Covering Your Expenses After a Work-related Injury
Workers’ compensation covers the medical expenses and lost income of a worker who suffers an injury or develops an illness as a direct result of their job. However, the losses an injured victim incurs following a serious injury or illness often go far beyond just medical bills and lost wages, which leaves many injured workers wondering what happens if their benefits don’t fully cover the full extent of their losses.
Were you injured on the job? The Los Angeles workers’ comp and personal injury lawyers at Levin & Nalbandyan can help. Contact our office online or call (213) 513-5614 today to arrange a free consultation. In your initial meeting, we will explain your rights and determine whether you might be entitled to compensation in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits.
What Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Workers’ compensation is a type of business insurance that provides benefits to workers who were injured or became ill as a direct result of their jobs.
Under California Labor Code 3700, workers’ compensation is mandatory for all employers, regardless of the amount of employees. Companies are required to maintain coverage if they have one or more employees who regularly work in California, even if the company’s headquarters are in another state.
How Do I Receive Workers’ Comp?
To receive benefits, an employee must report the injury, submit a claim within a certain time frame, and meet all the necessary requirements for coverage. They do not, in any way, have to prove their employer was at fault for their injury or illness to receive their benefits.
If the claim is not submitted in time or is denied, the worker can file an appeal. Appealing the denial can be challenging, so it is highly recommended to work with a work with a workers’ compensation attorney during the appeals process.
What Does Workers’ Comp Cover?
Workers’ comp provides basic benefits to injured or ill workers. These benefits cover an employee’s medical expenses, lost wages, and costs for rehabilitation. If the worker is disabled, the employer-provided coverage will also provide temporary or permanent disability benefits. Other available benefits include supplemental job displacement benefits and a return-to-work supplement.
Should the employee die as a result of their injuries or illness, workers’ compensation will provide monthly death benefits to the worker’s surviving spouse, children, or other eligible beneficiaries.
The benefits received vary and are calculated based on the worker’s injury, age, type of employment, and change in earning capacity.
Can I Receive Additional Compensation to Cover My Bills?
Although workers’ compensation benefits are said to cover the costs of work-related injuries and illnesses, they often cover only a portion of your losses. In some circumstances, you can seek additional compensation to cover the full extent of the expenses and other losses associated with your work injury or illness.
If your employer was aware of an extremely hazardous situation and failed to remedy it, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. However, unlike workers’ comp, to successfully secure compensation, you and your attorney will need to prove your employer was negligent.
Contact a Workers Compensation Lawyer in Los Angeles to Learn More
Did you get hurt or sick at work? If you suffered severe injuries or developed a serious illness, your workers’ comp benefits will likely not cover all of the costs. Fortunately, you might be entitled to compensation in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits.
The legal team at Levin & Nalbandyan is dedicated to helping injured workers get back on their feet. We understand just how devastating a work-related injury or illness can be. That is why we advocate so strongly to get you the compensation you need. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. So, if your workers’ compensation claim has been denied or you feel you may be entitled to additional compensation, our Los Angeles workers’ comp lawyers can help. Contact us online or call (213) 513-5614 to schedule your FREE consultation.
