You might think that a healthcare workplace would have the smoothest and easiest workers’ compensation process. After all, the industry focuses on health as a priority and has a tendency toward clear recordkeeping and protocol-heavy practices. Many healthcare workers are frustrated to find out that the process is not always as easy as expected.
If you have been hurt on the job as a healthcare worker, a Downey healthcare worker’s compensation lawyer could help you navigate the process to ensure you get full access to your benefits. Meet with our workers’ compensation attorneys today.
Almost all employees in California are protected under the no-fault workers’ compensation system, and healthcare workers are no exception. However, some healthcare workers have found it difficult to fully exercise their rights to workers’ compensation due to internal pressures and bureaucratic hurdles.
Because healthcare work environments are often short-staffed and do such important work for patients in need, many healthcare workers can feel pressure — from themselves or from their co-workers and supervisors — to push through injury and remain on the job. Healthcare workers may also be offered “light duty” accommodations during their recovery that are not actually appropriate for their needs.
It can also be a challenge to meet the various deadlines and paperwork requirements of filing a workers’ compensation claim while in such a high-pressure and fast-paced work environment. This is why it is crucial to enlist the help of a workers’ compensation attorney who has experience with healthcare worker claims in Downey.
Due to the nature of the healthcare workplace and the types of injuries a healthcare worker is likely to face, there can be some disputes that delay or even cause a denial of workers’ compensation benefits. One common dispute is whether the injury was sustained on the job. Because many healthcare worker injuries are from repetitive motion and accumulate over time, insurers may question whether the injury is actually work-related. Without a clear, specific incident, it can be more challenging to demonstrate that the injury is from work-related actions.
Delays can also happen when the incident is not reported right away and when treatment is not authorized until paperwork is fully processed. An attorney from Glauber Berenson Vego could help injured healthcare workers in Downey file a strong compensation claim and challenge any disputes on their behalf.
During a healthcare worker’s compensation claim, a Downey lawyer could provide assistance and guidance to ensure that the process goes smoothly. From the very beginning, a lawyer could help ensure that all deadlines are met and that there is thorough documentation at each stage in the process. This can help avoid delays.
If the claim is denied or an offer of reduced workload is inappropriate for the injury, a lawyer could negotiate on their client’s behalf.
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer could keep small delays from becoming big hurdles and ensure that healthcare workers get all the benefits they are entitled to receive. These may include medical treatments at no cost to the injured worker, temporary disability payments, long-term disability payments for injuries that have a lasting impact, and job retraining options if necessary.
Even if you are not sure how serious your injury is, contacting a Downey healthcare worker’s compensation lawyer early in the process could provide you with peace of mind and fewer challenges along the way. Healthcare workers spend their days looking out for others, and our team is ready to look out for you. Call now to get started.
