Gold Country Workers’ Comp Center

January 21, 2020

3 Facts To Know Before Hiring A Workers Compensation Lawyer Rough and Ready

Have you been injured at work and now considering whether or not to hire a workers compensation lawyer near Auburn, CA? Any employees that sustain an injury at work should understand how vital workers’ compensation attorneys are for protecting their rights through each step of the claims process.

Laws and regulations relating to California workers’ compensation law are complex and complicated, especially for inexperienced people. Qualified California workers compensation lawyers will be able to take the necessary steps that protect your rights to the full amount of compensation you deserve.

If you’re considering hiring a workers compensation lawyer near Auburn, review three facts to keep in mind below. To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced workers’ comp attorney committed to providing you the legal assistance you deserve, contact Gold Country Workers Comp Center today.

Remember, EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS!

3 Important Facts About California Workers’ Compensation

#1. California law presumes EVERYONE is an employee and not an independent contractor. Every employer is required to provide workers’ comp coverage

Under recent changes to California law, EVERY worker is presumed to be an employee and NOT an independent contractor. If an employer claims an injured worker was an independent contractor, not an employee (and therefore not subject to Workers Compensation claims) the employer bears the burden of proof, and under the new law, it is very difficult to prove an injured workers was not an employee.

Every employer must provide employees with workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured at work. However, not every employer is required to have workers’ comp insurance.

Certain employers will apply to the state to be exempt from carrying workers’ comp insurance, but only if they can prove they are financially capable of covering benefits themselves. Similarly, many government employers use tax or other resources to cover benefits instead of workers’ comp insurance.

Employers that do not provide employees with full comp benefits are in violation of the law and can be subject to direct lawsuits from the injured employee and very stiff penalties. If you are uncertain whether or not your employer owes you benefits, consult your Auburn workers compensation lawyer to discuss your situation in more detail.

#2. Workers’ comp cases do not require you to prove your employer was at fault.

Proving someone else was at fault is a key component in personal injury cases. For workers’ compensation cases, this is not the case.

Workers’ comp laws do not require proof of fault in an attempt to make it easier for injured workers to receive proper medical treatment and fair benefits. Injured workers are only required to provide proof of an injury and that the injury was sustained while at or due to work. Because Workers’ Compensation is a “no-fault” system, even if you caused your own injury, you are entitled to full Workers’ Comp benefits.

#3. California workers’ comp attorneys can only charge contingency fees.

Any workers compensation lawyer near Auburn or elsewhere in California is not legally allowed to charge flat or hourly fees for workers’ comp cases. They are only allowed to charge clients based on contingency fees, which means a percentage of the total amount a client is awarded by a judge will be used to pay attorney fees.

In the event your case does not result in a successful resolution, your attorney receives nothing. To ensure a successful outcome, it is vital to hire an experienced workers’ comp lawyer who has proven success in similar cases.

The sooner you speak with a workers’ compensation attorney, the better your case’s chances will be successful. EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS! Contact Gold Country Comp Center at 530-362-7188 to schedule a free case consultation soon.

Workers Compensation Lawyer Rough and Ready

January 3, 2020

Workers Comp Injury And Compensation

Are you considering filing a workers comp injury claim but unsure where to start? A work-related injury can cause an incredible amount of personal and financial stress on you and your family. This is in addition to the challenging road that is medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Workers’ compensation is a very helpful entitlement program that is widely used. The program can best be understood as a series of benefits that assist employees following a work-related injury or illness. An injury or illness can be caused by a specific incident or could be the result of cumulative trauma (suffered little-by-little over the course of time).

A workers’ comp attorney can assist you through the process of filing your workers’ comp injury claim. They offer a number of additional services that can mean the difference between receiving the benefits you are entitled to and having your claim undervalued or denied.

Continue reading to learn more about worker’s compensation and how a workers comp lawyer can assist you. If you would like to learn more or wish to schedule a free case consultation with a California workers compensation attorney, please contact Gold Country Workers Comp Center today for help.

How Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Handled

All employers are required by law to provide benefits to their employees in the event of a work-related injury or illness. Generally, employers will pay into a workers’ comp insurance policy offered by an insurance company. Since most employers have workers’ compensation insurance, the insurance company is the party you will be dealing with during the workers’ comp claims process.

Not only does the workers’ comp claims process pose a number of challenges for employees, but the insurance company can also act aggressively to withhold the full benefits you are entitled to. Although many workers attempt to navigate the claims process themselves it unfortunately usually results in a denied or substantially undervalued claim.

You do not have to navigate the process or deal with the insurance companies yourself. One of the most important advantages of hiring a workers comp injury attorney is the experienced consultation and representation they provide. And the attorney’s fee is contingent on the amount of the recovery. You NEVER have to pay for anything to have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney fully prosecute your claim

Filing A Workers’ Comp Claim

Filing a workers compensation claim requires that a number of strict regulations are followed. Failing to do so will result in a denied or undervalued claim. Workers’ comp claims are most commonly denied because of missed deadlines and incomplete documentation. A workers’ comp injury attorney can assist you by gathering all the proper documentation and meeting all the filing requirements.

