Injuries occur “on-the-clock” more often than you may think. In fact, every seven seconds, someone suffers from a workplace injury, according to the National Safety Council. When you’re injured, no matter the severity, you may be entitled to compensation.
If you live in Long Beach, California, you may search “personal injury attorneys in my area,” but that won’t give you a lawyer that is best suited for your situation. Workers’ compensation attorneys are your safest bet to reaching a favorable result and higher settlements compared to attorneys that solely practice personal injury law. But why?
Personal Injury vs. Workers’ Compensation in California
On one hand, personal injury attorneys can help you with injuries received in a multitude of situations involving negligence, such as a car accident. They have the tools and resources needed to reach out to the negligent driver’s insurance company (or whoever was at fault for your injury). They may also represent you in court if the other party believes they aren’t at fault and shouldn’t be held responsible for your damages.
On the other hand, workers’ compensation attorneys in Long Beach and beyond have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies to ensure injured workers receive all they are entitled to under California’s workers’ compensation laws.
Workers’ Compensation Claims & Damages
Claims filed for your injury on the job (or while you were performing work tasks off-site) are different than general personal injury claims. First of all, it is mandatory for all California employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for situations like yours.
Second, fault doesn’t necessarily determine who will have to pay for your injury. In other words, if you failed to mop up a wet spot and slip, you still may receive compensation.
Benefits you can recover workers’ compensation claim include temporary disability payment, permanent disability payment, medical treatment, and medical leave reimbursement.
Damages that are not available for workplace injuries include pain & suffering and punitive damages.
Are Personal Injury & Workers’ Compensation Claims Mutually Exclusive?
No! There are a few instances where a personal injury claim should be filed after you have been injured at work.
If you’re not sure whether to file a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim, our attorneys can evaluate your case and guide you in the right direction.
How An Attorney Can Help You
At the Pratt Law Corporation, we have helped countless clients in Long Beach and its surrounding areas through the process of filing workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits. If you’re in need of an Orange County workers’ compensation attorney, contact us at our office on the corner of Queens Way and W Ocean Boulevard.
We proudly serve Southern California, including the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, and Ventura, along with Northern California.
Schedule a consultation with us now by calling or filling out the form below.
