Coachella Valley Back Injury Lawyer

English Lloyd & Armenta: Work With a Skilled Coachella Valley Back Injury Attorney

English Lloyd & Armenta is a skilled work injury firm with more than 30 years of experience. We have helped workers from a variety of industries and careers file claims through California’s workers’ compensation system and achieve the benefits they deserve.

Our attorneys work tirelessly to achieve fair outcomes for our clients, whether through workers’ compensation or pursuing additional claims against at-fault parties, when necessary. For example, in a recent case, we were able to recover $1 million for a client who suffered a lower back injury and required multiple surgeries due to a workplace accident. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

Due to our commitment to representing injured employees and our case outcomes, we have received several honors and recognitions. We have received a Superb 10.0 Avvo Rating, have been named as a Clients’ Choice attorney by Avvo, and have been named as a Top Lawyer by Palm Springs Life. However, awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.

An Overview of Work-Related Back Injuries

Back injuries can be some of the most painful injuries you can experience, as your back supports nearly every type of movement. Depending on the circumstances, an accident may damage the muscles, ligaments, discs, vertebrae, or nerves. Some examples of work-related back injuries that can happen include:

• Herniated disks. A herniated disk happens when the soft interior of your spinal disc is pushed through the outer layer, which can cause pain. In certain cases, the disk can put pressure on nerves, causing further pain, numbness, weakness, or spinal cord damage.
• Spinal fractures. Your vertebrae include some of the most important bones for your overall mobility. A fracture can result in long recovery periods and often requires extensive medical treatment or surgery to heal.
• Strains and sprains. The soft tissues in your back, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments, can be stretched or torn. This is especially common when moving heavy objects or moving quickly.
• Spinal cord injuries. Every year, there are about 18,421 new traumatic spinal cord injuries in the United States. Spinal cord injuries involve damage to the spinal cord, which can cause permanent nerve damage, pain, or even partial or complete paralysis. Paralysis is one of the most catastrophic back injuries. 41.8% of people living with paralysis are unable to work.
• Chronic back pain. Many people are left with lingering pain that does not go away despite treatment. Often, this is a sign of a deeper issue with the organs in the back.

In 2023-2024, there were 248,180 reported cases involving back injuries that resulted in days away from work. Because individuals are often forced to stop working and seek out medical care, such as at the Eisenhower Medical Center at 39000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, many are left with financial burdens due to their injury.

How Back Injuries Happen

Some injuries happen suddenly through a single, traumatic accident. However, others develop gradually after months or years of repetitive lifting, bending, twisting, or physically demanding work. No matter how suddenly your injury happened, you can recover benefits so long as you can prove that the injury is work-related.

There are many specific accidents that leave workers with devastating back injuries. Some of the most common accidents or actions include:

• Heavy lifting. Lifting heavy objects, such as equipment, boxes, construction materials, or tools, can put significant stress on your back. It is especially common for injuries to happen if you use improper technique or attempt to move an object that is too heavy.
• Repetitive motions. Repeated movements, including bending, lifting, or carrying, can gradually damage the muscles and spine. These injuries can be difficult to prove, as there isn’t one specific accident to point to. However, it is important to know that California’s back injury laws do protect your right to pursue compensation, even if you are not suffering from an acute, traumatic accident.
• Falls. Falling from a ladder, scaffold, staircase, or other elevated surface can cause serious back and spinal injuries, such as bone fractures or soft tissue damage. Even a fall from ground level can result in an injury.
• Vehicle accidents. Car, truck, and other motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common types of accidents that result in back injuries. If you were involved in a crash while at work or performing your job duties, you may be able to recover compensation.
• Being struck by or crushed by equipment. Being struck by equipment or caught between objects can lead to some of the most painful back injuries, including fractures, disc injuries, or spinal cord injuries. The risk of a serious accident is higher with heavy machinery such as forklifts or agricultural machinery.

How California’s Workers’ Compensation System Can Help You Recover

California workers’ compensation is a system where injured workers can seek benefits to help them recover from work-related injuries. Most employers are required by California’s back injury laws to provide these benefits to employees.

A workers’ compensation claim is a no-fault claim, which means that you do not have to prove that your employer or another party was responsible for causing your injuries. You must only prove that your injuries are work-related and what damages you have suffered.

The two main types of benefits that workers’ compensation can provide include medical care and lost wages. Medical care involves the cost of all reasonably necessary treatments for your injury. Depending on your injuries, this may include: 

• Emergency medical services
• Hospital stays
• surgery
• Medications
• Physical therapy

If your injury prevents you from working during your recovery, or prevents you from returning to your previous occupation at all, then workers’ compensation may be able to make up for some of your lost income. This may be through temporary disability payments, permanent disability payments, or supplemental job displacement benefits, which can help with training or educational expenses.

Key Differences Between a Workers’ Compensation and a Personal Injury Claim

Workers’ compensation and personal injury claims are different legal paths, and understanding the differences can be important after a workplace accident. Workers’ compensation is the traditional method of recovering compensation for a workplace injury; however, there can be situations where you may also need to file a personal injury claim, or only filing a personal injury claim provides the greatest advantages.

Speaking with a Coachella Valley back injury attorney can help you understand what type of claim is right for your case, which depends on how the accident happened, whether any specific party is at fault, and what damages you are suffering from. To get a general idea of the differences between these two systems, some of the key differences include:

• Liability. In a workers’ compensation claim, your employer’s insurance company covers the cost of your medical and disability benefits, regardless of who is at fault. In a personal injury claim, you must be able to prove that a specific individual or organization’s actions were reckless, negligent, or malicious, which resulted in your injury. Once this is proven, they can be held liable for your damages.
• Compensation for non-economic damages. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering and emotional trauma. Workers’ compensation does not provide benefits for these damages, but you may be able to recover compensation in a claim directly against the at-fault party.
• Compensation for additional financial losses. Workers’ compensation typically only provides compensation to cover necessary medical expenses and disability benefits, while in a personal injury claim, you can pursue compensation for any actual, measurable losses you have suffered. Additional damages may include property damage or the cost of hiring help with household duties you are no longer able to perform.
• The legal process. There are distinct differences in how these two types of claims are filed, including the filing procedure, paperwork, and deadlines. If you hire a back injury lawyer, they can make sure you stay on top of all important tasks, so as not to jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.