Injured on the job?
Call The Heavy HittersTM!
Award-winning Sacramento Workplace Injury Attorneys
A workplace injury can change your life in an instant. If you or someone you love was injured on the job, you may be wondering if you should contact a work injury lawyer. You may be facing medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity, and fear being reprimanded or even losing your job because of your injuries.
This is why it is so important for you to know your rights and how to protect yourself and your family. Contact our offices today to speak with a work injury lawyer about the details of your potential case. When you speak with a Curtis Legal Group attorney, our consultation is 100% free and confidential.
Common On the Job Injuries in Dangerous Industries
The dangerous conditions of some jobs are obvious, including many in the construction industry and transportation industry. One of the most common causes of work related injuries is being hit by falling objects. Even a small object dropped from great heights can be dangerous, but often workers are moving massive pieces of equipment, machinery and materials. The opportunity for being hit by a falling object or other injury rises greatly when transporting heavy objects.
Workers in these industries are also at greater risk of falling injuries. It is not uncommon for construction workers to fall off of jobsite structures including scaffolding, tanks, and more. From a great enough height, these workplace slip, trip, and falls can be life altering or even fatal.
Many of California’s biggest industries also expose workers to heavy machinery accidents. Industrial work often involves using powerful equipment operating with significant force, under high pressure, and using dangerous chemicals.
Needless to say, accidents related to powerful, faulty equipment can expose workers to hazardous chemicals, fires, and explosions, all of which are extremely dangerous and can cause catastrophic, permanent injuries if not wrongful death.
Unfortunately, these catastrophic occupational accidents often cause workers to lose their livelihoods or their lives. When this happens, families suffer as well, often experiencing extreme financial stress such as large medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income, all while grieving the death of a loved one. Our attorneys have successfully litigated wrongful death claims for work-related injuries, and we are experienced in investigating every avenue of compensation available for our clients.
Trusted Attorney-Client Relationship for Work-Related Injury Cases
Each personal injury attorney at Curtis Legal Group believes in building a strong attorney-client relationship as the foundation of every case. We understand the frustrations and worries you have after a work-related injury, from filing insurance claims to documenting your losses. We focus on helping injured workers get the compensation they deserve while reducing the stress of recovery.
We handle injury cases involving the following situations:
- Car accidents
- Truck and heavy vehicle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Struck-by, crushed, or trapped in accidents
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Electrocution, fires, or explosions
- Wrongful death
By hiring us to manage your injury claim, we can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, fighting to get the benefits and financial relief you need. Whether you are able to recover quickly or require lengthy rehabilitation for more severe conditions, we are by your side every step of the way. At Curtis Legal Group, we ensure you receive fair treatment and protect your rights after a job injury.
Medical Treatment and Care Assistance for Workplace Injuries
After experiencing a workplace injury, you are likely eligible for disability benefits from a variety of sources. If your employer provides insurance coverage, you can file a claim with that provider. You may be able to pursue a third-party personal injury lawsuit against individuals or businesses that contributed to your injury when they are not employed by your company. Finally, you may be able to file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits from the federal government.
Worker insurance benefits typically pay for your medical costs associated with your injury and partial wages (about ⅔ of what you earned prior to getting hurt). Depending on how your injury affects your ability to work and for how long, you could qualify for the following:
- Partial temporary disability: Your benefits are paid for a short period until you return to work when you are not fully disabled. For example, you may be able to continue working light-duty tasks or in another department.
- Full temporary disability: You receive benefits for a period of time and are unable to perform any work at all.
- Partial permanent disability: After you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) and the doctor determines you are permanently unable to do your former job but can perform light-duty work, you could receive permanent disability benefits for the rest of your life.
- Full permanent disability: If you will never fully recover the ability to work at any job again, your insurance provider could determine you are eligible for full permanent disability benefits for as long as you live.
If you pass away from your work-related injury, either immediately or while struggling to heal, your dependents are eligible for death benefits in California. This compensation typically pays for your funeral and burial expenses up to a certain amount and will pay your surviving family members part of your wages. How much your family receives depends on factors such as what your pay rate was when you died, how many dependents are left behind, and their ages.
Wrongful Death: Fighting for Dependents’ Rights and Benefits
Losing a loved one is tragic and overwhelming in the best of situations, but when they die due to someone else’s negligence, the family may have powerful legal recourse. In California, you can choose to pursue a wrongful death action under California Code CCP 377.60. Family members such as the spouse, children, and parents of the deceased can file this action if there are other parties at fault for the death.
While an employee typically cannot file a personal injury lawsuit when they are hurt and covered by a workers’ compensation system, their surviving family members may be able to demonstrate wrongful death against any other parties who caused or contributed to the death. For example, if an employee is killed by individuals who enter a parking area that was not effectively guarded by a hired security company, their heirs could file a case against the security provider for failing to protect their loved one.
