Need Help With Your California Workers’ Compensation Claim?

California workers compensation law is similar to other state’s laws which provide medical benefits and lost wage compensation to California workers who sustain an injury at work while they are performing their normal job function.

Workers compensation or workman’s compensation is an insurance program created to provide immediate relief to employees without the employees having to file a personal injury claim for compensation. In exchange, California workers compensation law limits the amount of money which can be recovered from California employers.

Only work injuries or occupational diseases which are caused from the normal job requirements are covered by workers comp insurance. Work injury compensation is not provided to California workers who are injured while intoxicated, attempting to injure themselves or another employee or who are injured travelling to and from work.

There are a variety of occupational diseases and work injuries which are covered by California’s workers compensation. Some of the most common include:

• Back and neck injuries
• Abrasions and burns
• Amputations of arms or legs
• Concussions
• Heart attack or strokes on the job
• Carpel Tunnel
• Diseases caused by inhalation of chemicals or other toxins

California Worker’s Compensation Benefits

Californian workers comp insurance includes: medical benefits, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits and death benefits.

• Medical Benefits – California workers who sustain an injury at work are entitled to full medical benefits provided by their employer with no limits to time or money. The employer generally selects the first physician the employee is required to see and after 30 days the employee generally is allowed to choose their own doctor. Additional medical expenses are paid such as doctor’s visits, hospital stays and medications.
• Temporary Disability- California employees who suffer an injury at work are entitled to temporary disability payments which are 2/3 of their lost wage amount. California workers compensation outlines a maximum limit for lost wage compensation.
• Permanent Disability- California workers who suffer an injury at work and are unable to return to work are eligible for permanent disability. California workers who sustain an injury at work and can return to work but due to their work injury they can not make the same wage they could before the work injury, may be eligible for workers compensation benefits. California workers compensation will determine the amount for permanent disability based on a variety of factors including the worker’s age, occupation, work capacity and work injury date.
• Vocational Rehabilitation – California workers who suffer an injury at work and are not able to return to their job may qualify for vocational rehabilitation benefits including job retraining and job placement.
• Death benefits – Dependents of California workers who die from their work injury or occupational disease are entitled to death benefits to compensate them for the deceased worker’s lost wages. Burial expenses are also paid up to an established limit.

Do I Need a California Worker’s Compensation Attorney?

Workers compensation law can vary by state and can be complicated. Many insurance workers comp cases are settled easily and without dispute, but many are denied. Work injury lawyers can help California workers get the compensation they deserve and help fight employers and their worker comp attorneys if they are more concerned with saving money than helping the employee recover from their work injury.