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Do You Have Workplace Injuries?

When you have been injured while on the job, you may have a right to file a workers’ compensation claim to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages and more. In order to get compensated for medical treatment and any missed wages, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim. Most injured workers find the process for filing a workers’ compensation claim is confusing and frustrating without the help of a knowledgeable work injury lawyer.

Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, is a well-respected law firm, representing injured workers all over California and many of California’s major labor unions. We are proud of resolving a host of cases for some of the largest monetary payouts in the state.

Let us evaluate your claim, free of charge. To schedule an appointment or simply ask a question about your case, contact Hiden, Rott & Oertle at 619-369-3323 or send us an email.

What Do I Do If I Have Been Seriously Hurt At Work?

There are so many things to consider. Where do you start? First things first. If you need immediate medical attention, here’s a line you’ve never heard before; call 911. You may not feel the full effects of your injury until hours later, so be sure to get your injuries checked out by a medical professional right away. After medical attention, you should take the following steps for filing a workers’ compensation claim:

  1. Identify witnesses: A witness can be just about anyone, from a delivery person, to someone just visiting; people that you might never see again. Write down their contact information and find out what they saw.
  2. Take photos: Photos of the accident site and anything that contributed to your injury, such as liquid on the floor, or even a panelized roof that fell on you can help. Take photos of any cuts, bruises or other injuries on your body. Your smartphone is a great tool for this.
  3. Inform your supervisor: Don’t wait to report your injury to a supervisor. The longer you take to report your injury, the more likely your employer’s insurance company is to deny your claim.
  4. Obtain a claim form: Your employer is required to provide a workers’ compensation claim form within one day of you reporting your injury. Make sure you get the form right away and fill it out. Any delay could mean delays in medical treatment and wage replacement.

Download A Workers’ Compensation Claim Form Here

You may download a claim form using this link: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/dwcform1.pdf ; you only need to fill out numbers 1 through 8. If your employer tries to complete the form for you, ask to complete it yourself, or make sure you agree with what is written before you sign it.

Do I Really Need A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer In California?

Workers’ compensation law has its own language. The paperwork for your claim will include numerous unfamiliar concepts, terms and acronyms.

For example; there are Medical Provider Networks, Primary Treating Physicians, UR, IMR, PQME, MSC, EDD, CBA, MMI, vouchers, and on and on and on.

What does all this mean? There are too many things to know, too many things to consider and too many time limits to worry about. Insurance providers revel in this complexity because it causes confusion and helps them to deny, delay and diminish an injured worker’s benefits. This is why it’s advised to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can help you with navigating your claim through the minefields of California’s workers’ compensation system. A good workers’ comp lawyer will ensure you receive the prompt medical attention that’s necessary to diagnose and treat your injury, so you can return to work as soon as you’re physically able.

How Long Is All This Going to Take?

The answer depends on several factors, like how quickly your employer accepts responsibility for your injuries, how quickly they authorize medical treatment and how quickly you recover. Cases can take six months to six years to resolve. However, most cases can be resolved within a year with the help of a competent workers’ compensation lawyer.

Our injury lawyers at Hiden, Rott & Oertle know every case is different, and each client is unique. As our client, you will have a highly competent workers’ compensation attorney, a paralegal and a legal assistant assigned to your case. We’ll also provide you with the personal cellphone number and email address of your attorney. Most lawyers think we’re crazy to provide such direct access, but we believe in communication and customer service.

Do You Still Have Questions?

We are happy to help you out with your workers’ compensation claim. Contact us online or at 619-369-3323 for a free case consultation.

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