If you suffered one or more injuries while on the job, you should know your rights as granted by the California Workers’ Compensation Act. Learning about your rights is just one reason to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Let’s look at six additional reasons why a workers’ compensation attorney can help you receive just compensation.
- Skilled Negotiator in Your Corner
- Prevent Your Employer from Retaliating
- Ensure the Correct Wording of the Settlement
- Presenting the Most Persuasive Evidence
- No Upfront Costs
- In-Depth Knowledge
One of the most difficult challenges of representing yourself in a workers’ comp case is interacting with the employer’s insurance company. The team of lawyers representing the insurer has handled hundreds of cases, while this is probably the first time you have participated in the workers’ compensation process. A California-licensed attorney possesses the level of negotiating skills to ensure you receive full compensation for your workplace injuries.
Some employers do not like to see their insurance rates rise because of a workplace injury. Instead of agreeing to a fair settlement, they implement harassing and intimidating tactics to retaliate against an employee who filed a claim. By hiring a workers’ comp attorney, you let your employer know that you cannot be intimidated into dropping the claim.
Not many workers’ compensation claimants understand the negative consequences of a poorly worded settlement. For example, the wording of a settlement can limit the amount of money a worker can seek from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Having an experienced lawyer by your side ensures the settlement reached does not include any concealed clauses that prevent you from receiving benefits from either Medicaid or Medicare.
You might have an outstanding employment record and several co-workers witnessed the workplace incident the caused your injuries. Does this mean you have a slam dunk case to receive workers’ compensation benefits? The answer is no because you have to present physical evidence about what caused the injury, as well as medical records that document the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of your injury. A workers’ comp lawyer can help you present the most convincing physical evidence.
Most workers’ compensation attorneys offer a free initial consultation to determine the best course of legal action. If a lawyer decides to take your case, you do not have to pay anything until you win your claim. Referred to as a contingency fee payment arrangement, your attorney does not get paid unless you get paid. This type of setup gives workers’ compensation attorneys more incentive to push hard for their clients’ rights.
For years, worker’s compensation laws favored employees because the laws intended to avoid expensive and time-consuming litigation. Then, the legal pendulum swung to the side of employers by giving them more power to deny claims. The judge in a civil lawsuit involving a workers’ comp claim cannot give you any legal advice, especially when it comes to the fairness of the settlement. A California workers’ compensation attorney possesses specialized knowledge to get you the best possible settlement.
California’s workers’ compensation laws are some of the most worker-friendly laws in the United States. Nonetheless, you should consult with a California-licensed lawyer to receive the just compensation that you deserve. If you need legal representation because of a workers’ compensation claim or you simply want answers to a few questions, contact the PLBH Law Firm by submitting the short online form or by calling our office at (800) 435-7542.