If the loved one dies later on, the surviving family members can include all the family member’s medical bills and other costs associated with their workplace injuries as part of the wrongful death damage demands. Along with losing their loved one, you should not have to face a financial crisis paying for the emergency medical care and following medical treatment the employee received before they died. Although no amount of money will ever replace someone who dies, a qualified wrongful death lawyer will fight hard to ensure you and others left behind have the resources you need to grieve comfortably.
Expert Help for Job Injury and Work-Related Accident Claims
At Curtis Legal Group, injured employees can get the legal advice and professional guidance they need from an experienced attorney with years of experience fighting for workers’ rights. As a top-rated Northern California law firm, we listen carefully to your circumstances and answer your questions. We then offer our solutions to help you secure the outcome you desire, tailored to the details of your unique case.
With locations in Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, and Stockton, we are available to meet with you at your convenience, whether at your home, workplace, our law office, or even in the hospital as you recover. It costs you nothing to speak with a work injury lawyer from Curtis Legal Group because we offer free case reviews with no obligation. If we accept your case, we also do not get paid until we win a settlement for you.
Work Injury FAQs: Answers to Common Questions
What Do You Do if You Are Injured on the Job?
If you have suffered a workplace injury, getting medical attention should be your top priority. For serious injuries, call 911. Regardless of whether you think your injuries are severe, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more damage unapparent injuries can cause and the harder it may be to prove your case is work-related, so the sooner you seek treatment, the better.
When Should I Report the Accident to My Employer?
Once you are safely under medical care and/or your condition is stable, let your employer know what happened as soon as possible. It is best if this is done in writing so that nothing can be misconstrued. Be sure to provide this notice in writing no more than thirty (30) days after the incident or you could risk losing your workers’ compensation benefits.
Even if your manager or coworkers saw what happened, it is still important to document the event in writing on your end. The notice should state the injury, when and where it happened, and who you are seeking medical treatment from.
What Is the Statute Of Limitations for a Work Injury in California?
The statute of limitations in California for filing a personal injury lawsuit is only two years from your date of injury. It takes months to build a powerful work injury case and negotiate a satisfactory settlement offer. Waiting too long could limit your options, so contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help you with your work-related injury case.
If your loved one was wrongfully killed as the result of a work injury, the survivors have two years within which to file a lawsuit as well.
How Long Does a Workplace Injury Case Take?
There is no definitive answer to the question of how long a workplace injury claim can take to resolve because there are so many variables at play. To build the strongest case, a full investigation of the events must first take place. We may determine that it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit immediately, or we may find beginning with settlement negotiations to be a better strategy.
The entire process could wrap up quickly with a great settlement, it could take a couple of months to resolve, or it could last for several years. Ultimately, the unique and specific details of your case and the related law will factor into the legal strategy we pursue, which will determine the length of time a work injury case takes to resolve. Contact our law firm today to discuss your case. Our attorneys will be able to review your case and give you a clearer timeline specific to the facts of your situation.
When Should You Contact a Work Injury Lawyer?
If you or someone you love was injured on the job, you should speak with a workplace injury attorney as soon as possible. If an employer does not carry the legally required amount of workers’ compensation coverage, they can become subject to additional criminal penalties and directly vulnerable to civil lawsuits. Our experienced work injury attorneys know to investigate the incident thoroughly to discover if all responsible parties are properly insured.
Furthermore, depending on what you do for work, you may encounter situations when you must deal with third parties, such as a subcontractor or vendor. If you or your loved one’s injuries were caused by an employee of a third party that is not your employer, you can file a direct lawsuit against them to recover your damages regardless of whether or not they have the appropriate workers’ compensation insurance.
What Does a Work Injury Lawyer Do?
If you were seriously injured at work, you need to focus on getting well, including going to any follow-up appointments and continuing with ongoing medical care. Our job is to get to the bottom of what happened with a thorough investigation of events. Our legal team will work to get all necessary evidence, such as security videos, images from the scene of the accident, internal documentation of the accident, medical records, and any other relevant evidence.
Once sufficient evidence is gathered, we can determine all potential causes, including whether defective equipment, inadequate safety procedures, and/or interference by third parties may be to blame. Curtis Legal Group’s experienced personal injury lawyers know the details of California’s work injury laws, California courts, and importantly, how to fully investigate the facts of your unique situation, regardless of industry or job title, to build the strongest case possible.
We will work on your behalf to hold the parties legally responsible and accountable for your damages.
Contact a Curtis Legal Group Workplace Injury Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious or fatal injury at work, contact Curtis Legal Group at 1-800-LAW-3080 for a free and confidential consultation to learn more about your legal rights and how we can help you recover financial compensation.
The professional and experienced legal team at Curtis Legal Group is ready to fight for you. We know that you are going through a challenging time that has impacted your income and your quality of life. Navigating the aftermath of a workplace injury is confusing, and workers’ compensation may not be your only avenue of financial recovery. You likely deserve more money than comp will pay, so let us fight for you to get you the compensation you need from all responsible parties, not just your employer.
If you have suffered a workplace injury – whether physical, occupational illness, repetitive stress, or something else – let us ensure you are taken care of while you recover. Contact Curtis Legal Group today at 1-800-LAW-3080. We are here to fight for you.