If you sustained a work-related injury and need enough time off work in order to fully recover, your employer is responsible to provide you compensation through workers’ comp that will replace your lost wages. There is something called “temporary disability” (TD) you can receive for up to 104 weeks in California. Permanent disability, on the other hand, will cover injuries resulting in permanent impairment. You may also qualify for Social Security Disability insurance benefits (SSDI). However, if you are still collecting workers’ comp, you will receive less SSDI.
Temporary disability
When your injuries aren’t that severe requiring you to take time off work for less than 104 days, you may qualify for temporary disability benefits. These benefits are generally easier to get than permanent benefits. However, you will need to meet some requirements first. A Los Angeles Disability Benefits Attorney can tell you if your circumstances qualify for temporary disability and help you file a successful claim. Temporary disability benefits only last for 52 weeks in California and they cover about 60% of your wages.
Permanent disability
In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits on a permanent basis, you don’t have to be unable to work. Some injuries can limit the worker’s ability to perform certain tasks so he or she can still collect some workers’ comp benefits related to the permanent disability. Workers who already recovered from work-related injuries will not qualify for these benefits. Remember that in order to prove your disability, you will have to submit your medical records. So it is important you inform your doctor of any symptoms or experiences that may require prolonged treatment.
Calculating your benefits
The type of compensation you receive depends on the type and nature of your injuries. If you have been permanently disabled, you should definitely hire a Los Angeles Disability Benefits Attorney. Your attorney can help you rate your disability properly so that you have more chances of qualifying for permanent benefits.
Disability benefits and Social Security benefits: What you need to know
You may be eligible to recover workers’ compensation benefits after being injured in an on-the-job accident. Depending on the circumstances, you might also qualify for SSDI.
Securing these benefits isn’t always an easy process. Statistically, approximately 70% of applications for SSDI benefits are initially rejected.
This isn’t meant to discourage you from seeking the benefits you believe you deserve to collect. It’s meant to encourage you to optimize your chances of recovering the benefits for which you’re eligible by enlisting the help of a qualified attorney.
At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry, our Los Angeles disability benefits lawyers can assist you throughout the application process. Our thorough understanding of the system will improve your chances of submitting an application that’s accepted from the start.
Don’t worry if you’ve already submitted an application and it’s been rejected. Although working with us from the beginning of the process is advisable when this is an option, if you’re already going through the appeals stage, you can still benefit significantly from coordinating with our Los Angeles disability benefits law firm.
Our track record of success is strong. We’ve provided effective representation to clients whose disability claims include (but are not limited to):
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones and similar orthopedic injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Mental and emotional health conditions, such as panic attacks and anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Lung conditions
- Heart disease
- Several types of cancer
That’s not an exhaustive list. If you’re unsure whether the team at our Los Angeles disability law firm can provide the assistance you require, schedule an initial consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.
Filing a Los Angeles disability benefits claim: Important information about time limits
Don’t delay if you believe you have grounds to file a disability benefits claim in Los Angeles after being harmed in a workplace injury. First, California law requires those seeking compensation to officially notify their employers of their injuries within 30 days of becoming aware of them.
An acute injury, such as a broken bone, is one you would likely become aware of the moment it’s sustained. However, there are other health issues you might not immediately know you’ve developed as a result of your employment.
For example, you may have developed a condition after being exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace. If so, you have 30 days from the time you received a diagnosis to report your condition to your employer. The California work injury claim statute of limitations also requires said claims to be filed within a year of a claimant becoming aware of their injury or illness.
This highlights another reason to seek representation from a Los Angeles disability benefits attorney. The process of completing and submitting a claim can be a time-consuming one. If you attempt to handle it yourself, you may fall behind, accidentally missing a deadline and waiving your right to compensation because of the delay. Guard against this by hiring a lawyer to complete and submit a claim on your behalf.
Negotiating your disability settlements
It is important you make an informed decision with the help of an experienced attorney. Sometimes insurance companies will not tell you about the impact a buyout will have on other benefits. In other words, they may offer to buy out your future disability benefits, which may not be beneficial in your particular situation. However, in some cases negotiating a lump-sum buyout can be beneficial, depending on how much the insurance company is willing to pay. But these are things only an experienced attorney can determine
What we can do for you
We understand disability benefits are the only chances you and your family may have to survive during your recovery. Disability is more common than you may think so it is okay and perfectly legal to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for long-term disability benefits. Don’t let one more day go by without bringing changes to your current situation. call us today and schedule a private consultation with one of our Disability Benefits Attorney in Los Angeles.
