San Francisco Work Injury Lawyer

San Francisco Work Injury Attorney

Suffering a workplace injury can leave the victim feeling uncertain over their future as medical bills begin to pile up and unsure about whether or not they will be able to return to their place of employment. When these incidents occur, it is vital that you retain the legal services of a trusted San Fransisco work injury lawyer who can guide you through the complicated process of filing a claim for the compensation you deserve.

The reality is that every workplace in San Francisco has its dangers. Whether you were injured while operating a company vehicle, fell while walking into your place of employment, or were hurt while lifting or pushing heavy objects, you may be entitled to receive compensation. The attorneys at Bridges Law Firm understand that this can be a difficult time for you and your loved ones, and we want to do everything in our power to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.

The Basics of California Work Injury Law

In the state of California, all employers are required to carry workers’compensation insurance that can provide benefits to employees who have been injured at work. These benefits are often awarded without having to prove fault. You have several rights that you are entitled to exercise following a work injury in San Francisco. These rights include:

• The right to file a claim for workers’compensation
• The right to seek necessary medical treatment for your injuries
• The right to seek the legal counsel and representation of a San Francisco work injury lawyer

Why You Should Choose Bridges Law Firm as Your Work Injury Legal Team

Workplace injuries can leave an individual feeling shaken and concerned over their future. At Bridges Law Firm, we understand that this is a challenging time for all involved, and when an injury occurs at your place of work, it adds an extra layer of stress, worry, and uncertainty. Let our competent work injury lawyers fight for your rights to be upheld and ultimately work to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.

Workers’compensation claims can be tricky things to navigate, and having the assistance and support of a trusted attorney on your side can alleviate some of the stress you may feel. At Bridges Law Firm, our attorneys have many years of experience and offer a diverse set of services, including the ability to assist individuals with Spanish-speaking backgrounds. No claim or case is too small or unimportant. Let us fight for you.

Damages To Recover in a Workers’ Compensation Claim

There are several damages you may be entitled to in a workers’compensation claim in the state of California. These damages are typically dependent on the nature and severity of your injury and how the injury affects your ability to work. These damages typically include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• The loss of future earning ability
• Temporary disability
• Permanent disability
• Additional training expenses for a new job if you cannot continue your current work

The work injury attorneys at Bridges Law Firm can review the details of your workplace accident and help determine what damages you may be entitled to join your worker’s compensation claim. Allow them to evaluate your case and determine the right course of legal action for you to take.

Common Causes of Accidents Resulting in Work Injuries

There can be several causes for accidents in the workplace that ultimately end in a victim becoming injured. These accidents can simply occur due to unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances but can also happen as a result of negligence or wrongful doing.

Your attorney will review these details and determine the cause of your accident. In many cases, the most common causes for accidents occurring in the workplace can include:

• Lifting Heavy Objects: If any employee’s job requires hard, manual labor such as lifting heavy objects, they might find themselves more prone to strains, sprains, or muscle tears. This is especially prevalent in warehouse settings. While these injuries do not typically cause a threat to the victim’s life, they can cause chronic pain conditions which make it difficult to continue this line of work.
• Violence Occurring in the Workplace: Unfortunately, violence can occur anywhere, including in your place of work. Employers should take the necessary steps to stay proactive and resolve conflicts that do take place, and reduce overall violence in their business or company. They also should implement certain safety measures and educate employees in cases of an active shooter.
• Slips, Trips, or Falls: Torn or ripped carpet, slippery floors, or broken stairs can all cause you to suffer a trip, slip, or fall at the workplace. The injuries incurred by these types of accidents typically range from minor cuts and bruises to serious back or neck injuries that can leave a victim suffering permanent damage.
• Hazardous Substances or Other Material: Some workplace environments ask their employees to handle dangerous chemicals or other substances. In situations where these chemicals are incorrectly handled or stored, victims can suffer devastating injuries or even death. Unfortunately, many workers are not given the necessary protective equipment to perform these jobs, which can leave them vulnerable to serious harm.
• Repetitive Stress: Some jobs require employees to do repetitive actions such as lifting or pushing objects, typing, assembling objects, or manufacturing products. These actions can lead to muscle stress and strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and other chronic conditions.

It is important to keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive and that there are plenty of other causes of workplace accidents in San Francisco. These causes might also be the fault of a negligent party. In these cases, it is imperative that the work injury lawyers at Bridges Law Firm examine your case in order to determine the correct course of action to take.

