrastructure. New projects underway can provide exciting opportunities for construction workers in and around the Irvine community. However, if proper safety precautions are not followed, this can lead to accidents on-site.
If you are a construction worker in Irvine, CA who has been the victim of an accident while on the job, you may be seeking workers’ compensation for your personal injury. A construction accident attorney from Diefer Law Group, P.C., can support you with their experience and knowledge in the construction injury field to help you optimize your case outcome. Our accident attorneys have experience working with a variety of cases, from minor injury to wrongful death.
Determining Work Injuries
A work injury is the only condition that can be eligible for workers’ comp. California law stipulates that the injury must meet two criteria:
- Arise out of employment
- Occur in the course of employment
This just means that, for your injury to be considered legitimate, it must have been through your role as an employee and while performing the function for which you were hired to do. This means that injuries which happened on your commute or lunch may not be eligible for workers’ comp. Likewise, an injury that involved the employee engaging in “horseplay,” being intoxicated, or intentionally harming themselves may not be covered.
Workers’ Compensation
The specifics of what workers’ compensation will cover are determined by the individual case. Generally, though, workers’ comp may cover:
- All medical treatment that the injury requires, but it will have to be gotten through approved providers
- Temporary or permanent disability to cover some lost wages, depending on the severity of the injury
- Training and job placement if the injury requires a change in careers
- Death benefits if the injury caused the employee to lose their life
When you’re injured on the job, every minute counts—and so does every dollar. At Diefer Law Group, our workplace injury lawyers in Irvine, CA, understand the pressure you’re under. From mounting medical bills to lost wages, your recovery journey deserves experienced legal support. We’re here to protect your rights and pursue the full compensation you deserve under California law.
PROVIDING LEGAL GUIDANCE THAT WORKS FOR YOU
Our team focuses exclusively on employment law and workers’ compensation. Whether you slipped on a wet floor, were struck by machinery, or developed an injury from repetitive strain, we know how to pursue your case effectively. Each claim is different, and our attorneys provide personal, strategic guidance built around your unique situation.
BUILDING STRONG CASES WITH PROVEN STRATEGIES
Our Irvine attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience and have recovered over $100 million for clients. We investigate every case thoroughly—reviewing medical records, speaking with witnesses, and compiling all documentation necessary to build a rock-solid case. Whether your claim involves temporary disability, permanent impairment, or denied benefits, we know what to do and how to win.
MAKING LEGAL HELP ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE
You don’t have to face the insurance company alone. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—meaning we only get paid if you do. Our team also serves Spanish-speaking clients, ensuring that language is never a barrier to justice. From your initial consultation to the resolution of your claim, you’ll receive the attention and respect you deserve.
FIGHTING FOR COMPENSATION YOU DESERVE
California employees have the right to medical care, wage replacement, and compensation for long-term impairment. Our goal is simple: get you every benefit you’re entitled to. When employers or insurers push back, we push harder. As your trusted work injury compensation lawyer in Irvine, CA, we’re not afraid to take your case to court if that’s what it takes.
What are you waiting for? Connect with us today!
Workplace Injury FAQs
Q: What Happens If I Get Injured at Work?
A: If you’re hurt at work, you will want to make sure to act quickly. The law doesn’t leave a lot of time for legal action to be taken, so promptly addressing the situation is important. There are a few steps involved in the process, which are:
- Notify your employer of the injury within 30 days.
- Your employer will send you to get treatment at a provider that is approved by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance company.
- Your employer will provide you with a DWC-1 claim form to fill out. You must provide a description of the injury that you suffered and the circumstances that created the injury.
- When you give your employer the form, they will send it to the insurance agent.
- You should hear back within 90 days.
- If your claim is rejected or there is a dispute, you can appeal. It would be a good idea to speak with a lawyer before this point, but you will definitely want to review your options with one if you haven’t before this.
Q: What’s the 90-Day Rule for Workers’ Comp in California?
A: When a claim is submitted to a workers’ compensation insurance company in California, they then have no more than 90 days to respond. If they fail to respond within 90 days, there is a default liability decision, and your claim should be paid out. It is possible to overturn this decision, but that is very rare. The only way that can happen is if there is new evidence regarding the claim that meets three criteria:
- The evidence must be materially relevant to the claim in question.
- The evidence cannot be something that your employer or the insurance company was aware of in the 90 days after submission.
- The evidence cannot be something that your employer or the insurance company could have discovered during that time.
Q: What Is a Work Injury?
A: There may be injuries at work that don’t qualify as work injuries. For instance, injuries that are a product of intoxication or intent on the part of the injured won’t be covered by workers’ comp. Additionally, an injury that happens on the way to or from work is also unlikely to be covered. This is because they don’t meet California criteria that require a work injury to “arise out of employment” and occur in the “course of employment.” This means that, for something to qualify as a work injury, it must occur while you are at work performing a function that is a part of your employment. Something like “horseplay,” which is not work that you were hired to do, leading to an injury will not likely be covered. If you are unsure whether your case qualifies as a work injury or not, it can be helpful to talk with a work injury lawyer.
Q: How Much Missed Work Will Workers’ Comp Cover?
A: Workers’ comp will always cover the medical costs associated with your injury. Missed wages during your time out of work will be covered by either a temporary or permanent disability program, depending on the severity of the injury. In most cases, the disability will end when you are able to return to work or a doctor clears you for work. While temporary disability has a maximum of 104 weeks available, it may often run for a shorter period of time. There is a possibility of 240 weeks on temporary disability if you were afflicted with one of a few specific injuries.
In either case, there is no requirement that weeks be used consecutively. That way, if you attempt to return to work but find that your condition worsens, you can take more time off. However, the weeks must be used within five years. For those with injuries so severe that temporary disability is not enough, permanent disability may be an option.
Do I need a lawyer to file a workers’ comp claim?
While not legally required, hiring a lawyer increases your chances of getting full benefits—especially if your employer or insurer disputes the claim.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing upfront. We offer free consultations and only get paid if you win.
Can I be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim?
No. It’s illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for pursuing a workers’ compensation claim in California.
Can undocumented workers file a work injury claim?
Yes. California law allows undocumented workers to receive workers’ compensation benefits, and we proudly serve all workers regardless of status.
What should I do after getting injured at work?
Report the injury to your employer immediately, seek medical attention, and contact a qualified workplace injury lawyer to understand your rights and next steps.
Getting What You Deserve
Even if you have a clearly legitimate claim to workers’ compensation, the insurance company that’s responsible for paying it out may give you a hard time. What they pay you is going to eat into their profits, and they aren’t going to give that up easily. Fortunately, a skilled, experienced legal team can make a tremendous difference in holding these companies to their responsibilities. That’s the kind of legal help you can expect from Diefer Law Group. Contact us and see if your case deserves more than you’ve been offered.
Schedule Your Free, Private Consultation
Get clarity, confidence, and a plan of action—all in one call.
Your free consultation is your opportunity to get clear answers and real guidance.
A member of our experienced legal team — specializing in Workers’ Compensation and Employment Law — will:
- Listen to your situation and understand your concerns.
- Explain your legal options in plain language.
- Outline the next steps to help protect your rights—all in complete confidence.
Get started by choosing a date and time that works for you.
