If you got hurt in a work accident or suffer from a work-related health condition, you can potentially receive a variety of benefits from your employer’s’ workers’ compensation insurance. However, the amount you receive depends on the circumstances of your specific case.
While it can be difficult to generalize how much you can expect from your workers’ compensation claim, you can consult a workers’ compensation lawyer. Your lawyer can assess your claim and inform you about any compensation you could potentially pursue.
Benefits that May Be Available to You
A serious work injury can turn your entire life upside down and has the potential to cause financial hardship for you and your family. Workers’ compensation can go a long way in helping ensure your financial security.
It can be challenging to put an amount on your claim. However, if you suffered work-related injuries, you could potentially receive a variety of benefits intended to help heal you. This can include wage replacement and medical treatment benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Wage Replacement Benefits
Under the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), you can receive income loss benefits for a temporary or permanent disability. You will typically receive income benefits until you are able to return to your job. If you are totally permanently disabled and unable to ever work again, you could potentially receive wage replacement benefits for the rest of your life. You would typically receive up to two-thirds of your gross weekly pre-tax wage up to a maximum amount.
Medical Treatment Benefits
If you get hurt on the job in California, you should receive medical benefits within one working day. This is the case even if the claims administrator has neither accepted nor denied your claim yet. However, while your claim is under investigation, the maximum amount for medical coverage will be $10,000 in California.
Once your claim is approved, you will be able to receive medical benefits until it is medically necessary or you are fully healed. Medical benefits generally also include rehabilitative treatments such as physiotherapy and chiropractor visits. However, there are some limits on the amounts of rehabilitative treatments you can receive.
Job Rehabilitation Benefits
If you are unable to return to your job or your employer is unable to employ you at a reduced capacity, you could potentially receive retraining and other vocational benefits. Typically, this will come in the form of a voucher in California. You can apply any funds to pay for job training courses, licensing fees, equipment, or other expenses related to finding a new and suitable position.
Death Benefits
If your loved one died in an accident at work, you may be able to collect certain death benefits with workers’ compensation, such as the costs for your loved one’s burial. Death benefits can also include support payments for any dependents such as spouses and minor children.
You Could Recover a Settlement
In some cases, you may be able to recover a workers’ compensation settlement for your damages. Your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance might offer you a lump-sum or a structured settlement paid out over several years.
However, you will need to consider if accepting such a settlement is in your best interest. First of all, you will need to calculate the full extent and value of your damages. You will also need to know the extent of any potential future medical treatments that you may need. Be aware that accepting a settlement means you will be giving up certain legal rights.
The process of recovering an adequate settlement can be challenging and confusing for a claimant. It can be in your best interest to work with a workers’ compensation lawyer who can advise you accordingly and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Knowing what your rights are and how much you can expect from your workers’ compensation claim is important. When you suffer from debilitating injuries, dealing with all the bureaucracy of a workers’ compensation claim can be exhausting and challenging.
However, you do not have to struggle with your claim on your own. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get what you deserve. Your lawyer can investigate your specific case and damages and inform you about your potential benefits and opportunities for a settlement. They will be able to give you an indication of what your claim may be worth.
A lawyer can assist you with:
- Gathering the evidence for your claim
- Exploring all potential avenues for compensation
- Negotiating with the workers’ compensation insurance on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit against your employer or a third-party in cases of gross negligence
- Representing you professionally if it comes to a trial
Let us help you with your claim. Get help from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation at (800) 529-9122.