The qualifications for workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Torrance are relatively simple: You must be legally classified as an employee, your injury must be work-related, and you must meet all filing deadlines, and attend all necessary medical appointments, exams, and treatments. However, getting compensation is another matter.
The process is handled by an adjuster for your employer’s insurance company at first. Appeals can then be made to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB), then the California Court of Appeal, and last, at the California Supreme Court. One of our dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys could assist you with the application or appeals process to help you get the benefits you need and deserve.
A worker who is injured at work should report their injury to their employer within 30 days to stay eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The worker must then see a doctor, either one from their employer’s medical provider network (MPN), or someone of their own choosing, if their employer has no preselected choice.
Next, the worker must file a claim with the DWC. A claims adjuster for the worker’s employer then issues a decision. If a claim is approved, the worker begins receiving benefits. A talented Torrance lawyer could help with the initial filing or the appeal or assist with gathering evidence in support of a claim to determine eligibility.
When a claim is denied, supplemental information and evidence may be necessary to provide to the WCAB. A lawyer could handle an investigation to produce such material. The investigation could involve reviewing photo and video evidence, referencing employment records and work logs, parsing witness statements and police reports, conducting new interviews, consulting with experts, reading medical reports, and researching applicable laws.
This work can be time-intensive and extremely detailed, necessitating the experience and specialized knowledge one of our Torrance lawyers could provide, especially if a workers’ compensation claim is denied. It is important to press forward to obtain benefits; more information to support a claim can be just what it takes to get it approved.
Workers’ compensation insurance in California covers a range of costs. Medical care, including doctor visits, hospital stays, tests and x-rays, physical therapy, and travel costs, is covered. Temporary disability is also provided to those who lose wages while out of work. Permanent disability is provided in cases where there is a permanent loss of function.
Supplemental job displacement or job retraining benefits are also provided, where applicable. Death benefits are available to dependents of workers who die from work-related injuries or illnesses. One of our Torrance attorneys could assist in identifying which benefits are applicable and could help with filing a claim to get them.
When you have been injured at work, it is crucial to understand your rights for workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Torrance. These claims involve more than mere paperwork, and the decision issued in a case is likely to have a major impact on your life and finances.
Contact one of our tenacious lawyers at Silberman & Lam today for assistance dealing with your claim. The initial consultation is free, and we can discuss how to move your claim forward so you can move on with your life.
