Orange County Workers' Compensation Lawyer
We Fight For The Rights Of Injured Workers
WORKERS COMPENSATION ATTORNEY IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA
Employers and employees alike value a job that is done well. Unfortunately, an employer’s true colors are often shown after a worker suffers a job-related injury in an accident or due to the wear and tear of repetitive motion. Employers and their workers’ compensation insurance providers quickly pivot to doing everything in their power to make sure you, as an injured worker, settle for less than you deserve for their medical expenses and lost earnings.
At Diefer Law Group, P.C., we value injured workers and offer tenacious representation in Southern California workers’ compensation cases. You will never face the daunting workers’ compensation process alone; as experienced advocates, we will take on the insurance companies so you can focus on putting your life back together.
If you’ve suffered an injury at work, the clock is ticking on your right to pursue a claim. Call 888-301-7795 now for a free, no-obligation consultation with our proven work injury lawyers.
PROUD TO REPRESENT CALIFORNIA’S DIVERSE WORKFORCE
Workers in Southern California and throughout California make a living in a wide variety of ways. We represent everyone from delivery drivers and warehouse workers to construction workers and farm workers. Our attorneys have the knowledge and skills to navigate the workers’ compensation process, obtaining maximum benefits in claims stemming from:
- Construction site accidents. Construction is the most dangerous industry based on the number of workplace injuries reported across the country each year. Many people who suffer injuries while working construction not only face expensive medical bills but also extended recovery times and possibly even the inability to return to work. If you have been injured in any construction site accident, we can help you navigate the workers’ compensation claim process, and if you have grounds for legal recourse against a specific party responsible for your injury, we can assist you with this as well.
- Slip-and-fall accidents. A slip and fall may sound like a minor incident, but the reality is that falls account for most of the catastrophic and fatal workplace injuries reported in the United States each year. If you suffered a slip and fall at work, we will assist you in filing your workers’ compensation claim, securing the compensation you need for immediate and future medical expenses and your lost income while you are unable to work.
- Motor vehicle accidents. Many people drive for work, and as long as you are performing your work duties when an injury occurs, the location of the accident in question does not matter when it comes to your right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Additionally, if a third party outside of your work caused your accident, you likely have grounds to file a third-party personal injury claim to enhance your recovery, securing compensation for the damages that workers’ compensation can’t cover.
- Farm accidents. Agricultural work is more hazardous than many people realize. If you work in agriculture or perform any type of farm labor, you could have grounds for a workers’ compensation claim whether you suffered an acute traumatic injury from a tractor accident or other unexpected incident, and you may also have grounds for a claim if you suffered an injury from exposure, such as heat stroke.
- Repetitive motion injuries. Many workers’ compensation claims pertain to injuries acquired over time rather than specific traumatic incidents. If you developed carpal tunnel syndrome or any repetitive motion injury from performing your job duties, this can form the basis of your workers’ compensation claim.
- Factory accidents. Factories are inherently hazardous to workers in many ways. If your injury resulted from your employer’s failure to adhere to industry safety regulations or failure to address known safety risks in your factory workplace, a workers’ compensation claim is likely to be your best option for recovering your losses. In addition, you may have a Serious and Willful claim for your employer’s negligent or reckless disregard for inherently dangerous conditions, which your employer should have fixed.
- Explosions. Any explosion is incredibly dangerous. The concussive force of the blast as well as any shrapnel from the explosion are capable of causing tremendous physical harm. Our team can help you determine the cause of the explosion that injured you and guide you through the workers’ compensation claim filing process.
- Stress and mental illness-related issues. California’s workers’ compensation laws do not only apply to physically traumatic injuries, but also mental health disorders arising from one’s work duties and workplace. If you are struggling with a stress-related mental health issue from your work, you likely have grounds to file a workers’ compensation stress claim that may help you recover. Our team can help you prove the scope and severity of your situation so you can secure the compensation you deserve.
FAQs About Orange County, CA Orange County Workers Compensation Laws
If you have been injured on the job in Orange County, CA, do you know your rights? Our attorneys have focused experience in workers’ compensation law. We answer some common questions about California workers’ comp to help you understand the claims process and your rights.
Every work injury claim is unique. To address your specific situation, call (888) 301-7795 for a free consultation with a helpful Orange County workers’ comp attorney at Diefer Law Group.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IF I AM INJURED AT WORK?
There are important steps you should take to protect your health and preserve your legal rights. Seek medical attention if you suffered a serious injury, or even if your injuries seem minor. You must report your accident or injury to your supervisor. Follow up with treatment – medical documentation is critical to your workers’ compensation claim. Seek legal counsel to protect your rights.
WHAT BENEFITS DOES WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PROVIDE?
If you are injured on the job, your employer pays for all related medical expenses. Your employer also provides wage benefits until you are able to return to work. If you have a lasting impairment or disfigurement, you may be entitled to payments for partial disability. If your injury prevents you from returning to work, you could qualify for total disability benefits.
CAN I SEE MY OWN DOCTOR FOR A WORKPLACE INJURY?
