Were You Injured in a Rancho Cucamonga Work Accident?
After sustaining an injury on the job, consulting with a workers' comp attorney is crucial. If your job's insurance carrier is denying you workers' compensation benefits to help you cover expenses like lost wages, medical treatment, and rising medical bills, it's essential to quickly secure the legal representation of a workers' compensation attorney. Please don't deal with your employer and their insurance company alone.
The workers' compensation lawyers at Sierra Accident Lawyers in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, can help you assess the value of your workers' comp case. Call our personal injury law firm now to schedule a free consultation.
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What Does a Rancho Cucamonga Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Do?
If you sustained a workplace injury in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, consider hiring a local workers' compensation attorney. Local Southern California workers' compensation lawyers are familiar with the local legal community, including local courts, judges, and the law offices of opposing counsel.
At the law offices of Sierra Accident Lawyers, our workers' compensation attorneys have been serving Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, and surrounding areas in the Inland Empire for years. We highly value integrity in providing the best legal advocacy, and our legal team and support staff will fight tirelessly to help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to under workers' compensation law.
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When Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
A workers' compensation claim can get significantly complex if your employer delays or denies your benefits.
It's best to consider hiring a workers' compensation lawyer in situations including the following:
- Your employer's negligence or misconduct caused your injury.
- Your employer denied your workers' compensation claim.
- Your employer delays or does not pay your benefits out appropriately.
- Your employer doesn't carry workers' comp insurance.
- Your workplace injuries limit your working capacity or prevent you from returning to work.
PRACTICE AREAS
Consider hiring a workers' compensation lawyer when your claim is denied or disputed, your employer's negligence contributed to your injury, or you face complexities like delayed benefits, lack of insurance coverage, or long-term work limitations.
The personal injury law firm of Sierra Accident Lawyers has been helping injured employees get compensation for their workplace injuries in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, and throughout Sothern California for decades.
How Does the Workers’ Compensation Law Work?
The workers' compensation system is a mandatory program established to protect employees who are injured on the job. In California, employers are legally required to carry workers' compensation insurance to help aid employees who sustained work-related injuries. However, workers' compensation is complex and governed by state laws.
Unfortunately, it isn't uncommon for employers to try and delay or deny workers' compensation benefits. In these difficult situations, seeking the legal counsel of an experienced workers' compensation attorney is crucial.
Our workers' compensation attorneys know how employers and insurers exploit injured workers. So we will fight to hold your employer and insurance company responsible for your work-related injury and losses.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
If you sustain an injury or illness on the job, workers' comp can provide medical benefits and help cover other expenses related to the workplace accident.
Workers' comp can help cover losses, including the following:
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
- Medical bills
- Medical care
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Permanent disability
- Temporary disability
- Supplemental job displacement
Most Common Work-Related Accidents in Rancho Cucamonga
Slip and Fall injuries
Trips, slips, and falls are the leading cause of workers' compensation claims. These work-related accidents accounted for 18% of the 1,176,340 nonfatal work injuries in 2020. Factors contributing to these kinds of accidents include wet or oily surfaces, poor lighting, weather conditions, uneven surfaces, cables, loose rugs or carpets, and inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Motor vehicle accidents
Auto accidents are a top cause of accidents in the United States. For example, in California, there were 3,558 fatal crashes in 2020.
Repetitive stress
This involves performing constant, repetitive motions and can cause damage to your muscles, nerves, and tendons over time. Repetitive stress affects about 1.8 million people per year.
Overexertion
Overexertion can involve muscle sprains, strains, and tears and can be caused by repetitive movements or sudden motions. Overexertion is most common among workers who perform heavy lifting and manual labor outdoors for long periods. Short breaks are necessary because work without breaks will accumulate wear and tear on a person's body.
Being hit or caught in equipment
Work-related accidents involving machinery and equipment can be hazardous. For example, a worker can become caught in machinery or hit or crushed by a moving object or machine. This can cause catastrophic consequences like crushed limbs, amputations, blindness, disfigurement, and paralysis.
