In California, workers’ compensation is a system that benefits employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. According to Workers Compensation Attorney | Pisegna And Zimmerman, this system is designed to protect both employees and employers by providing medical treatment, disability benefits, and other necessary support in case of work-related injuries or illnesses.
However, sometimes, these rights are respected, and injured workers may face a workers’ compensation denial, retaliation, or discrimination. Suppose you face such issues or your case is generally complex. In that case, you should consider consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney to help you receive your rightful compensation and other workers’ benefits. Here is what you should know about how workers’ compensation functions in California:
Employer’s Responsibility & Employee’s Rights and Benefits
California law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers must provide coverage for their employees, which includes payment for medical treatment, disability benefits, and other related expenses.
Injured or ill employees can seek workers’ compensation benefits in several instances, such as when injured on the job site or while performing duties for their employer. Apart from accidents, workers can pursue worker’s compensation benefits if their work-related duties result in them contracting a disease or illness. The benefits of workers’ compensation include:
- Medical care and temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Supplemental job displacement benefits (vouchers or retraining or skill enhancement)
- Death benefits for dependants in case of fatal work-related accidents
Reporting the Injury
Work-related injuries or illnesses should be reported to the employer or manager as soon as they occur or are discovered. This is because there are specific deadlines for reporting injuries. The sooner the employer knows, the more promptly they can take action to preserve your right to workers’ compensation benefits.
Filing a Claim
After an injury is reported, an employer must provide the employee with a claim form (DWC-1) to initiate the workers’ compensation process. The worker must complete and submit this form to their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider.
Medical Treatment
In California, injured employees can receive appropriate medical treatment for work-related injuries or illnesses when their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider selects the doctor or medical provider to provide medical care. Yet, in some cases, you may be able to change physicians within the medical provider network if needed.
Disputes and Appeals
In some instances, disputes may arise during the workers’ compensation process, such as disagreements over the extent of the injury, the need for certain treatment, the amount of benefits provided, or issues regarding a worker’s pre-existing medical conditions.
If you encounter challenges or believe your claim has been wrongfully denied or delayed, you should consider seeking legal representation or consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney. An attorney can guide you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for the injuries incurred. If you have pre-existing medical conditions that were aggravated by the nature of your work, an attorney can help you receive financial support in this case as well.