Posted on

4 Facts To Know About Workers Compensation in El Dorado County

Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Near Me

If you are interested in hiring an attorney for workers compensation in El Dorado County and Placer County, it’s important to understand your rights. Every state has workers’ compensation laws designed to assist employees dealing with work-related injuries.   This article covers the law in California

While specific workers’ comp laws and systems vary from state to state, there are general principles applicable to them all. Here are some facts that you should know about workers’ compensation.

Facts About Workers’ Compensation

#1. Not every employer is required to have workers compensation insurance.

ALL California employers MUST provide Workers’ Compensation benefits to employees injured on the job.  It is the law that ALL employers carry workers’ compensation insurance with a few exceptions:  Some employers can apply to the State to be exempt from the requirement to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance if they can show they have enough money and resources to cover payment of workers’ comp benefits even without insurance.  Also, most governmental entities are exempt from having to carry insurance.  (They can just borrow or tax as needed to pay necessary comp benefits.) 

In any case, if you’ve experienced an injury and are interested in workers compensation in Placer or El Dorado County, it is in your best interest to speak with a qualified California workers’ comp attorney to better understand your rights.

IF your employer is not exempt from the obligation to carry insurance and does not provide you with full comp benefits when injured, they can be charged with a crime, and the State may be ordered to pay you all comp benefits with the right to collect full reimbursement from your uninsured employer.   There are other legal actions that an injured worker can also take against an uninsured employer in order to recover benefits and damages.

#2. You do not have to prove an employer did something wrong or was at fault.

In normal personal injury situations, it is your responsibility to prove fault for someone else causing your injury. However, to make it easier for workers to receive medical treatment and limited compensation for work injuries, workers’ compensation laws exclude proving fault.

Instead, it is a worker’s responsibility to simply prove he or she was injured while employed at work. In the event the employer was negligent, there could be other legal options. Speaking with your Placer or El Dorado County workers compensation attorney as soon as possible will be the best way to understand the options available to you.

#3. You must go to the medical provider designated by your employer.

It may seem unfair, but unless your employer provides health insurance and you have designated a doctor to provide you care before you are injured, your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance provider designates the medical provider (doctor, hospital, etc.) that you must visit for a work injury. Refusal to do so may result in you losing your workers’ compensation claim.  That is, you can obtain treatment if necessary outside the employer’s or carrier’s network, but medical evidence obtained outside the employer’s comp system will, without special evaluations, not be sufficient evidence to support a legal action for benefits, including disability payments or further medical care.  

#4. In California, workers’ compensation attorney fees are based on a contingency fee.

California law does not allow worker’s compensation lawyers to charge clients a flat or hourly fee to handle a workers’ comp case. Instead, workers compensation lawyers are required to work on a contingency fee basis, which means that the lawyer is paid a percentage of the amount he or she recovers for their client.

In the event an injured worker does not receive any workers’ comp benefits, the lawyer doesn’t receive payment. For this reason, it’s important to hire a workers compensation attorney in Placer or El Dorado County that has proven experience and success representing cases similar to your own.

Find a Workers Compensation Attorney in El Dorado County

If you’re looking for an attorney to represent you in a case regarding workers compensation in  Placer or El Dorado County, don’t settle for just anyone. There are specific attributes characteristic of experienced California workers’ comp lawyers who understand how to navigate the complexities of the legal system successfully.

The workers’ compensation attorneys at Gold Country Workers Comp Center have several decades of experience with representing the rights of injured workers. It is our shared commitment to do everything possible to secure the maximum amount of benefits our clients are entitled to.

Remember, EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS! The sooner you speak with a workers comp lawyer, the better your chances are for receiving a successful resolution. Contact our El Dorado County workers comp attorney at 530-362-7188 to schedule a free case consultation and begin working on receiving the benefits you deserve.

Follow us: Facebook | LinkedIn

Workers Compensation El Dorado County

Posted on

The Importance of a California Workers Compensation Law Firm

Kim LaValley Workers Comp

A workers compensation law firm can assist you get the benefits you deserve following a work-related injury. When you get hurt at work, the most important thing to do is contact a California workers comp attorney about your injury and case. EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS!

