Work-related injuries can be emotional, painful, and confusing. Unfortunately, your employer’s insurance company may not always treat you fairly. In addition to denied claims, your employer may request excessive amounts of proof or make it more difficult than necessary for you to get fair compensation. In some cases, a small mishap can jeopardize your entire workers’ compensation claim.
If you’ve been injured on the job, it’s highly recommended that you speak with an experienced workers compensation attorney. A Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney will fight on your behalf and will now allow your employer to take advantage of you.
Main Type of Workers-Related Injuries
There are two main types of work-related injuries that California employees suffer from: apparent and non-apparent injuries.
Apparent or immediate injuries can be a result of a specific work-related accident. For example, getting burned by chemical splashes on your skin, getting injured in a car accident while making a delivery, or hurting your back from a work-related fall. With apparent injuries, there is a direct connection between cause and effect. Essentially, an employee’s injury (effect) is the result of an employer’s negligence (cause).
Non-apparent injuries are work-related injuries as a result of repeated exposures. There could be various causes behind non-apparent injuries including exposure to harmful chemicals or other unsafe working conditions. Examples include hurting your hand, back, or other body parts from doing the same motion over and over (such as typing). Loss of hearing from a constant, loud noise can also be considered a non-apparent injury.
Compensation for Workplace Injuries
California employees are entitled to compensation for any work-related injuries which can include medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplement job displacement, benefits, and death benefits.
Medical care benefits can help you recover from an illness or injury caused by work. This can include doctor visits, physical therapy, diagnostic testing, surgery, medications, rehabilitation, and counseling.
Temporary disability benefits are paid if you lose wages as a result of your injury and are unable to do your usual job while recovering.
Permanent disability benefits are paid if you are unable to recover completely after a work-related injury. If your injury caused a permanent loss of a physical or mental function, you may qualify for these benefits.
Supplemental job displacement benefits are provided to help pay for skill enhancement or retraining. These benefits are paid to you if you’re eligible to receive permanent disability benefits, your employer does not offer you work, and you do not return to work for your employer.
Death benefits are payments made to your spouse, children, or dependents if you die from a work-related injury or illness.
Contact a Workers Compensation Claims Lawyer Today
For more than 20 years, Mesriani Law Group has successfully helped our clients with numerous workers compensation cases. Our experienced attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help you obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact our office today to see how we can help you with your possible case.