Employees should remember that every state has its own unique laws and workers comp regulations that must be followed. Unless the employer is so rich it can afford to pay all expected injury claims out-of-pocket, the employer does not pay for the benefits. Instead, the workers’ comp insurance provider is responsible for compensation.

Hire A Workers Comp Injury Attorney

If you have been in a work-related accident or have contracted a related illness, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced workers comp injury attorney will stand by you every step of the way through the claims process.

If you would like to discuss your workers’ comp claim please call Gold Country Comp Center at 530-362-7188.

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Workers Comp Injury

December 23, 2019February 6, 2020

When You Should Hire A Truckee Workers Comp Attorney?

Hiring a workers comp attorney in Truckee can offer you a number of important advantages when filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you were recently injured at work, you may be considering hiring a workers’ comp attorney.

In some cases, if the injuries you sustained at work are minor, either calling only for first aid or you make a complete and total recovery and return to work for which they fully compensate you for your time off, you may be able to represent yourself or may not even need representation. However, even in situations that seem relatively straightforward, it is still recommended that you consult with a workers’ comp attorney.

Experienced workers comp attorneys can discuss your claim with you, explain the process, give you honest advice, and keep you alert of potential challenges. Speaking with a workers’ comp lawyer early on can also improve the chances of your claim being approved.

If you are interested in scheduling a FREE consultation with a Truckee workers comp attorney, please contact Gold Country Workers’ Comp Center or call 530-362-7188 for assistance.

Who Would Benefit From A Workers Compensation Lawyer?

Some work-related injuries can be so severe that they permanently alter your quality of life. A Truckee workers comp attorney can help get you the right healthcare treatment and receive benefits that you are entitled to.

A severe injury can include permanent impairment caused by a work-related accident or a change in your ability to work. Below are some statements that can help you determine if you should hire a workers comp attorney to assist with your claim.

The work-related injuries require surgery.
Your employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance.
The injuries are severe enough that a doctor concluded your health and ability to function will not return to the same condition prior to the work-related injury, especially if you can’t return to your pre-injury work.
The insurance company denied your claim.
You feel you are not receiving the appropriate healthcare treatment or benefits.
You are unable to work on a regular basis.
You would rather have an expert assist you with the workers’ compensation claims process.

Hiring A Truckee Workers Comp Attorney

If any of the above statements are true then you should immediately contact a workers comp lawyer with proven experience and success. The California workers’ comp lawyers at Gold Country Comp Center can assist you through every step of the claims process.

If you have recently suffered a work-related injury, don’t wait until it’s too late to reach out for legal representation. EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS! Contact Gold Country today to schedule a free case consultation with a workers comp attorney Truckee residents can depend on.

Truckee Workers Comp Attorney

November 27, 2019December 19, 2019

Hire A Workplace Accident Attorney To Help With Your Claim

Have you been injured at work and begun looking into California workers’ compensation benefits? It’s highly recommended to consider hiring a workplace accident attorney. The time following a work-related injury can be extremely stressful and the workers’ comp process is difficult to navigate on your own.

California workers’ comp lawyers work to ensure you receive the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to. They can also provide a number of other services essential for a successful claim.

Continue reading to learn why it is important to hire a workers compensation lawyer if you have suffered a work-related injury. If you have any further questions or would like to schedule a consultation with an experienced workers compensation attorney by phone or in person (in Nevada County) please contact Gold Country Workers Comp Center today.

What To Do After A Workplace Accident

All work-related injuries should be quickly reported to your manager or supervisor. They will provide documents that need to be filled out. This paperwork will require that you detail how the accident occurred. If your injury was cared for without seeing a doctor on a first-aid basis, you should still report the injury in writing, but you need not file a formal workers’ compensation claim.

It is important that you be as detailed as possible. If the injury was serious and requires further medical care or more than 3 days off of work, there is a good chance that you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation varies from state to state. It is a form of insurance paid into by employers to cover the expenses of workplace injuries. The number and amount of benefits that you are entitled to depend on various factors including the severity of the injury, medical expenses, amount of lost wages, and others.

Hiring A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

A workplace accident attorney, or workers compensation lawyer, is an attorney that has been educated in the field of workers’ compensation law. They use their experience and dedication to ensure their clients’ rights are protected during the workers’ comp claim process.

Workers’ compensation lawyers represent you throughout each phase of the complex process up until you receive your benefits, and on an ongoing basis for benefits provided over time, such as medical care. They will also provide invaluable counsel following a work-related injury to ensure you are as prepared as possible to deal with the insurance company adjuster.

Assist In Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

Many workers will opt to navigate the workers’ compensation claim process on their own. Unfortunately, most of these claims will be denied because of incomplete documentation, missed deadlines, and incorrect information.

One of the services that workers compensation lawyers offer their clients is expert assistance filing their claims. This guidance is often vital for securing a successful outcome.

