WORKERS COMPENSATION

We are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers

The Law Offices of John Hill has four attorneys who work exclusively to provide legal representation to injured workers seeking workers’ compensation benefits under California law.

Two of our attorneys, Ian Cooper and Inna Bimits, are recognized as Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

You probably know that employers in California are required to provide workers compensation insurance coverage for their employees. But are you aware of the specific benefits you may be entitled to receive as an injured worker?

An injured worker in California may receive these benefits:

Replacement of Lost Wages

As an injured worker, you may receive payments for temporary disability if you cannot work because of injuries. The amount received is generally two-thirds of the average weekly wages, up to a maximum rate. Various methods are used to calculate your average weekly earnings and, depending on the method used, the result may not accurately reflect your earning potential. This could result in your receiving less money than you would otherwise be entitled to as part of your disability compensation. With the assistance of a workers’ compensation attorney you can be sure that you will receive your full disability compensation.

Medical Care

You are entitled to receive all necessary medical care for your injury. However, recent changes in the law make it much easier for an insurance company to deny treatment. In addition, an insurance company can limit an injured worker’s choice of a doctor to a group of doctors approved by the employer’s chosen insurance company. Fortunately, if you are dissatisfied with your current doctor, you still have the right to change doctors. It is important to select a doctor who is not only a good treater, but also familiar with the technical and legal reporting requirements necessary to obtain swift approval of treatment and payment of disability benefits. A workers’ compensation attorney can advise you when you can change from a company doctor and assist with selecting a new doctor. If your treatment is being denied by the insurance company, a workers’ compensation attorney can assist with hearings before the Workers Compensation Appeals Board.

Permanent Disability Awards

Many injured workers return to their regular job and also receive permanent disability benefits. "Permanent disability" in workers compensation parlance refers to the fact that you have some impairment as a result of your injury and it is unlikely that you will completely recover. The greater the severity of the injury, the greater the compensation payments. A workers compensation attorney will work with you to identify important facts that are often overlooked in order to maximize the amount of permanent disability compensation you receive.

Educational and Vocational Retraining

If you are permanently unable to return to your usual job because of the work injury, and your employer cannot accommodate you with a modified position, you may be entitled to a voucher to be used to pay for the costs of education and retraining. The dollar value of the voucher varies depending on the severity of your permanent disability. With the assistance of a workers’ compensation attorney you can be sure that you will receive the full benefit to which you are entitled.

As an injured worker, you may also have a personal injury claim for damages:

If you were injured while working due to the fault of someone other than your employer, you may have a personal injury claim for damages in addition to your claim for workers compensation benefits. Attorneys at the Law Offices of John Hill can evaluate your claim and determine whether you are entitled to seek these additional damages in addition to workers compensation benefits.

You can download a copy of this information as a PDF here