Workers comp lawyers work closely with clients throughout the entire workers’ compensation process. They use their vast experience and expertise in workers compensation law to achieve the best result for their client.

Workers compensation laws differ depending on the state. That is why it is important for you to find a workers’ compensation attorney in California with the experience and license to practice in the state where the claim is made.

Choosing a California Workers’ Compensation Law Firm

There are many options available for finding the right California workers comp lawyer for you. It is recommended that you find a workers comp attorney soon after the workplace injury.

If you feel that there may be some difficulty with your claim, then you should find a workers comp lawyer first before contacting your employer or the state. The first way to find a workers comp law firm is to search your state through an online search.

Once you find some potential candidates, you can start searching for online reviews of how previous clients felt about their experience. Be sure to search for reviews that are descriptive and give you a good idea of the case the reviewer had.

Although no two workers compensation claims are the same, you can get a good idea of how a workers compensation law firm may treat your claim by searching for reviewers who had a similar case. Directly contacting the workers’ compensation law firm after you narrow down your potential candidates is recommended.

This will help answer important questions such as how the firm interacts with potential clients and what you should bring to a consultation. At the initial consultation, you can describe your circumstances and your claim to the attorney.

The workers’ comp attorney can then answer questions regarding how the firm communicates with clients, who will be handling your claim, and how the attorney’s fees are handled. Remember that the workers’ comp attorney should be able to clearly and honestly answer any questions you may have.

It’s important you feel confident in the expertise of the attorney you choose to represent you throughout your case. If you do not feel that the workers’ comp attorney can help you, for whatever reason, you should continue looking. 

How Workers Comp Lawyers Help Clients

Unfortunately, the workers compensation process can be stressful, challenging, and complicated for anyone who is not familiar with it. Even worse, employers and insurance companies can be difficult and sometimes even hostile through the process.

A workers comp law firm can help clients through every step of the workers’ comp process and ensure that the proper documentation and motions are filed. One of the most common reasons why a workers’ comp claim is denied is for incorrect or missing paperwork.

A workers’ comp attorney will gather the necessary documentation to prevent their client’s claim from being denied. Although most cases settle by agreement, if the claim goes to trial, your workers’ comp attorney will represent you in court.

The earlier you hire a workers comp law firm following your work-related injury, the better it will be in the long term. The time following a work-related injury can be extremely stressful on you and your family.  The fee is the same whether you get an attorney early on or towards the end of the process.  Having representation early helps insure your case is developed to maximize your benefits all along.

The pain of injury, lost wages, and medical bills can all make a difficult situation even worse. Fortunately, a workers comp lawyer can relieve this stress and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of benefits you are legally entitled to.

Contact Gold Country Workers Comp Center to schedule a free case consultation with a California workers compensation attorney and begin working on a successful resolution for your workers’ comp claim today.

Follow us: Facebook | LinkedIn

Workers Compensation Law Firm

Posted on

Be Prepared With a Workers Compensation Injury Attorney

Get Compensation for a Work Injury in Roseville

A workers compensation injury attorney can help you navigate the difficult period following a workplace accident. There are unfortunately a number of barriers that can prevent you from receiving a fair let alone the maximum amount of benefits.

Some of the barriers to getting benefits include combative insurance companies, difficult employers, and collecting the proper paperwork and documentation to support your workers’ compensation claim. California workers’ compensation lawyers are dedicated to the field of workers’ compensation and are experienced in overcoming the potential challenges you face.

Although the period following a workplace injury can be extremely stressful, workers comp attorneys can defend your rights and fight for you. Gold Country Workers Comp Center is a highly experienced and renowned workers compensation law office with a long history of success for clients.

Workplace Injury

The workplace can be a dangerous place sometimes because of employer negligence and at other times because of unfortunate accidents. Workers’ Compensation was designed to assist workers who suffer an injury from their workplace environment.  Workers’ compensation benefits are payable regardless of fault.

Workplace injuries, whether the result of a sudden accident or resulting from cumulative trauma over time, can both have an incredibly disruptive effect on the lives of an employee and their family. This disruption can be incredibly painful, traumatic, and expensive due to mounting medical bills.