Deal With The Insurance Companies For You

As previously mentioned, insurance companies are responsible for granting workers comp benefits. Insurance companies are known to work aggressively to protect their bottom line and ensure that they do not have to pay the full amount they would otherwise have to pay.

A workplace accident attorney will deal directly with the insurance companies on your behalf. This includes speaking their team of lawyers, discussing settlement offers, and sharing all pertinent information with the injured worker.

Represent You In Court Proceedings

In the event that a settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company, the claim can be brought to court. Workers’ comp court is similar to other court proceedings with some differences.

A workers’ comp attorney is experienced in court proceedings of this kind. They can file motions, present evidence, and help you file an appeal. Appeals are common, but extremely difficult to win without sufficient legal representation.

Hire A Workplace Accident Attorney in California

If you would like professional legal experience to help you through the workers’ compensation claim process, you can count on Gold Country Comp Center. We offer our clients from Nevada County and elsewhere over forty five years of legal experience in workers’ compensation and disability/social security.

Contact Gold Country today or call 530-362-7188 to find out how we can help you get the benefits you are entitled to.

Workplace Accident Attorney

October 31, 2019November 1, 2019

What You Should Know About Workers Compensation Benefits California

Workers’ compensation benefits in California help workers of all kinds in countless ways. Workers’ compensation is a legal imperative for businesses and is designed to provide employees who get injured or sick due to work-related activities with compensation in various forms.

According to the law, workers’ compensation benefits are due, are owed and are paid regardless of who is at fault for the cause of the injury. However, due to the no-fault basis for liability, workers give up the right to sue their employer over work-related injuries or illness for the regular damages otherwise available to an injured person who is suing another party for negligently causing an injury.

Learn more about the various workers’ compensation benefits in California available to workers who experience injuries or illnesses due to work. If you are ready to file a claim or need assistance getting the benefits you deserve, contact Gold Country Comp Center to schedule a free consultation with our California workers comp lawyers.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits in California

It is the primary responsibility of a business to sign up for workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp insurance is where the payments to injured workers come from, unless the employer is so big that the State has allowed it to be self-insured for Workers’ Compensation purposes.

After experiencing an injury or symptoms of an illness, the afflicted worker must file a workers’ compensation claim with the insurance company. However, filing a claim and getting benefits isn’t a simple process. So what sort of workers compensation benefits in California are actually available?

Medical Care and Mileage

Medical care is provided is provided through networks of providers as is usually the case with private medical insurance coverage. Although California law allows the insurance carriers’ “in-house” doctors to in essence veto medical decisions and prescriptions your treater wants to provide, medical care with no deductible or co-pay is provided. Mileage, bridge tolls and parking for travel to and from the doctor, the pharmacy, physical therapy etc. is also paid as part of the medical care benefit.

Permanent Disability

For workers who become permanently injured in some way, there are either permanent disability benefits to cover ongoing medical costs long-term or a negotiated option to take a lump sum financial settlement. How much the lump sum settlement is for will vary based on a variety of factors, including the nature of the injury and how long the employee is incapable of working.

While taking a lump sum settlement can seem more appealing at first, it’s important to remember that the total amount of compensation should be able to cover ongoing medical costs as well as lost wages. For this reason, it’s always best to consult with an experienced disability attorney to gain a better understanding of all the options available. Additionally, insurance carriers will usually insist on a waiver of the right to future medical care, for which they will pay extra.

Temporary Disability

For workers who experience an injury or illness that only affects them temporarily, or until the effects of the injury have stabilized and is deemed unlikely to substantially change in the next year, temporary disability benefits are available. Temporary disability benefits are different from permanent disability benefits in a few key ways.

Generally, injured workers will receive 2/3 of their average wage loss during the period they are unable to work and suffer a wage loss. These benefits are only payable for a maximum of 104 weeks within 5 years of the injury date. Obviously, if you return to work, temporary disability ends unless you continue to experience a wage loss, which still entitles you to 2/3 of that loss. It’s also important to note that temporary disability benefits are tax-free. Still, the only way to ensure an injured worker receives the maximum amount of California workers’ compensation benefits available to them is to seek out counsel from a qualified and experienced workers’ comp attorney.

Vocational Rehabilitation:

Another part of the benefit package a seriously injured worker may be entitled to is the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit, commonly referred to as the “voucher.” It is a certificate that is like a limited use credit card valued at $6,000 that can be spent on courses approved by the California Dept. of Workers’ Compensation. All “brick and mortar” programs must be inside the State. The approved list includes colleges, universities, vocational training programs and on-line training. If a computer is needed, up to $1000 can be reimbursed upon documenting the need per the applicable rules. Also, once the voucher is sent to the appropriate State office, California will send the voucher holder a check for $5000.

The entire Workers’ Compensation process is complicated, and most everyone should consult with a specialist soon after being injured. Many attorneys, such as those at the Gold Country Workers’ Comp Center offer a free consultation.

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