Carson Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

California enforces robust workers’ compensation statutes designed to ensure that injured workers can easily obtain the compensation and benefits they need after workplace injuries. However, some injured workers can face severe medical complications from their injuries at work. In addition, many injured workers cannot work for extended periods due to the severity of their injuries. If you or a loved one recently sustained an injury at work, you should know what to expect from the workers’ compensation system and the value an experienced Carson workers’ compensation attorney can provide to your case.

Representing Injured Workers in Carson, CA, in Workers’ Compensation Disputes

The workers’ compensation claim process might seem straightforward at first, but the reality is that many claimants face significant challenges. For example, employers are not always forthcoming with necessary materials, and some will interfere with injured employees’ claims. It’s also possible for technicalities to lead to unfair denials of valid claims or unreasonable delays that interfere with injured workers’ recoveries.

If you need to file a workers’ compensation claim in Carson, CA, an experienced Carson workers’ comp lawyer can provide detailed guidance and valuable legal support as you work toward securing the benefits you need after a workplace injury. Pratt Williams offers years of experience handling complex workers’ compensation cases on behalf of our clients in Carson, CA, and surrounding areas. We can apply this experience to your case.

Why Should I Hire a Carson Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

When you first look at the workers’ compensation claim process, you might assume that you can easily handle your claim on your own without hiring an attorney. However, the reality is that any workers’ compensation claim can be challenging to navigate, and you could encounter unexpected challenges along the way. Additionally, even if you succeed with your claim, you may struggle in your interactions with the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) or your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

Handling the legal mechanisms of a workers’ compensation claim while simultaneously managing the aftermath of a workplace injury would be incredibly demanding. Instead of making an already difficult situation even more stressful, have an experienced Carson workers’ comp lawyer manage your case. You can rely on your attorney to help you complete your claim form submission and provide the workers’ compensation insurance company with the supplemental materials they need to evaluate your claim. If you encounter any difficulties from either your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier or the DWC, our team can help you address these issues effectively. Pratt Williams will carefully evaluate every aspect of your workers’ compensation claim and help ensure that you receive appropriate compensation for your damages.

What Type of Injury Is Compensable Under the Workers’ Compensation Act?

When most people think of workplace injuries, they typically imagine acute traumatic injuries from accidents, such as head injuries, broken bones, and crushing injuries from industrial machinery and heavy equipment. However, the Workers’ Compensation Act dictates that any injury qualifies for workers’ compensation as long as the injury occurred while the victim performed their job duties. This definition applies to acute traumatic injuries from specific incidents and acquired injuries and medical conditions caused by the daily performance of job duties. Some of the most commonly reported workplace injuries in California include:

• Repetitive stress injuries. Medical conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, soft tissue injuries in the joints, and even arthritis can gradually develop over time because of job duties. If you plan to file a workers’ compensation claim because of a repetitive stress injury, you must prove that your condition developed due to your job duties.
• Back injuries. Many labor-intensive jobs are demanding on the back, and it’s possible for both acute and acquired back injuries to develop over time. For example, bending and lifting a heavy object can cause a sudden herniated disc, and back pain from repetitive stress at work can worsen over time. As a result, back injuries are among the most commonly reported workplace injuries in the US and can be highly debilitating.
• Crushing injuries. Some industries are more inherently dangerous than others. If you work with or near heavy industrial equipment, construction tools, specialized vehicles, or other dangerous objects, it’s possible for crushing injuries to occur. A crushing injury can potentially result in severe bone fractures, nerve damage, and even amputation.
• Traumatic brain injuries. Falling objects, slips and falls, and other mishaps at work can potentially cause traumatic brain injuries. Any brain injury can be unpredictable and cause a host of unexpected symptoms to the victim. Many brain injuries result in permanent disability.
• Severe cuts and lacerations. Sharp objects can cause painful cuts that may result in severe bleeding. Severe cuts often require immediate medical treatment, and the victim may face a relatively long recovery, depending on the location of the injury.
• Acquired illnesses. If your job requires you to work with or near certain harmful substances, you could develop various illnesses over time, even if you wear appropriate protective gear. Any illness acquired from work, including cancer, potentially qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the different injuries that might justify a workers’ compensation claim in California. So, if you were injured at work in any way, or if you acquired a medical condition due to performing your job duties, you likely have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim.

What Do Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Do?

If you intend to file a workers’ compensation claim in Carson, CA, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can significantly improve your experience with the process. You can rely on your attorney for several valuable legal services. They can assist you in completing your claim forms and submitting them for review, and they can also help you gather any supporting documentation you will need to submit with your claim. In addition, if your employer’s insurance carrier pushes back against your claim for any reason, or if they offer a low ball settlement that does not appropriately compensate your injury, you can rely on your legal team to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

Your Carson workers’ comp lawyer will also be an invaluable asset when it comes to securing the appropriate benefits your injury demands. Workers’ compensation insurance carriers are more likely to push back against claims pertaining to permanent disabilities and long-term medical complications simply because they are more expensive for the insurers to cover. Employers could also potentially interfere with employees’ claims, asserting that their injuries did not occur at work. This is common when employees file claims for repetitive stress injuries and acquired illnesses.

Ultimately, your workers’ compensation attorney can provide several critical legal services throughout the claim process until you secure an appropriate resolution to your claim for benefits. Depending on how your injury occurred, you may also have grounds for further legal action beyond a workers’ compensation claim.

Can I Sue for a Workplace Injury in California?

It’s common for injured workers to wonder whether they can file civil claims against their employers after sustaining injuries at work. California’s workers’ compensation laws generally shield employers from civil liability for their employees’ workplace injuries. However, this only applies when an employer carries workers’ compensation insurance. California state law requires every employer to have workers’ compensation insurance, even if the employer has just one employee. If the employer violates state law by failing to secure workers’ compensation insurance, they will face civil liability for an injury an employee sustained at work.

When you do have the option to file a workers’ compensation claim, you may still have grounds for a personal injury suit if a third party caused your workplace injury. For example, if you were making a delivery for work and a drunk driver hit your vehicle and injured you, you would not only have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim because your injury occurred while working, but you would also have grounds for a civil claim against the drunk driver.

Workers’ compensation benefits typically include medical expense coverage and repayment of lost wages while the victim recovers from their injuries. However, a third-party claim can help the injured worker recover damages they cannot obtain from the workers’ compensation system. Therefore, you can potentially recover lost wages that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover as well as compensation for your pain and suffering from a successful personal injury claim.

Experiencing any workplace injury can be distressing and frustrating. You may worry about your ability to earn income and support your household. In addition, a severe injury can pose long-term medical complications you may not know how to address appropriately. However, whatever your unique situation may entail, you will have the best chance of maximizing your recovery through a workers’ compensation claim with the right attorney on your side.

The team at Pratt Williams has extensive experience guiding clients in Carson, CA, through complex workers’ compensation claims. We know the stress and uncertainty that manifest in these situations and want to provide the guidance and support you need during a challenging time. If you are ready to file your workers’ compensation claim in Carson, we can help you ensure the best possible outcome to your claim. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.