If you are an Orange County resident and you have been injured on the job, it is important that you act quickly to protect your rights. At Solimon | Rodgers, P.C., we are solely focused on assisting physically and or psychologically injured employees in Southern California. We bring decades of knowledge and passionate advocacy to your claim, making you and your well-being our top priority. We’ll help you obtain the treatment you need and the maximum workers’ compensation benefits that you are entitled to, and we’ll handle the complex legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on resting and recovering.
What benefits are you entitled to?
- California workers’ compensation benefits generally fall into four different categories. The benefits that you will be entitled to will depend on the severity of your injury or illness and the impact it has on your ability to work, either in the short-term or long-term.
- Medical care benefits cover treatments and medications for your injury. You will be treated by a physician in what is called the Medical Provider Network, and your treatments will be dictated by medical treatment guidelines that detail different types of treatments for common workplace injuries as well as the frequency and duration of these treatments.
- If you are temporarily unable to work or if you are unable to perform certain aspects of your job and experience reduced wages, you are entitled to temporary disability benefits. Temporary disability benefits are intended to replace the income you would have earned but for your injury. These benefits are by nature temporary and will only continue until you are able to return to work or your treating doctor determines you have a permanent disability.
- If your treating doctor determines that you are permanently partially or totally disabled from a workplace injury, you are entitled to payments for loss of future earnings, also called permanent disability benefits. The amount of the payments you will receive is dependent upon the impairment percentage provided by your treating doctor. That percentage will be converted into a permanent disability value and then a dollar value using guidelines provided by the State of California. An experienced attorney can help make sure that you receive an appropriate impairment percentage and can assist you in advocating for a second opinion and higher compensation.
- If you are unable to return to your previous job, you may be eligible for a supplemental job displacement voucher valued at $6,000. You can use this voucher for expenses such as licensing and exam fees, tools for training programs, computer equipment, or placement/ resume services to assist you in finding new employment. As an alternative to the voucher, your employer may choose to offer you a different position that meets the following criteria:
- At least 85% of the salary of your prior job
- Is a reasonable commuting distance from your home
- Lasts for at least 12 months
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What Do You Do After a Workplace Injury?
This is a very common question that employees ask after being injured on the job. The expenses from an injury can be financially debilitating, especially when you are unable to work and are losing wages. With that in mind, it’s important that you follow all the steps necessary to make sure you will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Seek Medical Attention.
Your health and safety are the top priority. Make sure to promptly seek medical attention for your injury or illness. Even if you don’t think the injury is severe, it’s still important to be evaluated by a medical professional. Certain injuries may develop or worsen over time. In addition, your employer and their insurance company are significantly more likely to deny your claim if you have not sought out medical attention for your injury or illness.
File a Report
You will need to report your injury to your employer, usually via your supervisor or HR department. Make sure to report the injury or illness in writing and keep a record of that initial report. If your illness is a result of multiple incidents, detail those in your report and keep a record of any prior communications you’ve had with your employer related to the conditions that caused your illness. In addition, hold on to any documentation related to your injuries, such as photos of the area, medical records, or notes of witnesses.
Retain an Experienced Lawyer
Your employer and their insurance company are not looking out for your best interests; they are trying to limit their liability from the moment you file a claim form. It’s important that you hire an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. An attorney will be able to guide you through the entire claims process and ensure that your claim is not put on the back burner by the insurance company and their adjusters.
What are Common Workplace Injuries and Illnesses? And What Causes Them?
Below are common causes of workplace injuries and illnesses and the resulting injuries.
1.
Slip and falls
Slip and fall injuries are extremely common in the workplace. All too frequently, hazards go unnoticed or unaddressed due to employees’ busy schedules. Most often, slip and falls result in broken bones, fractures, sprains, lacerations, or back injuries.
2.
Cumulative trauma
Another common cause of injury is the tasks frequently performed by the employee. When an employee is manually lifting heavy objects, using an improper lifting technique, or is doing very repetitive movements with no breaks, they are likely to sustain muscle strains or repetitive strains. These types of injuries may seem insignificant, but they can cause severe long-term pain if not properly addressed.
3.
Collisions
Any employee who operates a motor vehicle, or works near motor vehicles, is at risk for a collision. Collisions involving an individual being struck by a vehicle can be catastrophic and result in traumatic head injuries, bone breaks, severed limbs, or death.
4.
Work environment
An employee’s work environment can lead to a wide variety of injuries and illnesses. Employees who work near hazardous materials or chemicals are at a higher risk for respiratory illnesses, burns, or skin conditions. Whereas employees who work in office spaces where they don’t have an ergonomic setup may develop chronic conditions such as back and neck pain or carpal tunnel. The work environment can also cause undue stress, anxiety, or loss of sleep, which can become debilitating to employees.
You Do Not Pay Unless We Win
To learn more about how our Orange County workers’ compensation lawyers can help you, call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
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Attorney in Orange County
The insurance company will have a team on their side–so should you! At Solimon | Rodgers, P.C., we know workers’ compensation. Our attorneys will aggressively fight for you to get the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, contact Solimon | Rodgers, The Kings of Workers’ Compensation, for a free consultation.
