Every day, many employees in the Thousand Palms area and throughout California suffer injuries at work. Some of these injuries result from unexpected accidents, while others may occur due to negligence or even intentional actions of others. No matter the cause of a workplace injury, every injured worker in California has the right to file for workers’ compensation if a workplace injury requires medical attention and missing work to recover.
California’s workers’ compensation system exists to provide relief to injured workers, but many claimants find that the claim filing process is less intuitive than it should be. Additionally, there is an unfortunate possibility of facing undue interference with a workers’ compensation claim. The Thousand Palms workers compensation attorneys at English, Lloyd & Armenta can provide the legal counsel you need to ensure a positive outcome from your claim.
Do I Really Need an Attorney to Settle a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
California state law requires every employer, even one with just a single employee, to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage. In an ideal world, an injured worker could expect a straightforward claims process without interference. However, the reality is that the workers’ compensation claim system can be difficult to navigate. Not every employer will be as supportive and forthcoming about workers’ compensation claim forms and other materials.
Unfortunately, some employers may attempt to delay or interfere with their employees’ legitimate claims for workers’ compensation. An employer’s workers’ compensation insurance functions like any other insurance policy; repeated claims against a policy will drive up the policyholder’s premium rate. Simply put, many employers illegally interfere with their employees’ workers’ compensation claims to save money on their insurance premiums.
While it is technically possible to settle a workers’ compensation claim on your own without an attorney, doing so presents an undeniable risk. Having an attorney assist you provides an additional layer of security over your proceedings, minimizes the chance of encountering undue pushback against your claim, and ultimately provides you with peace of mind as you navigate a difficult experience.
Why Choose English, Lloyd & Armenta?
The Thousand Palms workers’ compensation attorneys at English, Lloyd & Armenta have more than 30 years of experience assisting clients in the Coachella Valley region with difficult workers’ compensation claims. We know that a workplace injury can leave you hurt and feeling hopeless, especially if an employer or other party interferes with your claim and you do not know what to do about it.
Rest assured that when you choose English, Lloyd & Armenta as your Thousand Palms workers compensation lawyers, you have experience on your side. Our team will provide you with the compassionate and responsive legal counsel you need to handle your claim with confidence and peace of mind.
When Should I Hire an Attorney for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
If you need to file a workers’ compensation claim and would like legal assistance with the process, follow these steps.
- Report your injury to your employer immediately.
- Request the documents and forms you will need for your claim.
- Contact an experienced and reliable Thousand Palms workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible.
The sooner you secure legal representation, the easier it will ultimately be to see your claim through to a successful result.
It’s possible that you may have a straightforward experience at first and then encounter difficulties later with your claim, or you could encounter issues as soon as you report your injury and request your workers’ compensation claim forms. In either case, reach out to a Thousand Palms workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you encounter any uncertainty or concern about your workers’ compensation claim.
It is also possible for you to file your claim without issue and then encounter a denial of benefits or a benefits determination that is lower than should reasonably be expected for your situation. It is sometimes necessary to contest a workers’ compensation denial or insufficient benefits determination, and this is where having a Thousand Palms workers’ compensation attorney on your side becomes a major asset.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Workers’ Compensation Lawsuit?
If you need to challenge a workers’ compensation determination, your Thousand Palms workers’ compensation lawyer will review key elements of your claim. We will review all correspondence with the California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Workers’ Compensation to assess whether your situation merits further legal action.
Challenging a workers’ compensation claim determination can be incredibly difficult without legal representation. It may be necessary to challenge the disability determination of a workers’ compensation physician to ensure you receive the benefits you need to account for your medical expenses and the time you miss from work as you recover. A workers’ compensation settlement could take several months or even more than one year to reach a conclusion. Choosing the right Thousand Palms workers’ compensation attorney to represent you will greatly expedite this process.
Stalled Serious
Injury Cases
We specialize in reviving and closing stalled workers’ comp cases on your behalf.
Workers’
Compensation
We work hard to get you the proper medical care and full benefits you deserve.