Workers Compensation in Long Beach, CA
Facing an injury at work can be a turning point in Long Beach. Workers’ compensation provides support and financial help. However, navigating its intricacies often requires expert guidance.
Understanding your rights and the benefits available through workers’ compensation is crucial. Experienced attorneys in Long Beach can demystify the process, ensuring you receive the care and compensation you deserve.
Start the journey to recovery and financial stability with us today. Legal support can help you focus on healing while your claim is in competent hands.
Workers Compensation Statistics in Long Beach, California
The California Department of Industrial Relations details the scale of workplace injuries in the state. For example, there were 345,830 missed days of work from non-fatal injuries from 2021 to 2022. This statistic alone highlights the importance of effective workers’ compensation policies in Long Beach.
How Does Workers Comp Work in Long Beach, California?
Unfortunately, going through the process of applying for workers’ compensation begins with getting sick or injured on the job. The circumstances surrounding the incident that led to your problems are especially crucial. For example, the injury had to occur during your regular work duties. While an event that happens during your lunch break wouldn’t apply, getting into a car accident while running an errand for your boss would qualify for a claim.
Employers in Long Beach must have workers’ compensation insurance. These policies cover your benefits and address many needs from workplace accidents. California’s workers’ compensation system also acknowledges both physical and psychological injuries. While most employees are eligible, some, like independent contractors, are exempt.
For example, say your supervisor asked you to drop something off on your lunch break. While running this errand you then get in a car accident on your way to the destination. Any resulting injury is eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if you are on your lunch break, performing no such task when you get in an accident, it does not qualify for a claim.
The steps you take immediately following a workplace incident in Long Beach, California are critical for purposes of filing a claim for compensation. Follow the following steps to preserve your rights and learn how workers comp works.
Get Medical Attention
After you get injured or feel ill, the first step is to see a doctor. Don’t delay seeking help from a Long Beach, California healthcare professional. This could not only jeopardize your health, but you run the risk of missing time-sensitive deadlines in the workers’ compensation process. Having a proper medical report detailing the extent of the damage and how it occured is the first step in the process. Your employer cannot file a claim with their insurance carrier without this information.
When dealing with a job-related illness, the symptoms and diagnosis may not happen right away. You may find yourself attending regular checkups and testing for weeks or months before a doctor finally associates your illness with your job. Your doctor may make the determination that the illness is either the result of your work conditions or aggravated by them. Once they do, see your human resources representative to file a workers’ compensation claim.
File a First Report of Injury
The first report of an on the job injury or illness will provide the workers’ compensation insurance carrier with the details of the events leading up to the injury. In this report, you will provide your physical injuries, the medical treatment you received and the facilities that provided it. It’s always a good idea to bring a copy of the doctor’s report to submit with the report of injury.
State law requires injured workers to inform their employer within 30 days of the injury. Then, you have one year to file a formal claim. This strict timeframe ensures the prompt reporting and processing of claims from Long Beach.
Timeline and Other Information
Employers and their insurance carriers have up to 90 days to investigate and decide on the claim. However, medical benefits must be available within one day after filing. For those eligible in Long Beach, temporary disability benefits can last for up to 104 weeks for the next five years. Meanwhile, permanent disability benefits vary based on the extent of the impairment.
Your employer should furnish you with information about the claims process. The adjuster or insurance carrier representative may want to speak to you at some point about the incident and any possible witnesses to the event. In the meantime, the workers’ comp insurer may begin paying medical benefits while the investigation into your claim continues.
Why You Should Hire a Long Beach, California Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
While workers’ compensation claims may be straightforward for some cases in Long Beach, California, in others, it may be more difficult. For example, your employer may decide to question whether you were hurt on the clock or your own time. It’s also common for a company to question the full extent of your injury. Hiring a Long Beachworkers’ comp lawyer ensures that you have an advocate to fight for your rights as a victim.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Long Beach, California
If you are hurt or contract an illness as a result of your job in Long Beach, California you need to find the right people to help. Since the workers’ compensation claims process can have pitfalls, you should consider getting a local attorney who knows how to avoid them.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