Hazardous chemicals
Toxic substances are dangerous to work with and often require special PPE to protect workers from getting hurt. In addition, toxic chemicals can cause damage to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
Fire and explosions
Explosions and fires in the workplace can be caused by inadequately stored flammable materials, damaged gas lines, and exposure to open flames. Exposure to fire can cause respiratory issues, burns, and disfigurement.
Hearing loss
Hearing loss can occur when workers are exposed to loud noises constantly. Even with PPE, a worker can gradually develop hearing loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Steps To Take After a Workplace Injury
After experiencing a workplace injury, taking several key steps to protect your rights and ensure you receive the appropriate workers' compensation benefits is essential.
First, promptly notify your employer about the incident, providing details about the injury and how it occurred. Next, seek medical care as soon as possible, even if your injury seems minor, as some conditions may worsen. Finally, record all medical appointments, treatments, and diagnoses related to your work-related injury.
Additionally, document the incident by taking photographs of the scene, gathering witness statements, and noting any contributing factors or unsafe conditions. By diligently following these steps, you'll create a solid foundation for your workers' compensation claim and safeguard your rights.
Workers' Compensation Claim Process
To file a workers' compensation claim in California, report your work-related injury to your employer within 30 days. Your employer should provide a DWC-1 claim form, which you must complete and submit promptly. The insurance carrier will usually accept or deny the claim within 14 days.
If your claim is denied or disputed, you may need to request a hearing before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) and consider hiring a workers' comp attorney. Throughout the process, maintain documentation of your injury, medical treatments, and communications with all parties involved.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers' Comp Claim?
It's vital to report your work injury within 30 days to help avoid delays in receiving the benefits you deserve. If you don't discover your illness or injury within this period, the statute of limitations is 1 year from the date of discovery.
How Long Can I Stay on Workers' Comp?
Workers' comp benefits are typically parceled over 104 weeks or 2 years. However, if you do not require the payments consecutively, you can parcel them out over 5 years.
Types of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Covered by Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation claims encompass various work-related injuries and illnesses, providing financial support to employees in need. Examples of such injuries include fractures, burns, or lacerations sustained in workplace accidents and long-term illnesses like carpal tunnel syndrome or chronic back pain caused by repetitive strain. Workers' compensation also covers occupational diseases like mesothelioma from exposure to hazardous materials like asbestos.
It's important to remember that eligibility for workers' compensation depends on the specific circumstances surrounding each case, and seeking guidance from a knowledgeable workers' compensation attorney can help clarify your rights and options.
What Injuries Are Not Covered by a Workers' Compensation Claim?
- Intentional harm to oneself.
- Horseplay, fist-fighting, and violent altercations.
- Getting hurt while breaking the law.
- An act of God – including natural disasters.
- Getting hurt while intoxicated at the workplace.
- Getting injured during a break or lunch away from the worksite.
- Getting in a car accident while commuting to and from work.
- Pre-existing illnesses or conditions before starting the job.
Can You Be Fired While on Workers' Comp?
Under California law, an employer cannot terminate a person's employment as retaliation for filing a workers' compensation claim or receiving workers' compensation benefits.
However, an employer may terminate employment for another reason. Other reasons for employment termination may include the following:
- Poor work performance.
- Making mistakes and missing deadlines.
- Showing up late or leaving early without permission.
It's best to consult a workers' compensation lawyer if there is a strong indication your employment was terminated in retaliation.
Contact a Workers' Compensation Attorney to Schedule Your Free Consultation
Our workers' comp attorneys can help you successfully file your claim and obtain the compensation you deserve. Our Rancho Cucamonga personal injury law firm maintains a 99% success rate and has helped workplace injury victims recover millions of dollars in compensation. In addition, our legal team has experience representing injured workers and filing workers' compensation claims.
We want you to be able to focus on your recovery and family during this challenging period. Additionally, our workers' compensation lawyer works on a contingency fee basis. This means we don't charge you any upfront legal fees for legal representation. So, if you were hurt on the job in the Inland Empire, don't hesitate to contact our workers' compensation attorney. Call our law office to schedule your free consultation today.