When you suffer a slip and fall injury at work, your first concerns are typically how to cover the medical expenses and lost income if you are unable to work while healing. Fortunately, employees in California are covered by one of the country’s most robust and beneficial Worker’s Compensation programs. All employers are required to purchase this accident injury insurance to protect employees who are injured on the job. And when a worker gets hurt, they are able to use the benefits at no cost to themselves and have no repercussions for using the insurance benefit.
But it is vital that the slip and fall injury victim understand the processes and time limits on using the benefits offered by Worker’s Comp to ensure they get the help they need and deserve when hurt at work. Knowing how to file a claim and the resources provided by Normandie Law Firm if your employer is not forthcoming with the services and help you need will ensure you are not faced with massive medical expenses and other financial challenges due to your lost income.
If you have recently suffered a workplace slip and fall, the staff at Normandie Law Firm is just a call away. Our team will answer any immediate legal questions concerning your ability to file a Worker’s Comp claim and schedule a free consultation with an expert workplace slip and fall lawyer to discuss the details of your injury accident and how the value of your claim aligns with the average value of a workplace slip and fall lawsuit case. Please contact Normandie Law Firm today to learn more about your rights as a worker injured at work and how Worker’s Compensation can provide the solutions you need.
Who Can Use Worker’s Compensation Benefits?
In California, Worker’s Compensation benefits cover all employees, including those working part-time, when injured at work doing tasks that are part of their regular job description. In addition, your employer is required by law to purchase Worker’s Comp coverage for all employees of the business and is not allowed to deny any employee coverage or legitimate use of their benefits after an injury. Employers are also forbidden to punish or fire employees for using their Worker’s Comp benefits if they are injured while working.
What Are The Benefits Offered Under Worker’s Compensation?
The California Worker’s Comp benefits package is one of the most generous in the United States. It provides a worker injured on the job with up to $1M in medical care coverage for injuries caused while on the job. In addition to the physical injuries, this medical care coverage includes care for emotional trauma counseling and care related to job site injuries. Workers who cannot return to their jobs immediately after a workplace injury are also entitled to get up to 66% of their average weekly income while they cannot work due to their injuries.
If the workplace injuries are severe and will prevent the employee from ever returning to the same job, there are options for vocational training to secure a new position. In the case of an injury resulting in partial disability or permanent disability, funds are available for long-term payments to replace the person’s lost earning capability.
Finally, it is critical to understand that Worker’s Compensation is a program that benefits the injured employee and their employer. While the victim of the injury receives medical care and partial wage compensation, the employer gets a benefit as well. Employers receive a level of protection from personal injury lawsuits when their employees use their Worker’s Comp benefits. An injured employee cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer for a workplace injury incident by law. Instead, they are limited to the benefits offered by Worker’s Comp. Only in cases involving gross negligence can an injured worker seek added compensation from their employer via a personal injury lawsuit.
What To Know About Filing A Worker’s Compensation Claim
Injured workers need to know that they have only 30 days from the date of their injury to file a claim with the Worker’s Comp staff. If they fail to open the claim in that time, they will lose the right to their benefits. In most cases, your employer will contact Worker’s Comp soon after you notify them of your workplace injury to open the claim on your behalf. However, you can contact Worker’s Compensation yourself to open the claim or verify that a claim has been opened for your current workplace injury incident.
If your employer fails to notify Worker’s Comp and you need assistance opening a claim, the expert Worker’s Compensation lawyers at Normandie Law Firm are here to help. Be sure to contact our office as soon as possible for a free consultation to learn more about your rights as an employee who suffered a workplace injury.
Understanding The Average Value Of A Workplace Slip And Fall Claim
As you might have figured out already, your Worker’s Compensation benefits will be based on the cost of your medical bills and the amount of your lost wages. Worker’s Comp does not pay any pain and suffering damages to injured workers. So, the value of your claim will be the total of all your medical care related to your workplace injuries and up to 66% of your lost income.
In most slip and fall workplace injuries, the damage suffered by the victim is limited to minor injuries. That means the medical bills are less significant than if there were severe injuries. The average Worker’s Comp slip and fall injury settlement is between $2,000 and $20,000. But it is also crucial to know that if your injuries are severe, you could receive up to $1M in compensation to cover massive medical expenses and medical care while you are recovering from your workplace injuries.
Common Workplace Slip And Fall Injuries
Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time, even on the most well-maintained workplace. Fortunately, when these mishaps occur, the injuries suffered by the worker are typically mild and can be treated and rehabilitated to complete recovery. Some of the most common workplace slip and fall injuries include:
- Lacerations, puncture wounds, skin abrasions
- Burns
- Fractured or broken bones
- Joint dislocations or damage to the connective tissue of the joint
- Soft tissue damage, such as strains or sprains, muscle tears, or minor nerve damage
- Back or neck injuries
- Concussions
These injuries can result in the employee requiring medical care and time off work to heal. However, they are typically injuries that will fully recover, allowing the worker to return to their job in a few weeks or months. More Severe workplace injuries covered by Worker’s Comp include:
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds involving damage to internal organs or internal bleeding
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Facial injuries to the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or teeth
- Head trauma, including a brain hemorrhage, brain contusion, or other traumatic brain injury
It is critical that an injured worker get the immediate medical care required to treat any workplace injury. Remember, the medical care coverage for your injuries reached a full $1M to prevent you from facing excessive medical debt due to injuries you suffered while on the job.
When Your Employer Tried To Deny Worker’s Comp Benefits
As an employee, you try to provide challenging work to your employer in return for the salary or income you are paid. In most cases, there is a sense of loyalty and appreciation for the job that you have. And you expect the same appreciation from your employer. However, some business owners fail to reciprocate that appreciation and even go so far as to attempt to stop employees from using their Worker’s Compensation benefits.
If your boss or employer tried to stop you from contacting Worker’s Compensation for a legitimate workplace injury, they are breaking the law. They cannot deny you access to these benefits or punish you for using them. If you face these challenges, please contact Normandie Law Firm immediately. The expert Worker’s Compensation lawyers will advise you on how to contact Worker’s Comp and assist you in opening a claim and getting the benefits owed to you.
You Are Not Alone After Suffering A Workplace Injury
It can be very stressful to suffer an injury while at work. You are worried about the financial implications of the accident and if you will still have a job after you recover. The staff at Normandie Law Firm is here to help you navigate all of these challenges and get the full benefits you deserve from Worker’s Compensation. In addition, we will advise you of your rights if your employer is withholding access to Worker’s Comp, threatening to fire you if you make a claim, or there was gross negligence involved in the accident that caused your injuries.
Our dedicated staff can be reached 24/7 to ensure you have the information and resources you need and deserve after suffering a legitimate injury while at work. And we are ready to provide a free consultation to help you understand your rights and how to move forward. In the event of gross negligence or other grounds for a slip and fall workplace lawsuit, our staff will handle your case with no upfront legal fees or payments required. And if we fail to win your workplace slip and fall lawsuit, you owe us nothing. Please contact Normandie Law Firm today to learn more about protecting your rights and future.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
What are the Chances of a Slip and Fall Case Going to Trial?
Slip and Fall on Street Due to Soapy Water from a Business Injury Case
Can I Sue a Property Owner for Slip and Fall Caused by Power Washing?
