Across the U.S., millions of people are injured each year at work. Thousands of workplace accidents result in serious injuries and even death. Employees who are injured while on the job are entitled to just compensation for their injuries.
California’s workers seem to be particularly vulnerable to accidents, injuries, and illnesses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that nearly a half-million Californians are injured annually on the job. And that’s just the reported incidents. Thousands of other job-related injuries go unreported, and in many cases, workers don’t seek legal help and end up settling their claims for less than they are worth.
Family members may be entitled to compensation for a loved one who was fatally injured while on the job. Depending on the injury, a worker may be entitled to various means of compensation. Employees who have suffered a work injury should seek the advice of an experienced on-the-job accident attorney. The lawyers at Koszdin, Fields & Sherry have the resources and knowledge required to identify and litigate all of the available claims open to an employee.
Workers’ Compensation Overview
Employees who have been injured on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation. The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) in California oversees the administration of worker’s compensation claims and provides legal services to assist in resolving disputes that arise in connection to claims involving workers’ compensation benefits.
Receiving benefit through worker’s compensation is to give an injured worker financial assistance for:
- Medical treatment needed to recover from a work-related injury or illness
- Replace wages lost while recovering (generally, only partial wages)
- Helping an injured employee return to work.
Workers’ compensation benefits will never include compensation for pain and suffering or punitive damages. To receive compensation for pain and suffering or punitive damages you will need to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Common Injuries in California’s Workplaces
There are many different ways that people can become injured or ill due to job-related causes. Among them:
- Falls, slips, and trips: On wet, icy, or oily floors or other surfaces or due to obstructions in the path of the worker. Falls from ladders are also common.
- Exposure to toxic environments: Being exposed to hazardous chemicals can affect the respiratory system, the skin, eyes, and other areas of the body.
- Muscle strains and sprains: Improper lifting, lifting heavy things without help, and various other motions can cause muscle strains and sprains, some of which can be quite serious.
- Repetitive use injuries: Assembly work and keyboarding are common causes of repetitive use injuries to the hands and wrists.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Below are the steps needed to get started and through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim:
- Report the injury or illness to your employer—report the injury or illness as soon as it happens. If you do not report your injury within 30 days, you could lose your right to receive workers’ compensation.
- Receive emergency treatment if needed—always tell the medical staff that your injury is job-related. Even if you do not need emergency treatment, go to a doctor as soon as possible to have your injuries or illness documented.
- File a claim—fill out a claim form, which starts the workers’ compensation process. Your employer is required to provide you with medical care as soon as you file a claim.
Your claim will either be accepted or denied. An attorney can help you with filing a claim, what to do if you disagree with a claim decision, and how to best resolve your case.
If your workers’ compensation claim is denied or you would like to file for pain and suffering, we can help with a private lawsuit against a third party to receive just compensation for your injuries.
Experience Matters When Choosing an On-the-Job Accident Attorney
The legal professionals with Koszdin, Fields & Sherry understand that your life revolves around your ability to earn a living. When something happens to prevent you from making money, you and your entire family suffer as a result. For this reason, it is vital that you choose an experienced on-the-job accident attorney to help you win your case against your employer and/or your employer’s insurance carrier.
An experienced Lancaster on-the-job accident attorney is an invaluable asset for injured workers. A seasoned attorney helps injured claimants not just with their workers’ compensation claims but also with claims for Social Security disability and any other claims to which the worker may be entitled. In fact, it is not uncommon for an injured worker to qualify for benefits and/or compensation from more than one source.
Contacting an On-the-Job Accident Attorney
Our legal team at Koszdin, Fields & Sherry welcome all workplace injury and illness claims. We have experience handling all workplace accident claims, from back injuries and accidents in the workplace due to repetitive motion injuries, mental stress claims, and side effects of work injuries.
We encourage you to reach out to our Lancaster on-the-job accident attorneys as early as you can in the process. We can still represent your claim if it is denied or delayed. It is important to have proper representation by your side after a workplace accident.
For a free consultation with our Lancaster on-the-job accident attorneys, call 818-812-5639 or 800-747-3447 or contact us online. Our staff is bilingual, and we can arrange interpreters for other languages. You pay no fees unless we win your case.