You can seek treatment with your own doctors only if you submitted a “pre-designation” request to your employer before the injury. Otherwise, you must choose from a list of physicians approved by your employer. Those “preferred” doctors are not always objective in their assessment of injuries. This is another reason to contact a workers’ compensation lawyer, especially if they try to send you back to work before you are fully recovered.
CAN I SUE MY EMPLOYER INSTEAD OF FILING FOR WORKERS’ COMP?
No. Workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy under California law, even if your supervisor or co-worker was at fault. In some cases, you can bring a personal injury claim against a third party (such as an equipment manufacturer or a subcontractor on a job site) if their negligence contributed to your work injury.
CAN I GET WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT?
Yes. Workers’ comp covers driving in a work-related capacity – including travel between job sites. However, accidents while driving to or from your workplace each day would not be covered.
WHAT IF MY WORK INJURY WAS NOT CAUSED BY A SPECIFIC ACCIDENT?
Physical labor takes a toll on the body. You can claim workers’ compensation for “wear and tear” injuries that develop over time from the strains of your job, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or back injuries from lifting. These are known as repetitive stress or overuse injuries.
WHAT CAN I DO IF MY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIM IS DENIED?
Employers or their insurance carriers may deny claims for failing to report a workplace accident or incomplete paperwork. They may dispute that the injury was work-related. You have the right to appeal a denied claim, denial of medical treatment, a reduction in benefits or a termination of your disability claim. Consult a lawyer who primarily handles workers’ compensation claims.
WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?
Diefer Law Group invites you to a free consultation to address your concerns about a work injury or denied claim. Our skilled lawyers will fight for your rights. We represent injured workers throughout Southern California, with several convenient office locations. Call (888) 301-7795 or contact us online.
Contact Our Orange County Workers Compensation Lawyers Today
The team at Diefer Law Group has years of professional experience handling these and many other employment cases on behalf of clients throughout Orange County and Southern California. The workers’ compensation claim process may seem straightforward at first, but it is common for injured workers to face unexpected complications with their claims that they do not know how to address on their own. Similarly, many are unaware of their rights in terms of the compensation available to them. Our team will assist you in filing your claim and securing the maximum benefits possible.
DON’T LEAVE COMPENSATION ON THE TABLE
Most workers’ compensation claims will yield full coverage of medical expenses for the injured worker and about two-thirds of their average weekly wage in disability benefits for the time they are unable to work. As a firm that handles workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, we are uniquely positioned to ensure you obtain the full financial compensation available to you. We can pursue any available personal injury claims against third parties to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits for medical bills and lost earnings.
State law typically prevents an injured worker from filing a personal injury case against their employer in response to a work injury, but there are exceptions to this rule. First and foremost, if your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, they are not only in violation of California law but also have no immunity to your civil claim. Alternatively, if a specific party in your workplace intentionally injured you, or if your employer was negligent in their handling of a known safety issue at work that caused your injury, these issues could also justify a personal injury claim filed in tandem with your workers’ compensation claim.
It is also possible to have grounds for legal recourse against a third party responsible for your injury. For example, if you were injured in an auto accident while driving for work, you would have the right to file your claim for workers’ compensation benefits since the accident happened while you were working, but you would also have the right to file a personal injury claim against the driver who hit you.
While a workers’ compensation claim can cover your medical treatment costs and a portion of your lost income after a work injury, a personal injury claim can help you recover the rest of your lost income that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover as well as compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced. Your Orange County workers’ compensation attorney will be invaluable for maximizing your recovery after any workplace injury, and you will be able to approach any and all proceedings ahead of you with confidence and peace of mind.
MEDICAL BILLS AND YOUR WORKPLACE INJURY CLAIM
Many workers wonder how they will be able to pay their medical bills if the insurance company delays or fights them. Some employees have been told, falsely, that they must pay the bills and wait to be reimbursed. California Labor Code states that “If an employee has filed a claim form …, a provider of medical services shall not, with actual knowledge that a claim is pending, collect money directly from the employee for services to cure or relieve the effects of the injury for which the claim form was filed …” It can be difficult to navigate the claims process. We can help. When we take your case, we step between you and your employer and you and the insurance company. We review everything that comes your way to ensure that you are only paying what you are legally obligated to. We stand up for your rights. We pursue any and all compensation due to you. We will determine who the insurance company is, pursue authorization and demand that you are provided with a list of doctors or providers you can see.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON YOUR CLAIM
You have a limited time in which to file a workers’ compensation claim. While the one-year statute of limitations on workers’ compensation claims may seem like more than enough time, the reality is that any delay in filing your claim inherently casts doubt on the validity of your claim in the eyes of the insurance carrier. It is always best to start the claim filing process as soon as possible after your work injury. Once you have received any immediate medical treatment you require and your supervisor has created an incident report of your injury, it’s best to consult an experienced Orange County workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible to start the claim filing process.
If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related injury, you have much to gain and nothing to lose by speaking to one of our compassionate lawyers. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 888-301-7795 to speak with a member of our team.
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