With 70+ years of extensive experience, our firm is one of the leading workers’ comp law firms in California. If you are injured at your workplace, our most reputable Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney at Koszdin, Fields & Sherry can help. We have been helping injured workers in Southern California since 1955 for workers comp or workman comp. We have 2 offices in the United States for your convenience. Reach out for a free consultation at 323-375-5642.
Injured on the job is a stressful and painful situation in your life. It also creates a financial burden if your work’s compensation benefits are denied. In this situation, discuss with our certified workers’ compensation lawyer. We represent you in your case on a contingency fee basis.
Certified by The State Bar of California Board as a Specialist in Workers’ Comp Laws
Your partner with you in your fight for compensation and protect your rights. Our legal team recovered millions of dollars for injured workers and clients and helped them receive the compensation they deserve. With over 100 years of combined experience, our LA workers’ compensation lawyers are here to help you every step of the fight. You will pay $0 to Koszdin, Fields & Sherry if you do not receive the compensation you deserve.
Los Angeles Workers Compensation Lawyer Fight for Your Rights
Our firm has successfully represented hundreds of injured workers throughout Los Angeles, securing compensation and medical benefits for them. If you’ve suffered an injury at work, promptly hiring the best Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney is crucial. Securing legal representation greatly enhances your chances of successfully navigating your claim.
At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry, we are experienced in litigating workers’ compensation cases throughout Los Angeles and nearby cities. Our workers’ compensation attorney in Los Angeles specializes in assisting individuals whose work-related injuries have impacted their ability to work. With dedicated expertise in this field, we ensure that you and your loved ones receive the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
SOURCE: Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, 2022 Oregon
Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Summary (September 2021)
California Workers’ Compensation Laws
California laws ensure that employees who are injured or disabled at work receive financial assistance. This assistance aims to help them with the financial difficulties caused by their pain and suffering. The money provided helps to cover expenses and support them during their recovery.
After an employee gets injured at work, they should hire a lawyer. The lawyer will help them with the paperwork for their compensation. The process can be complicated, so having a skilled lawyer is important. The lawyer will guide the employee through the process.
Some of the most common types of benefits covered by California’s workers’ compensation laws include:
- Medical care – This includes hospital bills, doctor visits, tests, medical equipment, X-rays, or any other possible treatment.
- Temporary disability – When someone can’t work for up to 104 weeks. Some victims may qualify for this and need time off work. During that time, you will receive temporary benefits.
- Permanent disability – Some people may need more time to recover due to their long-term physical or mental condition. Depending on the severity of their disability, they may qualify for permanent disability benefits.
The Most Common Work Injuries in Los Angeles, CA
The BLS reported 2.8 million workplace injuries and illnesses in the US in the latest data. This includes non-fatal incidents. The report covers a single year. While not all of these injuries were severe, many resulted in employees missing time from work.
Work injuries can be severe in some cases. We have extensive experience in assisting clients who sustain injuries on the job.
- Severe sprains and strains
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Open head wounds
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Respiratory illnesses
- Occupational cancers
- Hearing and vision loss
- Emotional and psychological trauma
Our team assists workers who have experienced a range of repetitive stress injuries. These injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and hand and wrist injuries. These injuries typically occur over time in the workplace due to sub-optimal working conditions and inadequate equipment. Many workers in our area can also sustain repetitive motion injuries to their neck, back, knee, and hips.
Our Los Angeles workers comp attorney helps clients with heart and blood vessel injuries from work. They also assist those with lung problems and disabilities caused by dangerous work conditions. Many of these injuries are more complicated to prove because they develop over extended periods.
While they may be more challenging to prove, that does not mean that they are any less severe. Repetitive stress injuries and chronic health conditions can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform their work duties.
Workers’ Comp in Los Angeles For Your Injury
Here’s a summary of compensation for workplace accidents in California:
Medical Bills Covered: All medical care related to the injury, including doctor visits, therapy, surgery, and medication.
Income Replacement: Temporary disability payments if you can’t work while recovering.
Long-Term Support: Permanent disability benefits for lasting limitations from the injury.
Job Retraining: Help with retraining for a new job if your injury prevents you from doing your old one.
Benefits for Dependents: Financial support for those who rely on your income if the accident is fatal.
Cost of Workers Comp Attorney in LA
At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry, injured workers may struggle financially. Injured people may have extra medical bills on top of their usual expenses like rent and groceries.
Affording a lawyer in these situations may seem impossible. That’s why our workers compensation attorney Los Angeles handles these cases on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement means our clients do not have to pay any upfront or out-of-pocket expenses for their cases. We only charge legal fees after successfully obtaining the compensation our clients require.
Time Limits for Filing a Los Angeles Workers’ Comp Claim
Generally, a worker who sustains an injury should report the incident to their employer as soon as possible. You have 30 days to notify your employer of a workplace injury. Failure to do so could result in you being unable to receive benefits.
Notifying your employer is not the same thing as actually filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you are injured at work, you must file a claim within one year from the date of the injury. Suppose a third party is responsible for your workplace injury.
If you are hurt, you can sue the person responsible for more money than workers’ comp allows. This is called a personal injury law. The time limit for filing a lawsuit against a negligent third party is two years from the date the injury occurred. A personal injury attorney can help in this matter.
