Practice Areas

People that sustain workplace injuries often not only experience physical pain but also suffer significant financial hardships. While injured employees can typically recover workers’ compensation benefits, they may be unsure about how to collect them, and mistakes and delays during the claims process can be costly. If you were hurt at work, you have rights, and you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Joseph Richards of Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. is a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney with years of experience helping people harmed at work recover the benefits they are owed while maintaining their relationship with their employer, and if a client hires him, he will help seek a favorable outcome. We are dedicated to helping workers in Riverside and San Bernardino County and throughout California protect their interests in workers’ compensation matters. We also assist parties with understanding workers' compensation insurance rights regarding any potential overlapping personal injury, wage and hour, employment law, and social security disability claims.

Workplace injuries impact almost every profession. People who suffer harm at work can often recover benefits if they meet certain qualifications. First, pursuant to California’s workers’ compensation laws, they must be covered employees. In other words, volunteers, independent contractors, and some other workers are not eligible for benefits. Additionally, the harm sustained must be work-related. Typically, this means an injury or illness must occur while the employee is performing job duties or because of exposure to certain conditions in the workplace. It is important to note that the applicable law has an exclusivity provision, which means that employees cannot pursue civil claims for damages against their employer if the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board has exclusive jurisdiction. Injured workers may be able to seek compensation for other parties that contributed to their harm, however. Additionally, they do not need to establish the negligence of their employers to recover benefits.

If a person were hurt at work, the Law Office of Joseph Richards. P.C. can advise clients on all aspects of a case, including:

• Processing Claims

  Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. uses the most up-to-date systems and procedures to make sure our clients’ claims are processed as quickly as possible.

• Advice on Notices

  After injured employees file workers’ compensation claims, they frequently receive numerous notifications. They can quickly become overwhelmed by the notices, which can be difficult to comprehend, and their failure to absorb pertinent information can adversely impact their claims. As such, it is smart for anyone interested in filing a workers’ compensation claim to hire a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney. Joseph Richards of Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., is an experienced attorney who can help a client understand what the language in a legal notice means and advise a client of what steps a client should take next.

• Medical Benefits

  Employees that sustain harm at work are often entitled to any medical care that is reasonably necessary to relieve or cure their illness or injury. This may include hospitalization, surgery, chiropractic care, acupuncture, adaptive devices, and physical and occupational therapy. In some cases, though, employers and their insurers are reluctant to provide employees with the medical benefits they are owed or dispute the nature or extent of the treatment that is needed. In such instances, a seasoned workers’ compensation attorney can help the employees determine what measures are available to protect their rights.

• Death Benefits

  Tragically, some workplace accidents cause insurmountable injuries. While money alone cannot make up for the loss of a loved one, it can help alleviate financial concerns. Fortunately, the applicable laws provide that dependents or family members of employees who die because of work injuries or accidents can recover death benefits. Such benefits can include funeral and burial expenses, monthly payments to compensate for the employee’s lost wages, and lifetime benefits for incapacitated minor dependents.

California businesses must abide by state and federal employment laws which, in part, means that they must pay their employees fair wages. If an employer violates the law by failing to allow employees to take breaks or not calculating and paying regular and overtime compensation appropriately, an employment law attorney can help protect your rights and get you the compensation you’re owed. Wage and hour lawsuits typically involve a great deal of documentary evidence, like employment contracts, arbitration agreements, waivers, personnel files, W-2 and I-9 forms, performance reviews, and job descriptions. If you believe your employer underpaid you or infringed on your rights in another way, attorney Joseph Richards of Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. can review the evidence in your case to determine whether you may have a valid wage and hour dispute that might impact your rights to workers' compensation insurance benefits.

Many people who want to work cannot due to physical or mental impairments. In some cases, though, they may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Generally, people who previously held jobs covered by Social Security and who currently have a medical condition that will either result in death or is expected to last at least one year are eligible for benefits. While the eligibility criteria are straightforward, a large majority of claims are initially denied. Luckily, there is an appeals process, and many appeals are successful. The appellate process can be confusing and overwhelming, though, and it is advisable for anyone who wishes to seek SSDI benefits or file an appeal to request the assistance of an attorney that is experienced at navigating the process. If you believe you may have a Social Security Disability Insurance claim that overlaps with your workers' compensation insurance claim, this is something you should speak to an attorney about in a free consultation.

People who get hurt at work often worry about how they will make ends meet, but many injured employees are entitled to workers' compensation benefits that not only replace a portion of their wages but also provide them with medical care. If you sustained harm in the workplace, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Riverside workers’ compensation attorney Joseph Richards of Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. is well-versed in what it takes to achieve favorable outcomes in workers’ compensation matters, and if you hire him, he will advocate zealously on your behalf. We have offices in Santa Ana and Corona, and we represent parties in workers' compensation claims and other matters in Riverside and San Bernardino County and throughout California. You can contact us through our online form or at (888) 883-6588 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.