Bakersfield Industrial Injury Lawyer
Safety measures are usually in place, but unfortunately, injuries can still occur in the workplace or on job sites. These injuries can cause loss of income, increased medical bills, and other issues. Therefore, knowing what to do after a workplace accident can make all the difference.
Contact our Bakersfield industrial injury lawyers if you were injured on the job. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can discuss your case, guide you on the proper steps to take, and try to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Does an Injury Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?
In California, every employer must pay for workers’ compensation benefits if someone is hurt while on the job. If an employee suffers a work-related injury, the business must cover medical costs, time off, and other expenses. Injuries may qualify if:
You Sustain a Single Injury
This is often an unexpected injury. It covers slip-and-fall accidents, severe cuts that require stitches, chemical splashes, vehicle accidents when traveling for work, and other injuries. If you need medical assistance, you must seek help immediately and let it be known that the accident occurred while you were on the job.
You Sustain Injuries Through Repeated Exposure
In an industrial workplace, there may be chemicals that you are exposed to throughout the day. If you sustain chemical burns, develop breathing problems, or a more severe illness because of chemical exposure, you may be able to seek compensation. This may also apply to injuries sustained by repetitive actions, like loss of hearing because of noise levels in the workplace or back issues from constant lifting.
PTSD or Mental Illness
In rare cases, mental illness may be covered by workers’ compensation. However, it can be challenging to get it, and a company must employ the person for at least six months.
When discussing industrial injuries, no definitive guide tells every situation that may or may not be covered. Therefore, if a person feels their industrial injury qualifies, they must follow the proper steps and get help from a Bakersfield attorney.
Steps to Take When Filing for Industrial Injury Compensation
As soon as an injury occurs, a person should report the injury to your employer and seek medical assistance. Afterward, the injured employee needs to file a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC 1). The employer should provide it to the industrial worker within one day of the original report. The employee fills it out and returns it to their employer immediately. If the injured person needs to mail the form to their employer, they should send it via certified mail and request a return receipt to show proof that they received it. The employer will fill out their section within one day and provide a copy.
Once this is complete, the employee should seek medical treatment by a doctor specializing in the type of injuries they have. For instance, if a person injures their back, they should seek care from a physician who understands back injuries and can:
- Prescribe care for the injury
- Determine if it is safe to return to work
- Establish workloads that will keep the person safe from further injury
- Refer the worker to specialists
- Write reports that establish the benefits required
The worker needs to explain how the injury occurred and the work environment to help the physician establish the claim and set limitations. A lawyer in Bakersfield could help an industrial worker navigate these steps after an injury at work.
Seek Help From a Bakersfield Industrial Injury Lawyer
Any on-the-job injury can be a reason to file for workers’ compensation. Afterward, a claims administrator should notify you of the decision within a reasonable time. Seeking advice from a Bakersfield industrial injury lawyer you can depend on is essential as you begin this journey. It protects you if there are delays or your workplace is stalling on helping you. Contact Levin & Nalbandyan Trial Lawyers today, and we will work hard to help you get the compensation you deserve.
