SpaceX Workplace Injury Lawyer – Workers Compensation Rights

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., commonly known as SpaceX, is a spacecraft and satellite communications company that was founded by Elon Musk in 2002. The company, which is headquartered in Hawthorne, California, manufactures several space vehicles, including the Falcon 9 and the Starship. SpaceX is credited with notable achievements in space exploration, like making the first privately developed liquid-propelled rocket that reached orbit.

These achievements would not have been possible without the company’s strong and committed workforce. Unfortunately, these people face a high risk of injury each and every day they report to work. If you are a SpaceX worker that suffered a job-related injury, you are probably concerned about the impact of your accident on many areas of your life. That’s why it’s essential to learn about your rights under California’s workers’ compensation system. As someone with a workplace injury, there are benefits to help you cover the costs of recovering from an accident. To discuss your rights and legal options with a SpaceX work injury lawyer, contact Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible.

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Common Examples of Workplace Injuries

Injuries happen on a daily basis at work sites throughout California, whether you are a construction worker or an office administrator. However, technology-based companies like SpaceX are especially prone to workplace accidents due to the materials and substances they work with. There are countless risks for those that are involved in the designing, manufacturing, and testing of spacecrafts and satellites. But accidents can also happen in office settings from slippery substances, falling objects, and other hazardous conditions. Common injuries from a workplace accident include:

• Deep lacerations

• Broken bones

• Fractures

• Repetitive motion injuries

• Thermal burns

• Electric shock

• Fire-related injuries – burns, smoke inhalation, disfigurement

• Head injuries – traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, permanent scars

• Strains and sprains (soft tissue injuries)

• Whiplash (neck injury)

• Back injuries, like spinal cord damage and herniated / bulging disc

• Toxic chemical exposure  

• Tetanus, MRSA, and other infections 

• Damage to the internal organs

• Nerve damage

• Paralysis

What Kind of Payments can I Receive from Workers’ Compensation?

The benefits you can receive from a workers’ compensation claim depend on the extent of your injuries and the losses you are left with as a result of your accident. Below is a list of the payments that you may be awarded:

• Cost of medical treatments, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and other medical expenses.

• Temporary disability payments

• Permanent disability benefits

• Retraining benefits (if you need to change careers due to physical / mental limitations).

• Payment from California’s Return-to-Work Fund Supplement program  

A labor law attorney at our office will explain each of these benefits to you and which ones you are eligible to receive. Then, we will get right to work on processing your claim and fighting for what you deserve under the state’s workers’ compensation laws.

Lawsuits against Third Parties

Because employees are guaranteed workers’ compensation by the state, they are not allowed to sue their employer for a work-related injury. However, you can file a lawsuit against individuals and entities other than SpaceX, which is known as a third party lawsuit.

For example, you may have been injured during your job by a defective product, which would still allow you to seek workers’ comp benefits. However, the maker of the product may be liable for your accident if the product became defective during the manufacturing process. That means you can file a third party claim against the manufacturer while receiving workers’ compensation payments.

The laws governing third party liability are complicated, so please speak with a personal injury lawyer to determine the best legal strategy for your case. You can count on us to protect your interests if negligence by someone other than your employer caused you to be injured. To explore all the avenues that may be available to you as a workplace injury victim, give us a call to schedule a free case evaluation.

Average Case Value of a Workers’ Compensation Claim

The value of a workers’ compensation claim depends on many factors that are specific to the claimant, so there is no such thing as an “average” payment in these cases. Claims with minor injuries may be worth around $2,000 to $5,000; those with more serious injuries can exceed $100,000. To give you an idea of how these benefits are calculated, here are some of the factors that are involved:

• The severity of your injuries and the treatments that are required

• Length of time you are expected to be out of work

• If your injuries are permanent, and how they will affect your ability to resume your job duties

• If you will need training for a different line of work (retraining benefits)

Statute of Limitations to File for Workers’ Compensation

You have one year from the date of your injury to file a workers’ compensation claim in California. However, you must report the accident to your employer within 30 days. At that point, your employer has 10 days to notify their insurance company of the incident. To avoid any complications that can hold up your payment, we strongly urge you to speak to your employer right away if you’ve been injured during the course of your job duties. That way, your employer can tell you which doctor to go to and provide you the necessary paperwork to fill out. These steps are essential to the claims process, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

How Long do These Cases Take to Settle?

If you have a relatively straightforward case with no major disputes between you and your employer, it may take as little as 30 days for your claim to be approved. But if there are disagreements over the source of your injuries, the treatments you will need, etc., we may need to schedule a court hearing. This is not unusual in cases of serious injury, where you and the insurer may disagree on your level of disability and the payments you are due as a result. Depending on the necessary legal actions, it’s possible that resolving a workers’ compensation case can take over one year.

Second Opinion from a California Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Our law firm provides free second opinions on active workplace injury claims. This is your chance to get another lawyer’s perspective if you have questions or concerns about the way your case is being handled. We are happy to review the work that’s been done by your attorney and alert you to any red flags. Then, we will provide you with recommendations, which may include switching your lawyer. If you decide that we are the right law firm to represent you, we can take care of the entire transfer process at no cost to you. On the other hand, you may decide to stay with your current law firm, which is completely up to you. You will be charged $0 for the consultation no matter what you decide, so please give us a call if you’re interested in a free second opinion.

The Workplace Accident Lawyers of Normandie

Labor laws are in place to protect workers when they have been injured on the job, but it’s an unfortunate reality that employers and their insurance companies have the advantage in these situations. A lack of legal knowledge, the stress of dealing with their injuries, and other factors make it difficult for employees to obtain compensation when they are injured on the job. Legal representation from an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can make all the difference when you are fighting for your rights as an injured SpaceX employee.

We know that many claimants are concerned about the cost of hiring an attorney, but you won’t have to worry about that, since we work on contingency. All of our services are free to you, starting from the initial consultation. The only time we get paid is at the end of your case, when we’ve successfully secured the benefits you are entitled to. If we fail to recover payment on your behalf, you pay absolutely nothing, since we provide a Zero Fee Guarantee to all our clients.

For a free consultation with a workplace accident injury lawyer, contact our law firm as soon as possible.