Over 70% of California workers’ comp claimants file with an attorney. You should never face the court system or take on your employer without a trained legal representative. Yet many still wonder how an attorney can help your worker’s comp claim.
Opening Communication
An attorney’s presence is a powerful tool for communication. Often, if your employer or their preferred doctors are not responding to your request, fear of an attorney can spur them to action.
Employers know that dragging their feet over your workers’ comp claim is not worth the penalties your attorney can throw at them. In fact, if an employer waits too long to pay your benefits, you can receive a 25% bonus to your benefits payout.
Fighting Discrimination
It is a crime to treat a worker differently because of a workplace injury. If your employer cuts your hours, changes their attitude toward you, or cannot provide work that accommodates your injury, they have committed a crime. An attorney can help you file the appropriate charges, sometimes even criminal charges, to ensure you get the treatment you deserve.
Earning Your Justice
After an injury, your employer may offer you an out-of-court settlement. Never take a settlement without consulting your attorney. Without proper representation, you might receive far less just compensation than others with a similar injury. An experienced workers’ comp attorney knows what your injury is worth and will fight to ensure you get a fair settlement.
If your case goes beyond a settlement, you’ll want someone familiar with workers’ comp court proceedings. Either way, the message is clear: You should never take on a workers’ comp case alone. Let your attorney handle it while you rest and recover.
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a workplace accident, you might have a case. If you’d like to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced attorney from Hinden & Breslavsky, please send us an email or call 323-954-1800.