Long Beach Back Injury Lawyers

Providing Legal Counsel for Workers’ Compensation Claims for Back Injury in Long Beach, CA

Back injuries can cause excruciating pain, interfere with mobility, reduce your range of motion, or even make it impossible to move around your own home. In many cases, you may be unable to return to work for quite some time after a back injury. Fortunately, if you recently suffered a back injury at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to assist with your recovery. It is also possible to suffer a back injury from another party’s negligence, in which case you could file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for the injury. At Pratt Law Corporation, our team understands how much a back injury can interfere with your life. That is why it is our mission to provide the legal services you need to recover as fully as possible.

We understand the challenges many injured Long Beach workers face when it comes to navigating the workers’ compensation claim system. It is not always clear who is liable for a back injury, nor is it always a simple process to pursue compensation on your own.

Why Choose Pratt Law Corporation?

The Long Beach back injury attorneys at Pratt Law Corporation have decades of professional experience handling personal injury claims and workers’ compensation cases on behalf of our Long Beach, CA area clients. We know that no two claims are exactly alike, and back injuries affect each individual who experiences them in a unique way. When you need a Long Beach back injury attorney to help you with a workers’ compensation claim or take direct legal action against the party responsible for causing your back injury, we can put our experience to work for you.

Our team will take time to fully investigate every detail of your claim. We believe in providing client-focused, personalized representation, so we will also get to know you and learn as much as we can about your situation. In addition, you can rely on us to provide responsive legal counsel throughout your case—if you need updates on your claim or have questions at any time, you can reach out to your personal injury attorney. No matter what your claim entails, you can rely on Pratt Law Corporation to provide compassionate legal counsel through every step of your recovery.

Why Back Injuries Lead to Complex Workers’ Compensation Claims

Back injuries are some of the most cited workplace injuries in the California workers’ compensation system. Depending on the type of back injury you suffered, you could face years of mobility issues, chronic pain, and a diminished ability to work. It is also common for injured workers to develop long-term spinal issues from back injuries that occur at work. Unfortunately for claimants, it is not always easy to prove the full extent of a back injury and maximize workers’ compensation benefits. If you find yourself in this situation, it is natural to feel uncertain about your available options for recovery, and you may need professional assistance navigating the workers’ compensation claim system.

Some California workers suffer back injuries at work and then encounter unexpected resistance from their employers when it comes to filing for workers’ compensation benefits. Any type of spinal injury has the potential to cause severe long-term damage, so you need a reliable Long Beach back injury attorney to provide the legal guidance you need to handle employer pushback and begin your claim as soon as possible. Pratt Law Corporation can ensure you maximize your recovery through the workers’ compensation system and explore other legal remedies if your situation demands them.

Filing for Workers’ Compensation in California

California state law requires every employer to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even if an employer only has a single employee. This ensures that any individual who suffers an injury at work can file a workers’ compensation claim. If you sustained a back injury from a workplace accident, your employer has a legal obligation to provide you with the forms and materials you will need to file for workers’ compensation benefits.

On the surface, the workers’ compensation claims system may seem straightforward, but the reality is that many injured California workers have difficulty navigating their claims. Some of them encounter unexpected denials and delays that prevent them from recovering the benefits they need. Unfortunately, some injured employees also face unjust scrutiny and interference from their employers. When an injured employee files for workers’ compensation, the employer’s insurance carrier may raise the employer’s insurance premium. This in turn causes many employers to scrutinize workers’ compensation claims, and some unfortunately do not fulfill their obligations to their employees.

Beginning the workers’ compensation claim process involves submitting a form to the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), which your employer must provide to you after you report your injury. It is important to report any workplace injury immediately Any delay may cast doubt regarding the legitimacy of your claim, as the California DWC can assume that if you did not report the injury immediately, it must not be as severe as you claim. Your employer must also provide you with a list of approved local physicians you can visit for a medical examination and disability rating.

Important Things to Know About Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor

If you suffer a serious injury at work that demands immediate medical attention, you can visit any available doctor for treatment. However, once your condition is stabilized, you must see a workers’ compensation doctor on your employer’s approved list. These doctors work with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier to evaluate injured employees’ claims. The workers’ compensation doctor will conduct a medical examination to determine the extent of your injury and assign you a disability rating. This disability rating will be a crucial element of your workers’ compensation case.

The disability rating system is a sliding scale for measuring the severity of an injury. If a worker suffers a back injury that will heal in a relatively brief time with minimal long-term damage, their disability rating may be quite low. By comparison, if a worker suffers a severe back injury that results in some measure of permanent disability, their assigned disability rating will be much higher. Your disability rating will not only determine how much compensation you receive from the workers’ compensation system, but also how long your benefits payments continue.

