The top workers’ compensation lawyers across the country help ensure workers are fairly compensated following an injury. There is any number of professions that can cause serious injuries to those who are employed in them.
Unfortunately, as a result of a work injury, many employees are unable to perform their duties for an extended period of time. Work injuries can even result in permanent disabilities that restrict a person’s functioning for the rest of his or her life.
The following article will provide some basic information on workers’ compensation benefits and different types of disability. If you have experienced a work-related injury and are ready to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney in California about the different options available to you, contact Gold Country Comp Center today for a free case consultation.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation programs are designed to partially compensate employees who have been injured or disabled (that is, they have suffered medical impairments) that restrict them from performing activities of daily living or work-related duties. The benefits available to injured workers include temporary disability payments, partial or total permanent disability payments, coverage for medical bills, treatment related travel expenses, vocational rehabilitation (when necessary), and survivor benefits to “dependents” of an employee whose death was caused, even in only partially, by their work or by treatment for their work injury. “Dependents” are defined in the Labor Code not under tax law.
When a work injury occurs that causes employee to return to active employment in a limited capacity, there are also workers’ compensation benefits available. In such cases, workers’ compensation benefits help to ease the recovery process while an employee gets back on his or her feet both physically and financially.
Different Types of Disability
When a work injury results in disability, disability benefits come into consideration. The first determination that needs to be made is whether or not the disability is temporary or permanent. This will determine whether or not the injury incurs full or partial disability coverage.
In permanent disability cases, it can be extremely difficult to convince the workers’ compensation insurer to provide a fair settlement that will ensure the disabled worker is able to remain secure financially.
Still, it’s possible for any kind of injury to result in permanent disability. They can result from a specific injury or cumulative trauma. Some common examples of permanent disabilities include:
- Chronic neck and back injuries–sometimes an injured worker’s ability to stand and walk is impacted.
- Heart issues
- Decreased vision
- Diminished hearing capacity due to injurious exposure over many years or to a very loud event
- Physical amputations or injuries that render an extremity weakened or functionally equal to an amputation
It is also important to remember that the laws concerning workers’ compensation coverage, as well as the criteria regarding medical treatment costs, will vary from state to state. On top of that, state laws also vary on how work injuries are classified. For example, some states have provisions allowing a specific type of injury to be classified as temporary before becoming permanent.
Another classification of permanent disabilities is the ‘partial permanent disability’. Partial permanent disabilities are disabilities that limit the worker in his or her earning capacity even if the injured person continues performing some the job functions.
Find Top Workers Compensation Lawyers in California
Due to the complex nature of disability cases, it’s highly recommended to consult with the top workers’ compensation lawyers in your area. Workers’ compensation attorneys are dedicated to helping workers receive fair compensation following a work-related injury.
If you’re in the greater Lake Tahoe area and would like to speak with some of the top workers’ compensation lawyers in California about your case, reach out for help as soon as possible. EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS!
To schedule a free case consultation, please call Gold Country Workers Comp Center at 530-362-7188.
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