Workers’ Compensation Benefits You May Be Entitled To

When an employee is injured while on the job, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits; these benefits can vary depending on the circumstances, the severity of the injury, and the state, and are designed to help employees recover from their injuries and get back to work as soon as possible. In this blog, we will discuss the different types of benefits employees may be entitled to and why hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is important.

Types Of Benefits

California’s Workers’ Compensation system pays specific financial benefits to eligible employees. These include:

Medical Treatments

Workers’ compensation pays for all medical treatment and care expenses for qualifying work-related injuries and illnesses. This includes:

  • Initial medical evaluations
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Medications
  • Medical equipment

It also includes the cost of traveling to and from medical appointments. You can be reimbursed for travel costs at the current federal mileage rate.

Temporary Disability

Temporary disability benefits compensate injured workers while they are unable to return to work due to a work-related injury or illness. Temporary disability benefits equal two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage up to state-set limits. Typically, temporary disability benefits are capped at 104 weeks or 240 weeks, depending on the type of injury suffered.

Permanent Disability

Permanent disability benefits are available to workers who suffer partial or total disability due to a work-related injury or illness. To qualify, you must prove that your injury prevents you from returning to work at full capacity to a diagnosis from the American Medical Association guidelines. Permanent disability benefits are based on the worker’s disability rating, which the treating physician assigns at the point of “maximum medical improvement” (MMI).

Life Pension

Workers with an impairment rating of 70 – 99% may be eligible for life pension payments. This additional payment is provided on top of permanent disability benefits available for the remainder of the injured worker’s life. Life pension payments are rare, and you must be able to prove that you have suffered a severe, life-altering, or debilitating injury to be eligible.

Vocational Retraining

Also known as the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit, vocational retraining benefits are available to workers who cannot return to their previous employment due to a work-related injury or illness and whose employers do not offer modified or light-duty work. Vocational retraining benefits are paid in the form of a $6,000 voucher for educational courses and training at certain schools approved by the state.

Death Benefits

When a worker dies due to a job-related injury or illness, eligible surviving family members (spouses and dependents) can recover death benefits through the Workers’ Compensation system. These benefits include burial and funeral expenses up to a specified amount and compensation for lost income.

Importance Of Hiring An Experienced Attorney

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to and can also assist with filing appeals if necessary. A good attorney will also know how best to handle negotiations with insurance companies so that you can get the best possible outcome for your case.

Glendale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Injured employees should always seek legal advice before settling with an insurance company or employers regarding their workers’ compensation claim. Knowing what types of damages/benefits you are eligible for and how best to negotiate with insurers is essential in getting fair compensation for your injuries or illnesses caused by work-related activities. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can provide invaluable assistance throughout this process and ensure that victims get the justice they deserve for any workplace-related injuries or illnesses sustained by them or their family members.

Contact us today at (626) 605-2450 for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our California workers’ compensation lawyers, or fill out this short form.