2022 Workers’ Comp Claims Reports by Region and County
Trading Partners send First Reports of Injury (FROIs) to the Workers’ Compensation Information System (WCIS). These reports include location details of California workers’ compensation claims. The EDD in California updated the Local Area Unemployment Statistics on June 16, 2023. They then added this information to the Labor Market Information.
| CALIFORNIA COUNTY | 2022 FROI | 2022 Employment (EDD)* | Percent FROIs | Percent Employment (EDD) | Rate of Injury to Employment per 100 employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | 645,409 | 18,443,400 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3.5 |
| LOS ANGELES | 163,875 | 4,728,500 | 25.40% | 25.6% | 3.5 |
| ORANGE | 51,976 | 1,543,500 | 8.10% | 8.4% | 3.4 |
| SAN DIEGO | 48,854 | 1,539,600 | 7.60% | 8.3% | 3.2 |
| SAN BERNARDINO | 43,764 | 956,200 | 6.80% | 5.2% | 4.6 |
| RIVERSIDE | 36,944 | 1,091,600 | 5.70% | 5.9% | 3.4 |
| ALAMEDA | 27,508 | 797,100 | 4.30% | 4.3% | 3.5 |
| SANTA CLARA | 26,020 | 1,452,000 | 4% | 7.9% | 1.8 |
| SACRAMENTO | 23,677 | 702,600 | 3.70% | 3.8% | 3.4 |
| FRESNO | 19,368 | 430,700 | 3% | 2.3% | 4.5 |
| SAN JOAQUIN | 15,287 | 331,100 | 2.40% | 1.8% | 4.6 |
SOURCE:Workers’ Compensation Information System (WCIS) 2022 Database
What should a Worker Do After a Workplace Accident in Los Angeles?
Taking specific steps in the immediate aftermath of a workplace accident can dramatically improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation benefits. These steps include:
Reporting the Incident
If it’s not an emergency, immediately inform your supervisor or the highest-ranking team member about any workplace accident. If you cannot handle the situation, it is important to communicate the incident promptly. Reporting workplace accidents as soon as possible ensures proper handling and documentation.
Depending on where you were injured, security cameras monitoring the area might have caught footage of your accident. Ask your supervisor or the property owner if this is the case. If it is, please request to not delete the footage. You should have a witness to confirm that you requested in case someone denies it later.
Identifying Witnesses
Determine which of your coworkers might have witnessed your accident and make a list of their names. Find witnesses who are not coworkers, like customers, and get their names and contact information.
Documenting the Scene of the Accident
Take pictures of the conditions at the scene of the accident. You don’t have to prove someone was at fault to get workers’ compensation in California. But it’s a good idea to document the accident scene if it shows someone else was careless.
You may be able to sue a third party for additional compensation if they are involved in your injuries. This is in addition to what you receive from workers’ comp. Suing the person at fault can help you get more money for your injuries.
Seeing a Doctor
Avoid delaying medical treatment after experiencing a workplace accident. You must see a doctor immediately, even if you do not believe you have been injured. Your injuries will only worsen if you do not receive treatment right away. You need to see a doctor to confirm that no immediate care is necessary.
You must also understand the role that seeing a doctor can play in your Los Angeles workers’ compensation case. Your employer’s insurance company may not pay you if you don’t see a doctor on the day of your workplace injury. They might say there is no proof that your injuries are related to the accident. If you went to the doctor after your accident, you can prove that the accident caused your injuries.
Contact a Los Angeles Workers’ Compensation Law Firm
Your employer’s insurance may try to deny your workers’ compensation claim, which should not come as a shock. Insurance companies are businesses. The insurance company’s goal is to avoid paying you whenever possible.
If an insurer cannot deny your claim, they will still attempt to settle for as little money as possible. You should have a good Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyer to help you get more money for your injuries. They can refuse bad offers and prove your losses to get you more money.
FAQS: Workers’ Compensation Cases
In California, Yes, you can sue even if you accept workers compensation. However, the 3 types of lawsuits you can file are limited. You can sue for intentional torts by your employees, third-party liability, and civil penalties if specific laws were broken.
If you settle a workers comp claim in California. You can file a claim first, and then you can be treated for medical treatment. You can negotiate with the insurance company. Mainly, 2 types of settlements typically come in two forms: Stipulated Award, which is regular payment, and Compromise and Release, which is a lump sum payment, which means you get all the money from the settlement at once, in a single payment. If you need a top workers comp lawyer, meet Koszdin, Fields & Sherry in Los Angeles for your rights.
The contingency fee that workers’ compensation attorneys charge in California is usually 10% to 15% of your settlement or award. Workers comp lawyers only get paid if you win your case.
If you’re a California Worker, you have many important rights to receive compensation benefits if you suffer from an incident. These benefits include medical treatment, permanent and temporary disability benefits, wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation. Also, you have to receive death benefits if workers die during their work. That’s it. Your rights are protected by law if you file a workers’ compensation claim.
This is illegal in California. Your company can’t fire you if you plan to file workers’ compensation claims. If you’re fired for this reason, you can file against this in the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).
If you feel you received unfair treatment, our Koszdin, Fields & Sherry team can help you understand your rights and explore legal options.
No, workers compensation employees do not receive full pay if they’re injured at work. The amount they receive will depend on their injury, but generally, about two-thirds of the average weekly wage is received by employees, up to a maximum limit.
In Suburb Los Angeles, Koszdin, Fields & Sherry is the best law firm specializing in workers’ compensation cases throughout California.
Free Consultation With Los Angeles Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you get hurt at work, you should seek medical help immediately and document your injuries. Some symptoms may not show up immediately, so it’s crucial to keep track of everything.
Contact our legal team today for a free attorney consultation to guide you through the workers’ compensation claim process. We will help you meet important deadlines. We will assist you in completing paperwork to get the money you need for medical bills and lost income. Call us at 323-375-5642 to get started.
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