When you visit your workers’ compensation doctor, be honest and clear about your symptoms and the severity of your injury. If you have a preexisting injury that was worsened by your recent incident, do not try to hide this fact due to fear they will deny your claim. You have the right to claim workers’ compensation benefits for both fresh injuries and accidents that exacerbate existing injuries, and it is your workers’ compensation doctor’s job to determine the scope of the effects resulting from your workplace accident.

Your workers’ compensation doctor will provide you with a medical report that includes your disability rating. You will need to submit this report to the California DWC along with your other claim forms. If you have trouble completing your submission packet or simply desire to have professional guidance during this stage of the claim process, a Long Beach back injury attorney is a wonderful resource.

Collecting Workers’ Compensation Benefits for a Back Injury

Back injuries are complex injuries that often entail a range of unpredictable symptoms. Some back injuries result in diminished range of motion and chronic pain. More severe back injuries may entail a measure of paralysis. Back injuries can also affect other parts of the body, such as the neck, shoulders, and limbs. In fact, it is possible for your back injury to cause a host of symptoms, some of which will make it exceedingly difficult for you to work until you recover.

The California workers’ compensation system provides two kinds of benefits to injured workers: coverage for their medical treatment, and weekly benefits to compensate their lost wages while they are recovering and unable to work. Injured workers can reasonably expect full coverage for any medical costs they incur from their injuries. When it comes to weekly lost-income benefits, California DWC typically limits payments to approximately two thirds of the injured employee’s average weekly wages. This means if you make about $1,000 in wages per week, you can expect about $750 in workers’ compensation benefits.

The California DWC limits workers’ compensation weekly benefits to 104 weeks (about 2 years), but it is possible to stretch these payments over a period of five years in some cases. The severity of the employee’s injury will inform the length of time they will continue receiving workers’ compensation benefits payments. If a back injury results in a permanent disability that completely prevents the injured employee from returning to work in the future, they may qualify for permanent workers’ compensation benefits.

Taking Legal Action Beyond Workers’ Compensation

In some cases, a back injury at work can lead to more than just a workers’ compensation claim. It is possible for some injured employees to pursue personal injury claims to recover from their back injuries depending on how the injuries occurred. For example, if you suffered an injury at work and your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance coverage, this is a violation of California state law and would entitle you to file a personal injury claim against your employer. It would also be possible to file a civil suit against your employer for personal injury if they deliberately caused your back injury in any way.

Some workplace back injuries result from the negligence of third parties, such as drivers or subcontractors. If you suffer a back injury while working due to the actions or negligence of a party outside of your workplace, you retain the option of filing for workers’ compensation benefits since your injury occurred at work. In addition, you could also pursue a personal injury claim against the party responsible for causing your injury if workers’ compensation does not fully cover your losses. If you find yourself in this situation, it is essential to consult a Long Beach back injury attorney to determine your best options for legal recourse available under California state law.

Personal Injury Claims for Back Injuries

Back injuries are common in many workplaces, but they can also happen in many other situations. Car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and defective products can all cause back injuries, and it is vital to know your legal options in these situations. Success with any personal injury claim hinges on the plaintiff’s ability to prove that the defendant named in the claim was negligent in some way that directly caused their damages. A personal injury claim can potentially yield compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.

If you are unsure whether you have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the party that caused your back injury, it is best to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Pratt Law Corporation can not only assist you with a workers’ compensation claim, but also help you explore further legal options for recovering from a back injury, including filing a personal injury claim. Our team will ensure you maximize your recovery, including compensation for your immediate and anticipated future medical expenses, lost income, and financial compensation for your pain and suffering.

Find Your Legal Team in Long Beach, CA Today

The injury attorneys at Pratt Law Corporation specialize in personal injury claims and workers’ compensation cases. We understand the uncertainty and financial stress you have experienced after suffering a back injury of any kind. Our goal is help you determine your best available path to recovery and then help you navigate it with confidence. If you have recently suffered any kind of back injury at work, notify your employer immediately and then contact Pratt Law Corporation to schedule a consultation with our team.

We can help you file your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim with the supporting information you need to ensure a speedy review and approval process. If your claim is denied or delayed for any reason, we can help you address this issue as well. Our team can also assist you in pursuing legal actions beyond the workers’ compensation system if necessary. If you are ready to pursue full physical, emotional, and financial recovery from the damages your back injury has caused, contact Pratt Law Corporation today to schedule your consultation with our team.