How Long Does a Workers’ Compensation Case Take in California?

One moment, you are working on the job, maybe typing at your computer, operating a forklift in a warehouse, or taking care of an ill patient, and then it happens. Whether by accident or through an act of negligence or recklessness, you suffer an injury. Work-related injuries can come in many forms, and you can be entitled to obtaining benefits through workers’ compensation. You may wonder, “How long does a workers’ compensation case take in California?”

In California, all employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you are injured on the job, you are entitled to obtain benefits under this insurance coverage. However, some employers and their insurance providers might make the process of receiving these benefits more difficult than it needs to be. This is where an attorney can prove essential to your claim. Consulting an experienced San Francisco workers compensation lawyer can help you navigate complex claims, fight denials, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. At Bridges Law Firm, we are here to help you access the benefits you need to recover.

Compensation Available in a Workers’ Compensation Case

When you are injured on the job, you are entitled to receive compensation for the time you need to take off work in order to recover from your injuries. In California, depending on the severity of your injury and how it affects your ability to work, there are several forms of compensation or benefits you may be able to receive from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. These benefits can include the following:

• Medical costs and care. These costs are paid through your employer’s insurance and can help you recover from the injury or illness you have suffered due to your employment. This can include doctor visits and any other necessary treatment services, such as tests, medications, equipment, hospitalizations, and travel costs.
• Temporary disability benefits. These payments can assist you if you lose out on wages due to the fact that your injury or work-related illness causes you to become unable to perform the necessary duties of your job for a certain amount of time as you recover.
• Permanent disability benefits. These payments can come into effect if you become unable to return to any kind of work and your injury or illness causes the permanent loss of specific physical or mental functions.
• Death benefits. If an individual is killed on the job or due to a work-related illness, the spouse, children, or other dependents of the deceased person can seek death benefits. These benefits can include the lost wages of the deceased and any medical care the deceased received before they died as it pertains to their work-related injury or illness.
• Supplemental job displacement benefits. If you are unable to return to your current mode of employment, you may be able to receive a voucher that can help pay for retraining or new job training in order to seek new kinds of employment once you recover from your injury or illness.

What to Do After Suffering a Work Injury

If you suffer an injury while on the job, there are a few steps that will prove necessary for receiving workers’ compensation benefits. If these steps are not followed, this could cause your case to take longer than it needs to, or it could make it so that you can lose out on your chances of receiving compensation altogether. If you get hurt at work, take the following actions:

• Report the injury or illness to your supervisor or employer.
• Seek emergency treatment.
• Fill out an official workers’ compensation claim with your employer.
• Receive medical care.
• Hire an attorney.

Factors That Can Impact the Timeline of a Workers’ Compensation Claim

It can be difficult to offer an exact timeline for a workers’ compensation claim as there are many factors that can influence how long it takes your case to reach an ending.  Variables that can cause your claim to be prolonged can include the following:

• The nature and severity of your injury
• Any disputes that may arise regarding the claim
• The involvement of any third parties in the case
• How quickly you were able to file your claim
• If you have an attorney on your side

FAQs About San Francisco,CA Workers’ Compensation Law

How Can I Maximize My Workers’ Compensation Settlement in California?

In California, there are certain actions you may be able to take in order to maximize the amount of benefits you receive in a workers’ compensation claim. These actions include making your employer aware of your injury right away, seeking medical care as soon as possible, collecting copies of all your medical records and doctor’s notes, understanding your disability rating, and retaining an attorney.

Is Workers’ Compensation Taxable in California?

No, in California, workers’ compensation is considered non-taxable income by both the state and federal governments. This means that you are able to keep all of your payments rather than having to return some of them to the government through taxes. There may be some specific cases where taxes will come into play, and your attorney can guide you through these rare occurrences.

How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

When you suffer an injury at work, your employer is required by law to give you or mail you a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form one day after you report your injury or after they officially learn about it. You must use this form to request benefits. If your employer does not give you this form, you can get one from a workers’ comp Information and Assistance officer.

How Much Does a Workers’ Comp Lawyer Charge in California?

It can be difficult to offer an exact number as to how much a workers’ compensation lawyer might charge in California. This is due to the fact that each attorney is different, and so is the way in which they structure their fees. However, there are variables that can affect the final cost analysis, including the duration and complexity of a case and the skill level of your lawyer.

Speak With a Compassionate Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a workplace accident in California and have not received the benefits you are entitled to or have had your benefits denied, now is the time to contact the team at Bridges Law Firm. Our attorneys hail from Mexico, El Salvador, the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Costa Rica and are fluent in several dialects of Spanish. You can trust us to handle your claim. Reach out to our offices today to schedule your free consultation.