Workers’ Compensation is meant to address these issues through financial means. Medical bills can be paid and lost wages recovered due to a workplace injury from workers compensation.

As mentioned above, insurance companies and employers will typically make as little an effort as possible to pay when an employee files a workers comp claim. Claims can even be denied based on incomplete or missing paperwork.

How A Workers Compensation Attorney Can Help

Hiring a dedicated workers compensation injury attorney can provide you with a number of benefits. These benefits can lead to a successful outcome when it comes to filing and prosecuting your workers’ compensation benefits claim.

A workers’ comp attorney will first assist you in filing a workers’ comp claims report to the appropriate organizations. According to California state law, every business is legally required to carry insurance for their employees.

Employers and insurance companies can take a number of steps to attempt to disrupt the process or pay out fewer benefits. A workers comp attorney has the experience to deal with employers and insurance companies.

Filing the claim is only one step in the workers’ compensation process. It is important to keep in mind that, until the claim is processed and accepted, you may have to pay out of pocket for medical bills, no matter how expensive.

It is recommended that you immediately file a formal claim form with your employer, and keep all medical visit records documented and organized. This can completely change the outcome of a claim from being denied to being accepted.

Contact a Gold Country Comp Lawyer

You should not wait to begin the workers’ compensation process and the first step is to hire an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer like Gold Country Comp. EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS.  Our team of highly proven and committed attorneys can help you through the process and increase your chances of receiving the maximum benefits you deserve for your workplace injury.

Contact us today for a free consultation by calling 530-362-7188 or to speak with a friendly staff member who can answer your questions.

Follow us: Facebook | LinkedIn

Workers Compensation Injury Attorney

 



Gold Country Comp

GoldCountryComp

GoldCountryComp.com

	


	





	

		
Posted on 
Find the Best California Workers Comp Lawyer to Get the Help You Need
	


			

			
				Workers Comp Attorney Roseville			
		

	
	

		
Workers’ compensation laws entitle employees to benefits after getting hurt at work. If you’re involved in any phase of the process for securing the workers’ compensation benefits that you are legally entitled to, you should look for the best California workers comp lawyer suited to represent you in your case.


Although workers’ compensation benefits are available, maximizing the amount you will receive and the process of receiving them is more difficult to navigate than most people believe. Given the complexity of the laws, the unique details of each individual’s case, the high volume of workers’ compensation cases, and the hurdles associated with difficult employers and insurance companies, legitimate benefits can be lost without the help of an experienced expert.


Do I Need a Workers Compensation Attorney?


EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS! The sooner you choose to begin working with a California workers comp attorney on your case, the more likely you will be able to reach a fair settlement without experiencing unnecessary setbacks throughout the process.


A workers’ compensation attorney provides injured workers with the legal guidance and support they need to receive a fair settlement. From initially filing the claim to representing the injured worker in a case hearing, the best California workers comp lawyer will be able to help at each phase of the settlement process.


For instance, some of the most common mistakes that cause an injured worker to experience delays in their case include errors in filing paperwork. Experienced workers comp attorneys will know the most crucial aspects that will be necessary for having your claim accepted, such as initial incident reports and ongoing up-to-date medical records.


Finding the Best California Workers Comp Lawyer


To help in your search with finding the best California workers comp lawyer, there are a few factors that should be taken into consideration. Although there are many attorneys willing to represent injured workers with workers’ compensation cases, not all of them will be equally as qualified.


For this reason, it is highly recommended to find a legal representative that specializes in this particular area of the law. This will ensure your interests are represented by an attorney with experience navigating the various nuances associated with workers’ compensation cases.


Fortunately, it’s possible to set up a free case consultation with most workers’ compensation attorneys. Because the initial consultation is free, there is nothing to lose. Many people will use this time to ask certain questions in order to learn more about the lawyer as well as become more informed with their case.


A few questions to ask a workers compensation attorney during your consultation include:


    

  • Have you handled cases similar to mine?
    • 

  • Is it possible to reach a settlement outside of court?
    • 

  • How will you keep me informed over the course of the case?
    • 

  • Do you foresee any unique problems with my case?
    • 



Here at Gold Country Workers Comp Center, our focus is to protect the interests of our clients above all. We specialize in California workers’ comp cases and proudly serve the communities of Yuba City, Marysville, Truckee, Nevada City, Sacramento, and beyond. 