Common Types of Workplace Injuries

Because there are so many different risks that one can face in the workplace, there are several different types of injuries that one could face. At Bridges Law Firm, we understand how demanding, hard, physical labor jobs often are and that the risk for injuries taking place in these jobs is higher than average. Common injuries that can take place at work include the following:

• Injuries to the shoulder
• Neck, back, or head injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts, bruises, or other lacerations
• Injuries to your wrists, arms, or hands
• Injuries due to repetitive motions, such as lifting or pushing objects
• Traumatic brain injuries such as concussions
• Spine injuries that could result in paralysis
• Burns from fires, electrical shock, explosions, or exposure to dangerous chemicals
• Poisoning from chemicals
• Cancer or other work-related illnesses
• Loss of limbs
• Death

You might also find yourself suffering from multiple injuries as many accidents can lead to a multitude of damages incurred. It is also important to keep in mind that if you leave a single injury untreated, it can result in that injury becoming more serious and causing further damage to your body and overall health and well-being.

What to Do If You Are Injured at Work

When you suffer an injury at work, there are several steps that you should take to ensure your chances of qualifying to receiveworkers’compensation. These actions can have a profound impact on the future of any claim you might decide to file. If you are injured at your San Francisco place of work, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Do Not Return to Work: Even if you do not feel hurt or injured, it is wise to stop working after suffering a workplace accident. You might be suffering an invisible injury or run the risk that you will make your injury worse if you continue working. Returning to work might also affect your ability to receive maximum compensation in a future claim, as it could be viewed as though your injuries are not that severe.
• Seek Medical Attention: Instead, seek medical attention even if you do not feel like you are in pain or severely injured. Again, you might be suffering a hidden condition that only a medical professional will be able to decipher. Also, seeing a medical professional following your workplace accident can create a record that might be necessary when it comes time to file for compensation.
• Collect and Preserve Evidence: If you are physically able to do so, you should document your accident by collecting certain forms of evidence. This could include any medical records along with photographs or videos of the scene of an accident and any resulting injuries or property damage.
• Notify Your Employer: You will then want to notify your employer. If you do not report your accident and resulting injuries to your employer within 30 days, you run the risk of losing your chance to receive the necessary compensation. Your employer is required to supply you with the forms necessary to file a workers’compensation claim with their insurance company. It is important, however, that you avoid going into too much detail.
• Do Not Admit to Fault: During this process, you should not admit to fault or discuss who is at fault for your accident. Likewise, try to avoid making any kind of statement, written or otherwise, on the cause, fault, or nature of the accident until you speak to your attorney.
• Reach Out to a Work Injury Lawyer: The sooner you are able to contact an attorney, the better your chances are of receiving maximum compensation for your injuries. An attorney from Bridges Law Firm can sit down with you and review the details of your accident in order to determine the right course of action to take in your workers’ compensation claim.
• File a Claim: You will then file your claim with the legal support and guidance of your attorney. Your attorney can ensure that all the paperwork is filled out correctly and adheres to any deadlines. Your attorney can also fight for your rights if your workers’compensation claim is denied.

FAQs

Can I Sue My Employer for Workplace Injury in California?

In the state of California, you typically cannot sue your employer for a workplace injury on top of receiving workers’compensation benefits. This is because when your employer provides you with the paperwork necessary to file for workers’ compensation, they are already admitting fault and supplying you with the means to recover damages and the necessary compensation.

How Much Do Work Injury Lawyers Charge in CA?

In the state of California, it can be difficult to offer an exact estimate of how much a work injury lawyer might charge to take on your case. This is because there can be several factors that impact the final cost of your case. These factors can include the severity of your injuries, the complexity of your case, and the experience of the attorney.

Are Undocumented Workers Covered Under Workers’ Compensation in California?

Yes, in the state of California, an undocumented worker is covered under an employer’s workers’compensation insurance. California law states that an employee is any individual who is employed in the state of California regardless of their immigration status. At Bridges Law Firm, our teamis from a multitude of countries, such as Costa Rica, the Caribbean, El Salvador, and Mexico, and can assist clients who belong to these countries of origin.

How to Find the Right Work Injury Attorney in California?

When looking for the right work injury attorney in California, there are several things to keep an eye out for. It is important that the attorney you choose has experience in work injury law. You will also want to ensure your attorney has trial experience should your workers’compensation claim proceed to litigation.

Contact an Experienced San Francisco Work Injury Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has suffered a work injury in San Francisco, you need the assistance of a trusted work injury lawyer from Bridges Law Firm. Contact us today to schedule a consultation so that we may review your case and determine the right course of action to take in any claim you may wish to file.