What You Should Know About Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

If you’ve been hurt on the job, you probably have a lot of questions about your rights. And since your employer is looking out for their best interests, it’s time for you to protect yourself.

Consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney at Grossman Law Offices is the right first step to ensure that you’re treated fairly and that you understand the scope of benefits and compensation you may be entitled to receive. Our compassion and expertise will reduce the stress of the legal process to allow you to focus your energy on recovery. You’re at the right place to learn what to expect (and demand) from a workers’ compensation lawyer. 

About Grossman Law

Our lawyers have handled many workers’ compensation cases over the years (as well as personal injury, defective products, car accidents, and farming accidents). We’re prepared to assist you in both English and Spanish. Most importantly, at Grossman Law, you usually won’t be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses and you don’t pay anything unless you win your case. 

You’ll find that Grossman Law Offices do things differently than many law firms. Other law offices typically try to move you through the process as rapidly as they can, without offering you the patient, caring assistance you need and deserve. But the workers’ comp lawyers at Grossman consider clients as real humans with emotions and needs, not just a case number to be filed away. This is not some gimmick—this is our true nature, as we have all lived and worked in the community for many years. 

Our offices in Woodland Hills serve the greater Los Angeles area, and the lawyers in our Fresno office serve Central Valley communities including Bakersfield, Sacramento, and even Northern California. Just ask anyone—we’ve been a devoted member of the Central Valley and Southern California communities for over 50 years. We believe in doing the right thing for you and the community, and it’s evident in every personal interaction.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation law protects both employees and employers. It offers financial and medical benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job. Technically, it’s a form of insurance program that employers pay into and helps injured workers with benefits for their medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. It also provides benefits to dependents of workers who have died due to work-related issues. For employers, it’s especially important as it limits their liability since workers generally cannot sue their employers for injuries covered by workers’ comp.

Workers’ compensation is also considered a “no-fault” insurance policy that protects both employees AND employers from financial consequences. By “no fault,” we mean that the system pays out workers’ comp benefits regardless of how the accident happened, whether or not negligence played a part or whether or not someone else caused the accident. This greatly benefits workers since they don’t have to go through the same complicated process as a tort claim, where the insurance company handling the claim wants to pay as little as possible. However, it’s essential to get legal assistance, as poorly represented workers could potentially receive a lower benefits payment than they actually deserve.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

Understanding what workers’ comp covers and how it applies to your case can be tricky. Contact a lawyer at Grossman Law Offices to make sure you receive the fullest possible benefits that you’re entitled to receive. Typically, here’s what is covered:

• Medical treatment & Hospital visits
• Medications
• Rehabilitation
• Wage replacement & supplemental job displacement benefits
• Death benefits for dependents
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Temporary partial & total disability benefits
• Permanent partial & total disability benefits

How Long Can You Be on Workers’ Compensation?

Generally, your workers’ compensation benefits last as long as treatment is necessary—however, that can fluctuate based on the nature of the injury and other factors. 

Wage replacement benefits often have a specified time limit or continue until you can return to work, reach maximum medical improvement, or in some cases, for life, depending on the severity of the injury. Permanent disability benefits might last for a certain period or for your entire lifetime. As you can imagine, this is a nuanced, complex issue that is best handled by an experienced lawyer.

Can You Still Work While on Workers’ Compensation?

In some cases, it’s possible to still work while receiving workers’ comp, depending on the injury and the type of benefits being received. If you can perform light or partial duties that are approved by a healthcare professional, you may return to work and still get partial benefits to make up the difference. 

What Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Do?

Our workers’ compensation lawyers at Grossman Law Offices help you understand every step of the process and help you get the benefits you deserve. They will take the time to fully understand your situation, assess the details, and expertly determine the maximum benefits you can receive.

When to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

You should consider consulting with a workers’ comp lawyer as soon as possible after a work-related injury or illness. The sooner you contact us, the better we’ll be able to help you properly examine your case and begin the necessary processes to get you the benefits you are due.

Common Injuries That Qualify

A variety of injuries can be covered by workers’ comp (although other injuries may also be included), such as:

• Slips, Trips, and Falls:
  • Falls from heights
  • Slipping on wet or uneven surfaces
• Cuts and Lacerations:
  • Accidents with tools or machinery
  • Contact with sharp objects or surfaces
• Cumulative injuries or repetitive stress injuries such as:
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Back problems
  • Tendonitis
  • Hearing loss
  • Respiratory conditions
• Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Knee injuries
• Traumatic amputation
• Loss of vision
• Occupational illnesses, which can be caused by:
  • Diseases/contamination
  • Hazardous or toxic chemicals and substances

• Muscle Strains and Sprains:
  • Lifting heavy objects incorrectly
  • Repetitive strain injuries from continuous movements
• Burn Injuries:
  • Exposure to hot surfaces or substances
  • Chemical burns
• Electrical Injuries:
  • Shocks or burns from electrical equipment
• Struck-by or Caught-in/Between Objects:
  • Being hit by falling objects
  • Getting caught in machinery
• Motor Vehicle Accidents:
  • Work-related accidents while driving for work purposes
• Injuries During Work-Related Travel:
  • Accidents that occur while on a business trip

Who is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?

Almost any type of worker is eligible for workers’ compensation. Below is a list of typical types of workers, but you should contact Grossman Law Offices to get exact information about your situation.

• Teachers
• Office workers
• Paramedics and other first responders
• Hospital staff
• Factory workers
• Mechanics
• Landscapers
• Restaurant staff
• Retail employeesConstruction workers
• Police officers
• Firefighters

Do Undocumented Workers Qualify For Workers’ Compensation?

In California, undocumented workers do qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, understanding all the details and nuances of this assessment can be tricky for most people. Luckily, the lawyers at Grossman Law Offices have handled many cases for undocumented workers and immigrants—plus, we speak both Spanish and English, so we can handle your case in a way that makes you feel understood and appreciated. In fact, we even have extensive experience handling farming accidents, which can be a common occurrence in the Central Valley area.

Free In-Person Consultation

At Grossman Law Offices, our workers’ comp lawyers are ready to help you with a free in-person case evaluation at any time. We have built a solid and trustworthy reputation over 50 years as a respected member of the Central Valley and Southern California communities. We can assist you throughout this difficult experience with compassion, patience, and unrivaled expertise. If you prefer, we’d be happy to meet with you by phone or video conference. Contact us today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable, experienced lawyer.