If you have been injured at work, this may be the first time you have had to deal with the California Workers’ Compensation system. That inexperience could end up costing you a lot of money. Many people who have work-related injuries don’t receive all of their workers’ compensation benefits simply because they were unaware of their rights. While you don’t have to hire a lawyer to receive workers’ compensation benefits, it can make an enormous difference in how you are treated, especially if you have a serious injury.
If you have been injured on the job in California, neither your employer nor their Workers’ Compensation Insurance carrier will represent your interests. In fact, the interests of the insurance carrier and your employer may in fact be the opposite of yours. Only you and your attorney will look out for your interests.
Most people who are injured on the job simply want to get better and return to work. However, insurance carriers often play games with people who are injured. By delaying or denying your benefits, the carrier can potentially increase its profits. The less you know about what workers’ compensation benefits are available, the more they can get away with some of these actions.
It takes years of training and experience to navigate the world of workers compensation. Your employer is required to follow the insurance company’s policies. A team of attorneys represents the insurance company and you are left to face these parties alone if you do not obtain representation. You should never have to face this process without your own legal representation.
Most workers’ compensation lawyers offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and answer your questions. You are under no obligation to hire the lawyer following this consultation. Whether you end up hiring our firm, another lawyer, or representing yourself, we encourage you to take advantage of this free consultation to learn more about your rights.