Workers’ compensation is an important economic lifeline for anyone who has suffered an injury on the job in Thousand Palms. State law requires virtually every employer to have workers’ compensation insurance, and this insurance applies in different ways depending on the nature and severity of a work injury. If you work in Thousand Palms, you are more than likely covered by your employer’s insurance, and it is crucial to know how this insurance will help you recover if you ever suffer an injury at work.
Workers’ compensation generally provides two forms of benefits: medical expense coverage and temporary disability benefits. However, these benefits can be awarded in different formats to suit individual claimants’ needs. English Lloyd & Armenta has a team of experienced work injury attorneys who can help determine what type of workers’ compensation claim you need to file.
Workers’ Compensation Claims for Medical Expenses
If you suffer any injury at work, you have the right to recover your medical expenses through your employer’s insurance coverage. Many work injury claims pertain to relatively mild injuries that heal completely with appropriate care in a short time. Once you report your injury to your manager or supervisor, they will provide you with your claim forms to secure reimbursement for any medical expenses you incur for treatment of your injuries.
Workers’ Compensation Claims for Medical Expenses and Lost Income
Unfortunately, some workers suffer more complex injuries that demand ongoing treatment and more extensive recovery time, during which they may be unable to work. You may need to file a workers’ compensation claim for both medical expenses and lost income if this applies to your situation.
You will likely need to undergo a medical examination from a physician approved by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. They will give you a list of local physicians you can visit, and the workers’ compensation doctor will assign you a disability rating based on the severity of your disability. The higher your rating, the more extensive the benefits you can receive. If you disagree with the doctor’s assessment of your condition, you have the right to seek a second opinion.
Workers’ Compensation Claims for Medical Expenses and Long-Term/Permanent Injury
It’s possible for a worker to suffer a life-changing catastrophic injury that results in permanent harm. They could be left unable to return to their previous job or work at all due to the severity of their condition. The claimant in this situation would have the right to seek full compensation for their medical expenses, including the cost of any future medical care their work injury will require. Additionally, they could also qualify for long-term disability benefits.
Maximizing your compensation for this type of workers’ compensation claim requires the assistance of a seasoned attorney. When you choose English Lloyd & Armenta for legal representation in a catastrophic work injury claim, our goal is to streamline your recovery efforts as much as possible and to help maximize the benefits you receive from your employer’s insurance company. We can help compile the documentation you will need to file with your claim and guide you through the process of ensuring full benefits for lost future earning potential.
FAQs
Q: How Long Do Most Workers’ Compensation Settlements Take?
A: It’s very difficult to assign an average to the time required to complete a workers’ compensation case because every case is unique. If you have reliable legal counsel on your side and your case is straightforward, it may only take a few weeks to resolve. If your case is contested in any way, it could take several months or even longer than a year to reach a conclusion.
Q: What Is the Longest You Can Be on Workers’ Compensation?
A: Most people approved for workers’ compensation disability benefits can continue receiving these benefits for up to 104 weeks. If a claimant has suffered a traumatic brain injury, serious burn, or another severe injury, it may be increased to 240 weeks. In rare cases, workers who suffer catastrophic injuries can qualify for permanent disability benefits, but these arrangements often have a cutoff date, and insurance carriers will often attempt to resolve these cases with large lump-sum settlement offers to avoid long-term payment plans.
Q: What Employers Are Required to Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
A: The state enforces some of the strictest workers’ compensation laws in the country, requiring virtually every employer in the state to have this coverage, even if they have just one employee. It’s advisable for every worker to verify their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage at the outset of employment, and if you need to file a claim, it’s wise to consult an experienced attorney.
Q: How Much Can I Receive in Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
A: If you succeed with your workers’ compensation claim, you can typically expect to recover full repayment of your medical expenses and ongoing disability benefits for the time you are unable to work in recovery. Many variables can influence the total value of your work injury claim, and if you want to maximize your compensation, you should consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to represent your case.
Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Thousand Palms?
A: If you choose English Lloyd & Armenta to represent you in a work injury case, you will only part with a portion of your final case award as our fee. State law limits how much attorneys can charge their clients for representation in work injury claims, and our contingency fee billing system ensures that you are not left paying more for legal counsel than you win from your case.
The attorneys at English Lloyd & Armenta have years of professional experience handling a wide range of cases on behalf of injured workers in all industries. If you or a loved one recently sustained a serious injury at work in the Thousand Palms area, our team can assist you with your recovery efforts. Contact us today and schedule a consultation to learn more about the legal services we offer to injured workers in Thousand Palms.