Remember, EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS! Schedule your free case consultation today to speak with a California workers compensation attorney about your case.


Follow us: Facebook | LinkedIn


Best California Workers Comp Lawyer


Gold Country Comp

GoldCountryComp

GoldCountryComp.com

	


	





	

		
Posted on 
Types Of Settlements In Workers Comp Cases
	


			

			
				Injured on the Job?			
		

	
	

		
A Marysville workers compensation attorney can assist clients through a workers’ compensation case to ensure the best result is reached. Unlike other legal cases, workers’ compensation cases are decided by a workers’ compensation judge or at a workers’ compensation appeals board. 


There are three distinct types of settlements for workers’ comp cases. Understanding them can give a client a better idea of what a workers’ compensation lawyer can provide. Below, these three types of settlements or outcomes are explained. 


Clients should take special note that a workers’ comp attorney cannot ask for an advanced payment without the consent of a workers’ comp judge. For more information or to discuss your case in detail, please contact a Marysville workers compensation attorney at Gold Country Workers’ Comp Center to schedule a free case consultation.


Stipulation With A Request For Reward


A settlement known as a Stipulation with a Request for Reward involves the client receiving bi-weekly installments covering the amount of partial permanent disability (PPD) money owing.  


Factors that influence this settlement include the percentage of disability found by both the treating doctors and evaluating doctors, the client’s earnings, age and occupational duties, and whether they will be physically able to return to work following medical treatment. 


California workers’ compensation laws also qualify a client that receives this kind of settlement for the lifetime workers’ compensation benefit of paid medical care in the future. (This is subject to the California procedures that generally limit the medical care to what the insurance company’s doctors allow.)  This settlement also allows a client to reopen their workers’ comp case within five years of the original workplace injury if their disability level has increased. 


Following the five year time period, the disability percentage will be final. Despite this, the lifetime of workers’ comp medical care will remain open. 


Compromise And Release


The next type of settlement a Marysville workers compensation attorney can assist a client with is known as a Compromise and Release. This outcome will provide a workers’ comp benefits claimant to receive one large lump sum. 


The sum is meant to financially settle all issues involving a workers’ compensation case, including any temporary disability payments that may arguably be owing and the partial permanent disability owing.  A Compromise and Release settlement is typically pursued in workers’ comp cases that involve future medical care, back pay benefits, and permanent or temporary disability from the workplace injury, with the final settlement of all those benefits being covered by the one agreed upon final amount. 


When a judge approves this kind of award, all workers’ comp issues regarding the case are considered completely settled.


However, there is a hybrid type of settlement, where all issues are settled with the exception of future medical care.  Insurance companies generally avoid this type of settlement, but attorneys can often negotiate for this type of settlement.


If the case can’t be settled, a Trial will be necessary


A workers’ comp attorney can assist a client with a trial before a judge.  A judge won’t have authority to Order anything that can’t be covered in the same way as a Stipulation with a Request for Reward settlement mentioned above. 


Unlike in the above-mentioned settlement, a judge will hear the medical and possibly vocational evidence a client has along with their testimony to make a decision.  The defense will have an attorney appear and try to present evidence favorable to the employer’s position.  A client who appears without an attorney is at a distinct disadvantage.


If a judge rules in favor of the client, the judge will determine the percentage of the client’s permanent disability, including the factors discussed above, award back due temporary disability, if any,  and if the evidence supports it, award future medical care benefits for treatment to those body parts and systems found to be industrially injured. 


Early intervention works!  Only workers’ compensation specialists understand the law well enough to advise clients in dealing with trained claims adjusters and attorneys.  You are definitely at a disadvantage in the process if you don’t have an attorney to speak with.   Consult with a California workers compensation attorney today to begin working towards acquiring the benefits you are rightfully owed.


Follow us: Facebook | LinkedIn


Marysville Workers Compensation Attorney


Gold Country Comp

GoldCountryComp

GoldCountryComp.com