Los Angeles Workplace Back Injury Lawyer
Los Angeles Workplace Back Injury Attorney
After any injury at work in Los Angeles, the injured worker must understand how workers’ compensation insurance works and how they can secure benefits that will assist with their recovery. Back injuries at work are particularly painful and debilitating, and anyone who has suffered this type of injury will need help maximizing their recovery. A Los Angeles workplace back injury lawyer is an invaluable asset if you have experienced this type of injury at work.
Helping Clients Recover From Back Injuries at Work in Los Angeles, CA
The Diefer Law Group has years of experience representing clients in all types of work injury claims in Los Angeles, including those involving back injuries. Almost every employer in the state is required to have workers’ compensation insurance, and this can be a tremendous asset for any injured worker, providing the financial support they need to recover and hopefully return to work as soon as possible.
Our firm can guide you through every step of the workers’ compensation claim filing process. We can resolve any problems you encounter with your employer and/or their insurance carrier, and we can help you make a clearer sense of your recovery options. You may have grounds to file not only a workers’ compensation claim but also a separate civil claim against the specific party who directly caused your injury.
Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Los Angeles
After you report your injury to your employer, they are required to provide you with the materials you need to file your workers’ compensation claim. They may not interfere with this process or retaliate against you for asking to file your claim. If they do, they face severe legal penalties. If you have any concerns about your employer’s response to your request to file a workers’ compensation claim, speak with an attorney immediately.
A prerequisite for your workers’ compensation claim will be a medical evaluation from a workers’ compensation doctor. This doctor will assess the severity of your injury and assign you a disability rating. This rating will be a major point of consideration when it comes to your determination of benefits. The more severe your injury, the higher your rating will be and the more compensation you will receive from the insurance company.
Workers’ compensation insurance generally prevents an injured employee from filing a civil suit against their employer in response to an injury at work. However, there are exceptions to this rule. You could have grounds for a civil lawsuit against your employer if they do not have the required insurance or if they directly caused your injury through an intentional action.
For example, if they forced you to perform a task outside your usual job duties that had virtual certainty of causing an injury, they would be liable for a civil suit. It’s more likely that an injured worker will have grounds to file a personal injury claim against a third party. If anyone outside of your work directly caused your injury, you can hold them accountable for any damages that workers’ compensation insurance won’t cover, such as your pain and suffering.
The Diefer Law Group is ready to work closely with you to help you recover as fully as possible from your back injury at work. The sooner you file your claim, the more likely you are to maximize your benefits, and our firm can also assist you with filing a related third-party claim if you have grounds to do so. Our goal for every client we represent in Los Angeles is maximum recovery in the shortest possible timeframe.
FAQs
Q: Can a Back Injury Cause Permanent Disability?
A: Yes, it is possible for back injuries at work to result in many types of long-term or permanent disability. Some victims of these injuries experience chronic pain, diminished mobility, and greatly reduced ability to lift and carry heavy objects. It’s also possible for a back injury to cause nerve damage, which leads to diminished sensation, and some back injuries affect bone, soft tissue, and nerve structures.
Q: What Happens if I Cannot Return to My Previous Job After a Back Injury?
A: If you are disabled enough that you cannot resume your previous job duties but are medically able to handle alternative work, it is possible that your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy includes vocational rehabilitation benefits. These benefits effectively pay for new job training. Your employer may find an alternative position for you within your company so you can stay with the same employer in a new job after recovery.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Receive for a Workplace Back Injury in Los Angeles?
A: A successful workers’ compensation claim will usually yield full medical expense coverage and disability benefits that reflect your ability to continue working after your injury. You may qualify for partial disability benefits to offset the difference in your earnings if you can still work but cannot earn your usual pay while you recover, or you can receive total disability benefits if you cannot work at all.
Q: What Compensation Can I Seek With a Third Party Personal Injury Claim?
A: If you have grounds to file a third-party personal injury claim, it could enable you to collect compensation for the damages that workers’ compensation does not cover. For example, you could seek the remainder of your missing income that total disability benefits will not provide, and you could also claim pain and suffering compensation from the defendant. This could substantially increase your total recovery if you suffered a permanently disabling injury.
Q: How Much Does a Los Angeles Workplace Back Injury Lawyer Charge?
A: The Diefer Law Group offers contingency fee billing for work injury claims in Los Angeles. When you have a contingency fee agreement with your attorney, you only pay a percentage of your final case award as your attorney’s fee, and you only pay this fee if they win your case. If your attorney cannot recover compensation for you, you pay nothing, so there is no financial risk in hiring legal counsel under a contingency fee agreement.
Get Legal Advice From An Experienced Workplace Back Injury Attorney
The right legal team can dramatically improve the overall quality of your recovery from a back injury at work. If you need help filing your workers’ compensation claim in Los Angeles, the Diefer Law Group has the resources and experience necessary to handle the most complex claims. Contact us today and make an appointment for a free consultation with a Los Angeles workplace back injury lawyer you can trust with your recovery.
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