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Sierra Accident Lawyers
Rancho Cucamonga
Workers' Compensation Lawyer
Were You Injured in a Rancho Cucamonga Work Accident?
After sustaining an injury on the job, it’s crucial to consult with a workers’ comp attorney in Rancho Cucamonga. If you are being denied benefits to help you cover expenses like lost wages and medical treatment, it’s essential to quickly secure workers’ compensation representation. Don’t deal with your employer and their insurance company on your own.
The workers’ compensation lawyers at Sierra Accident Lawyers can help you assess the value of your workman’s comp case. Call our law firm now to schedule a free consultation.
How Does the Workers’ Compensation System Work?
The workers’ compensation system is a mandatory program established to protect employees who are injured on the job. In California, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to help aid their employees who sustained work-related injuries. The workers’ compensation system 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 kinds of difficult situations, it is crucial to seek the legal counsel of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
At Sierra Accident Lawyers, our workers’ compensation attorneys know how employers and their insurers take advantage of injured workers. We will fight to hold your employer and their insurance company responsible for your work-related injury and losses.
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 lawyers are familiar with the local legal community including local courts, judges, and opposing counsel.
At Sierra Accident Lawyers, our attorneys have been serving Rancho Cucamonga and surrounding areas in the Inland Empire for years. We highly value integrity in providing the best legal advocacy and will fight tirelessly to help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to under California law.
When Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
A workers’ comp claim can get complex, especially if your employer is delaying or denying your workman’s comp benefits. It’s best to consider hiring work injury lawyers 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 injuries limit your working capacity or prevent you from returning to work.
Most Common Workplace Accidents in Rancho Cucamonga
Common workplace accidents include:
Trips, slips, and falls
Trips, slips, and falls are a leading cause of workman's comp claims. These kinds of accidents accounted for 18% of the 1,176,340 nonfatal work injuries in 2020. Factors that may contribute to these kinds of accidents can 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. 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 performing repetitive movements or sudden motions. Overexertion is most common among workers who perform heavy lifting and manual labor outdoors for long periods of time. Short breaks are necessary because work without breaks will result in accumulated wear and tear on a person's body.
Being hit or caught in equipment or machinery
Accidents involving machinery and equipment can be especially dangerous. 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. 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 being exposed 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.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
If you sustain an injury or illness on the job, workers’ comp can provide medical benefits and can help cover other expenses related to the work accident.
Workers’ comp can help cover losses including the following:
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
- Medical care
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Permanent disability
- Temporary disability
- Supplemental job displacement
Frequently Asked Questions
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 out over a period of 104 weeks or 2 years. If you do not require the payments to be made consecutively, you can parcel them out over a period of 5 years.
What Injuries Are Not Covered by Workman’s Compensation?
- 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 an 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 claim or receiving workman’s comp. However, an employer may terminate employment for another reason. Other reasons for employment termination may include poor work performance, making mistakes and missing deadlines, and showing up late or leaving early without permission. It’s best to consult a lawyer if there is a strong indication your employment was terminated in retaliation.
Contact Us to Schedule Your Free Consultation
At Sierra Accident Lawyers, our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you successfully file your claim and obtain the compensation you deserve. Our law firm in Rancho Cucamonga, CA maintains a 99% success rate and has helped victims recover millions of dollars in compensation.
We want you to be able to focus on your recovery and family during this difficult period. Additionally, our work injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means we don’t charge any upfront costs for our legal services. If you were hurt on the job in the Inland Empire, don’t hesitate to contact our attorneys. Call us to schedule your free consultation today.
