California Workers' Compensation Act

Navigating the California State Workers' Compensation Act

California Workers’ compensation act covers employees who sustain injuries or illness while performing their work-related duties. In California, this law was implemented in 1910 and has been a no-fault system. This indicates that the workers are not obliged to prove illness or injuries were caused due to the fault of others to recover compensation.

However, proving that the injuries or illness is work-related can be challenging, mainly because the employer's insurance company gets involved. Getting assistance from the best workers' compensation attorney in Los Angeles, California is crucial before you file a claim.

The Law Office of Andrea R. Herman has a team of dedicated workers’ compensation lawyers who are well-versed in the guidelines and laws in California. Our best workers' compensation attorney in Los Angeles, CA, can help you create a strong claim by gathering evidence and proving the injuries are work-related, ensuring you get the appropriate compensation.

What is California State Workers' Compensation Act?

This is a no-fault act for illness or injuries related to employment, whether they are disabling conditions or specific diseases or injuries. All employers in California are required to offer workers' compensation benefits to their employees.

Under the labor code section of Californian law, all businesses with more than one employee must provide coverage for workers' compensation. The coverage also covers part-time employees.

Eligibility of California State Workers' Compensation Act Benefits

If you are injured at work or suffer from an illness caused by work conditions, you might be entitled to the benefits of the California Workers' compensation act. The employer or their insurance company offers these benefits to the injured workers. All employers in California, with some exceptions, are obligated to provide workers' compensation act.

In order to be eligible for this compensation, you could sustain injuries or disease at work or while performing work-related activities. You might suffer from:

  • A one-time event at work, like sustaining chemical burns, getting injuries in a slip and fall accident, or getting involved in a car accident when making deliveries.
  • Prolonged exposure, like experiencing hearing problems due to continuous loud noises at work, hurting your back, hand, or other body part making repetitive motions.

This act also provides coverage for injuries or conditions that are stress-related. However, this is harder to prove in many cases. The workers' compensation might not cover injuries or diseases reported after the employee has been laid off or notified of the termination. 

Available Benefits for California Workers' Compensation

The five major benefits offered to injured workers through workers' compensation in California are as follows:

  • Medical Expenses: The cost of medical care for your injuries or illness is paid by the employer or their insurance company. This includes doctor visits, travel costs, surgery, medicines, tests, and other reasonable expenses.
  • Temporary Disability Benefits: Compensation is provided for lost wages due to missed work because of work-related injuries.
  • Permanent Disability Benefits: Compensation is provided for loss of wages in case work-related injuries result in permanent mental or physical issues.
  • Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits: The expenses for skill enhancement or retraining when you receive permanent disability benefits.
  • Death Benefits: Compensation is provided to your spouse and dependents if work-related injuries result in your death.

When should you apply for California State Workers' Compensation?

It is crucial to instantly report work-related injuries to your employer when you get injured. In case of a disease, you must notify the employer as soon as you discover the condition might be connected to your job. Here are the steps you must take:

  • Inquire about the claim form from your employer
  • Complete the fields that are applicable to you and sign the form
  • The employer will fill out the remaining form

In case the employer refuses to provide you with the claim form, then you must consult a workers' compensation lawyer. If you have recovered certain benefits through this act, but the condition worsens, you can re-open the case to increase the number of benefits.

Statute of Limitation

According to the California state workers' compensation act, you must alert your employer about your workplace injury within 30 days. In case you need to re-open the case due to your conditioning worsening, you can do so within five years of the date you sustain the injuries.  

Failing to follow the statute of limitation means you won't be entitled to file a claim for workers' compensation.

Consequences for Employers Not Offering California State Workers' Compensation

Employers who neglect to provide their employees with California state workers' compensation are in violation of the labor code. This means that a stop order can be issued against the employer by the Labor Standards Enforcement Division.

The stop order results in the immediate closing of the business operations until the employer purchases the workers' compensation insurance. Additionally, the employer might also be fined.

It is vital for employers to understand that not providing workers' compensation coverage is considered a criminal offense. This can lead to one or both of the following punishments:

  • Jail time for up to a year
  • A penalty or fine that is double the cost of workers' compensation premium.

If the employer isn't insured and an employee gets ill or injured due to work, the employer must cover all the treatment expenses. The injured worker also has the right to filling a civil action claim on top of the workers' compensation claim against the employer.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Workers’ Compensation Claim

Even the most minor error in the claim can result in a loss of benefits. Here are some commonly made mistakes that you should avoid when filing a workers' compensation claim:

  • Failing to file the report within the statute of limitation
  • Making mistakes in the claim form
  • Not selecting your preferred health providers
  • Neglecting to follow the recommended treatment
  • Accepting the first offer of settlement without consulting a lawyer
  • Neglecting to appeal denied treatment and care

The workers’ compensation claim can be a complex process, which is why hiring the best workers' compensation attorney is integral.

Consult a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA

Work-related injuries might cause severe problems, from confusion, pain, depression, disability, and financial constraints. California state workers’ compensation law can provide financial relief by providing you with compensation for the injuries sustained. Consult the Law Office of Andrea R. Herman to ensure you receive the proper guidance when filing the workers’ compensation claim. Our best workers' compensation attorney ensures you recover the maximum benefits for your sufferings.

We are here to offer help with any workers’ compensation issues YOU may have

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