What Can I Expect from the California Workers’ Compensation Process?

At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, our Whittier workers’ compensation attorneys know if you have never suffered a work-related injury in California, you probably have no idea what to expect from the recovery process.

If you get hurt at work in California, your employer is required by law to pay for workers’ compensation benefits. This includes benefits for injuries that occur during a single event, like a slip and fall incident or machinery malfunction, or repeated exposure injuries.

California workers’ compensation benefits may include, based on the individual’s injuries, medical care, temporary disability, permanent disability, supplemental job displacement, and return-to-work supplement programs.

Before California workers are eligible for any of the potential benefits, they must complete the workers’ compensation claim process.

Here is what you can expect from the filing.

You Will Be Pursuing Benefits From Your Employer’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Provider

California employers are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance, even if they have only one employee. This means, if you are hurt at work, you will be required to pursue benefits from an insurance company.

Like all insurance companies, the provider will not simply hand over workers’ compensation benefits without proof of your injuries, and evidence that supports your need for medical care or wage replacement benefits.

This requires the injured party to:

• Alert their employer to the workplace accident, and the injuries that occurred immediately.
• Fill out the employee portion of the Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC 1) and ask for a copy once the employer has completed its portion.
• Within one day of filing a claim form, your employer must authorize appropriate medical treatment. While your employer is deciding whether to accept or reject your claim, you may receive up to $10,000 in medical treatment.
• Generally, the insurance company has 14 days to mail you a letter telling you the status of your claim.

Partnering with an experienced Los Angeles County workers’ compensation attorney can help streamline your claim, so there is little room for the insurance company to undervalue or deny your recovery needs.

Here is how.

The Benefits of Having a California Workers’ Compensation Attorney File Your Claim

It is beneficial to have a California workers’ compensation lawyer involved in your claim as soon as possible. This partnership eliminates potential errors and helps ensure you do not miss any detailed information in your initial application.

In the initial stages of the workers’ compensation process, we can help you:

• Find an approved medical provider.
• Fill out the required paperwork.
• Ensure you are following all the medical and other requirements to remain eligible for benefits.
• Develop medical evidence needed to support the severity of your injuries to get the benefits you deserve.
• Represent you at your workers’ compensation hearing, if required.

If your workers’ compensation request is denied by the insurer, our skilled legal team will appeal your case, so you have a second chance at pursuing the benefits you are entitled to for your workplace injuries.

Contact Our California Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a California workplace accident, contact our skilled workers’ compensation attorneys in Whittier at Hanning & Sacchetto today by calling (562) 698-6446 to schedule a free consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyer in Whittier for more legal assistance.