Norwalk Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Experiencing an injury at work can create tremendous stress and uncertainty for the injured worker and their family. Some workplace injuries can prevent the victim from working for an extended period until they fully recuperate. Other injuries cause permanent damage that results in disabilities, potentially preventing victims from working in the future. If you or a loved one recently suffered an injury at work, you likely have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Depending on how the injury occurred, you may also have grounds for a civil claim against the party responsible for causing your injury.

Legal Counsel for Norwalk, CA, Workers’ Compensation Claims

Unfortunately, many injured workers in Norwalk, CA, find that while the workers’ compensation claim process may seem straightforward at first, the reality is that these claims can be arduous, complex, and vulnerable to many legal complications. Therefore, you need a Norwalk workers’ comp lawyer you can trust to guide you through the claim process.

Pratt Williams has extensive experience representing injured workers in Norwalk, CA, and surrounding areas. We understand the anxiety and distress that a workplace injury can cause for the victim and their family. In every case we accept, our goal is to maximize our client’s recovery. We can provide the ongoing support and guidance you need to confidently approach the toughest workers’ compensation claims.

Why Do I Need a Norwalk Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

You might assume that you will have minimal difficulty obtaining workers’ compensation benefits after a workplace injury, and the workers’ compensation claim process often seems straightforward at first. However, handling your claim requirements while also managing the aftermath of your injury can be highly challenging. Working with an experienced Norwalk workers’ comp lawyer will make the entire process easier and more likely to succeed in obtaining the compensation you deserve for your injury.

Unfortunately, many injured workers experience unfair pushback from their employers’ workers’ compensation insurance carriers. Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance, and dealing with insurance companies can be extremely difficult without legal counsel advising you. Many insurance companies rely on claimants’ lack of awareness of their rights to succeed in lowballing claim settlements and essentially duping claimants into accepting smaller settlements than they legally deserve. When you have Pratt Williams representing you as your Norwalk workers’ comp lawyers, we will guide you through each stage of the claim process and ensure the insurance carrier handles your claim in good faith.

Depending on how your workplace injury occurred, you may have grounds for legal action outside of the workers’ compensation system. Our firm has extensive experience in personal injury law as well as workers’ compensation cases, and we can provide ongoing legal counsel as you explore all of your options for legal recourse after a workplace injury.

How Much Do Workers Compensation Lawyers Charge in California?

California state law limits the amount attorneys can charge their clients for representation in workers’ compensation claims. As a result, most clients can expect to pay between 10% and 15% of their total case award in attorneys’ fees. Even though this may seem like a sizeable portion of the client’s total recovery, injured workers with legal counsel typically receive more than injured workers who do not have attorneys representing them, even after accounting for their legal fees.

Pratt Williams offers legal counsel for workers’ compensation claims on a contingency fee basis. This means our firm will take a percentage of your case award as our fee, but only after winning your case. If we are unable to secure a recovery on your behalf, you pay us nothing, and there are no upfront costs for our legal services.

Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Norwalk, CA

The workers’ compensation claim process is relatively straightforward in theory and challenging in practice. The process begins when the injured worker reports their injury to their employer, which they should do as soon as possible after the injury occurs. Technically, there is a 30-day window in which an injured worker can file their workers’ compensation claim after their injury occurs, but it is always best to start the process as soon as possible.

Your Norwalk workers’ comp lawyer can assist you in completing your claim forms. You must provide the insurance carrier with a detailed description of how your injury occurred and submit to a medical examination from one of their local approved physicians. The workers’ compensation doctor will examine you and assign a disability rating based on how severe your injury is and whether you are likely to face long-term or permanent complications.

The workers’ compensation insurance carrier will review your claim and deliver a benefits determination. Having an experienced Norwalk workers’ comp lawyer handling your case will significantly increase your chances of securing the maximum benefits possible from your employer’s insurance policy.

How Are Workers’ Compensation Claim Benefits Awarded?

Injured workers can typically expect to receive two types of compensation from their workers’ comp claims. First, the insurance carrier will cover the cost of all medical treatment the claimant requires to heal entirely and manage their symptoms. This may involve ongoing rehabilitation, physical therapy, and multiple surgeries. Workers’ compensation can also cover the cost of prescription medications and medical devices the claimant needs after their initial treatment.

Second, workers’ compensation can provide disability benefits based on the severity of the claimant’s injury and whether they cannot work due to their injury. Disability benefits are generally paid on a temporary or permanent basis. First, however, it’s essential to understand what these variations entail. When an injured worker qualifies for temporary disability benefits, these benefits can be paid for up to 104 weeks. The worker may opt to have these benefits spread out over five years if necessary for their unique situation. Permanent disability benefits are not permanent and will typically continue for no longer than 14 years. However, these benefits are only available to workers who suffer catastrophic injuries that cause permanent disabilities or workers who cannot train for alternative work in a reasonable time.

Workers’ comp can potentially provide death benefits if a worker dies from an injury sustained at work. These death benefits will be paid to their surviving family or other beneficiaries. When it comes to the amount paid in disability benefits, weekly payments usually equal about two-thirds of the claimant’s average weekly wages. Death benefit determinations hinge on the number of dependents the deceased left behind after their fatal work injury.

Can I Sue for a Workplace Injury in California?

Some injured workers may have grounds to pursue civil claims outside of and in addition to their workers’ compensation claims. While workers’ compensation can provide more immediate relief from financial hardship caused by a workplace injury and cover the cost of medical treatment the claimant requires, a civil claim can potentially help the injured worker recover compensation for damages not covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.

Typically, California’s workers’ compensation laws prevent injured workers from suing their employers for workplace injuries. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if an employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance as required by law, they would not only face liability for an injured worker’s damages but also face legal penalties from the state. In addition, if an employer or co-worker intentionally harmed a worker, the injured worker would have grounds for a civil action for this intentional tort.

Some of the most common civil actions filed with workers’ compensation claims are third-party claims. If you are injured while working due to the actions of a third party outside of your workplace, you have the right to seek accountability with a third-party personal injury claim. Like most other personal injury claims, the plaintiff has the right to seek compensation for all damages caused by the defendant’s actions. In addition, workers’ compensation claims can provide coverage of medical expenses and a portion of lost income during recovery. Therefore, when an injured worker can file a third-party claim in addition to their workers’ compensation claim, they can potentially recover the remainder of their lost income as well as compensation for their pain and suffering, which workers’ compensation insurance generally does not cover.

When you choose Pratt Williams to represent you as your Norwalk workers’ comp attorneys, we will carefully review how your injury occurred, whether your employer handled your claim appropriately, and ensure the workers’ compensation insurance carrier processes your claim in good faith. Our team has years of experience handling a wide range of complex workers’ comp cases for Norwalk, CA, clients, and we are prepared to handle whatever unique legal challenges your case may present.

In every case we accept, our goal is to maximize our client’s recovery to the fullest extent possible. We understand that your workplace injury has likely imposed various complications on you and your family’s everyday life and that the recovery process can be more challenging than many injured workers expect. However, the sooner you secure legal counsel you can trust, the sooner you can begin working toward securing the recovery you deserve. If you are ready to discuss your case with an experienced and compassionate Norwalk workers’ comp lawyer, contact Pratt Williams today and schedule your consultation with our team.