Workplace accidents are common, but that does not mean that they are insignificant. On the contrary, many workplace incidents lead to painful injuries that require costly medical treatment and prevent people from earning an income. Fortunately, people hurt at work are often owed workers’ compensation benefits, and insurance premiums are paid by employers. The process of pursuing and recovering such benefits can be complicated, though, and people injured at work often wonder, “is there a workers’ compensation attorney near me that can help me file a claim?” If a worker sustained harm in a workplace accident, Joseph Richards of Law Office of Joseph Richards PC is a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer who can advise injured workers of rights and may help a worker to seek the best outcome available in a given case. Our main office is in Orange County, and we have a second office in Riverside County. We often represent employees hurt at work in the pursuit of workers’ compensation benefits throughout Southern California.
When Do I Need a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Near Me?People hurt at work do not need to hire workers’ compensation lawyers to recover benefits, but the failure to do so may adversely impact their claim if things are not done right. In California, employers must provide employees injured at work with a claim form for workers’ compensation benefits. It is important to note that only covered employees are eligible for such benefits, which means that volunteers, independent contractors, and other non-employees generally cannot get such benefits. Further, the harm suffered must occur while the employee is in the course and scope of their employment. Broadly speaking, this means they must be performing job duties or other tasks that further the employer’s business when the injury arises. There are stringent deadlines for when an employee hurt at work must notify their employer of the injury and when claims must be filed. People who attempt to handle claims on their own are often unaware of such time limitations and may inadvertently waive and be estopped from asserting their right to benefits. By searching for an “attorney near me,” a local attorney may be able to assist in a more personal way than a remote attorney in a far-away California county.
Workers’ Compensation Legal AdviceIf an employee were hurt at work, a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney could advise of what benefits may be owed. For example, a worker may be able to recover medical benefits, which cover the cost of any medical treatment needed due to injuries, including hospitalization, surgeries, and assistive devices, and the cost of traveling to and from treatment appointments. Injured employees may also be able to recover temporary or permanent disability benefits. Temporary total disability benefits are paid at a rate of two-thirds of average weekly earnings prior to injury, while temporary partial disability benefits are paid at a rate of two-thirds of lost weekly wages. Temporary disability benefits may be paid for up to 104 weeks, but they will end if disability is considered permanent or if the employee returns to work in full capacity. If an employee is determined to be permanently disabled, the employee may be granted permanent partial or total disability benefits. The amount of permanent disability benefits a worker will receive and the duration for which they will be paid depends on a permanent disability rating. In some instances, a worker may also be able to obtain training to get a job in a different field.
How to Find a Trusted Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Near MePeople who are injured at work may contemplate, “should I get a lawyer for workers’ comp, and is there a good workers’ comp lawyer near me who can help me recover benefits?” For many reasons, it is advisable for people hurt at work to hire an attorney to assist them in the pursuit of benefits. Fortunately, Joseph Richards of Law Office of Joseph Richards PC can assist people with workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Richards is a trusted workers’ compensation attorney with ample experience helping people hurt at work protect their interests. Our offices are in Orange and Riverside County, and we represent injured employees in workers’ compensation matters near Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Moreno Valley, El Centro, Corona, Temecula, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Fontana, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, and San Diego. We also regularly assist injured employees in workers’ compensation claims in other cities near Orange County and near Riverside, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. Injured workers may contact us at (888) 883-6588 or through our online form to set up an appointment for a free consultation.