No family should choose between medical care and putting food on the table. A serious workplace accident can leave you unable to work. All while medical bills and everyday expenses pile up. For California workers with catastrophic injuries, workers’ compensation benefits can provide a path forward.
What if your injuries prevent you from working?
The income that supported a family stops overnight. Meanwhile, insurance companies look for reasons to deny claims or pay less. California law gives benefits for workers with serious injuries. These include:
- Medical treatment: All needed care including surgeries, therapy, medications and equipment
- Temporary disability benefits: Part of your wage while unable to work, usually two-thirds of average weekly wages
- Permanent disability benefits: Payment based on injury severity and earning capacity
- Job retraining: Vouchers for education and skills training when unable to return to previous work
These are not favors from insurance companies. They are legal rights that support injured workers. Families deserve full compensation that covers their long-term medical and financial needs.
How can you qualify for workers’ compensation?
Steps taken after a serious workplace accident can impact your workers’ compensation claim. Missing documentation often gives insurers reasons to reject legitimate claims. Consider taking these actions immediately:
- Report the injury: Tell your employer in writing within 30 days as required by California law
- Keep medical records: Save records of treatment, prescriptions and doctor visits
- Document the accident: Record when, where and how the injury happened
- Gather witness information: Collect names and contact details
- Take photos: Photograph the accident scene, equipment and hazards
- Save financial records: Keep medical bills, pay stubs and proof of lost wages
Full records prove the injury happened at work, show how serious the harm is and document the financial devastation your family faces. Taking these steps early can help save evidence needed for a claim.
Getting the support you need
Insurance companies do not always approve every workers’ compensation claim. They may question how the injury happened or whether some medical care is needed. These disputes can delay treatment and benefits that injured workers rely on.
In these situations, workers may benefit from having an advocate who can fight against insurance company tactics. This can help you get the medical treatment and benefits you may be entitled to.