A catastrophic injury can impact your personal and psychological well-being on every level, and this type of accident could also impact your ability to work now or in the future. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney from Glauber Berenson Vego could explain your available legal options when you have been injured at work.
You do not have to go through the legal process on your own. Let our Downey workplace catastrophic injury lawyers advocate for your rights and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Catastrophic injuries are typically classified as physical harm that results in permanent or debilitating impairment to one or more areas of the body. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
Injuries that result in the loss of a sense, such as hearing or eyesight, can be deemed catastrophic. Severe burns, the loss of a limb, and serious internal injuries, such as organ damage, may also fall into this category of severe physical harm. Catastrophic injuries often result from a terrible accident, such as a crushing or caught-between incident, a severe fall, or a scaffolding collapse. Motor vehicle accidents, incidents involving heavy equipment or machinery, and toxic exposure can also cause a catastrophic injury.
Any catastrophic injury can be devastating and life-changing. When these catastrophic injuries happen in the workplace, a Downey attorney could help the employee seek numerous benefits through their company’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
After a catastrophic workplace injury, getting immediate medical attention is the first order of business. Prompt medical treatment can improve recovery outcomes while serving as crucial evidence in building a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. When possible, the worker should notify their employer within the day or immediately afterward to start the claims process. It is also advisable to secure representation from a Downey attorney with expertise in handling various workplace catastrophic injury claims.
In addition to emergency care, a catastrophic injury may require one or multiple surgeries, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other forms of long-term rehabilitation. It can also permanently affect a worker’s earning power because they may be unable to hold down their job before the accident occurs or perform the full scope of duties for their profession.
Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to cover the costs of all required forms of medical care related to a catastrophic job-related injury. These benefits can also compensate the injured individual for temporary or permanent lost wages. When a catastrophic injury creates a temporary disability, workers can claim benefits accounting for around two-thirds of their gross weekly wage before the accident. That figure is subject to specific caps set by state law.
When the injury leaves a worker dealing with a permanent disability that impacts their earning capability forever, benefits may continue for life. The amount of permanent disability benefits would revolve around multiple factors, including the severity of the injury involved and the disability rating assigned to the worker.
Other benefits may be available in catastrophic injury workers’ compensation claims that a Downey attorney could explain in more depth. These could include compensation for vocational rehabilitation as well as death benefits for eligible family members when the worker dies because of their injury.
The traumatic impact of a catastrophic injury can make life intensely tricky for both you and your loved ones. A Downey workplace catastrophic injury lawyer could help you start a timely workers’ compensation claim and ensure you are not dealing with the aftermath alone.
Our legal team could work to help you get the full range of benefits you need for your medical bills, treatment, and lost wages. When you or a loved one has sustained a catastrophic injury at work, do not hesitate to reach out to our office today to find out more about securing the zealous legal representation you deserve.
