Los Angeles Workers' Compensation Attorney

Helping You Get the Financial Resources You Need

In the event of an injury on the job, most workers in California are covered under their employers' workers' compensation insurance coverage. What many people don't know, however, is that workers' compensation is a safety net that has been put in place to protect the employer from lawsuits, while also offering the injured worker medical care and a base level of pay.

Workers' Compensation System in California

The workers' compensation system in California is designed to provide benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. It is a no-fault system, meaning that an injured worker can receive benefits regardless of who was at fault for the injury. In exchange, employees generally cannot sue their employer for work-related injuries.

The system is regulated by the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) and requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance.

Benefits available include:

• Medical care – Covers medical treatment for work-related injuries or illnesses.
• Temporary disability benefits – Wage replacement for employees who cannot work while recovering.
• Permanent disability benefits – Compensation for workers with lasting impairments.
• Supplemental job displacement benefits – Vouchers for retraining if an employee cannot return to their previous job.
• Death benefits – Payments to the dependents of a worker who dies due to a job-related injury or illness.

What to Do After a Work Accident in Glendale

1. Report the Injury to Your Employer

• Notify your employer as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after the injury.
• Failure to report within 30 days could result in losing your right to benefits.

2. Seek Medical Treatment

• If it's an emergency, get immediate medical care.
• If it’s non-emergency, your employer may direct you to a company-approved doctor.
• Inform the doctor that the injury is work-related.

3. File a Workers' Compensation Claim (DWC-1 Form)

• Your employer must give you a DWC-1 claim form within one working day after learning about your injury.
• Fill out the "employee" section of the form and return it to your employer.
• The employer then fills out their section and submits the claim to their workers' compensation insurance.

4. Employer Reports the Claim to the Insurance Company

• Once your employer receives the completed DWC-1 form, they must submit it to their workers' compensation insurance carrier.

5. Insurance Company Investigates the Claim

• The insurance company has up to 90 days to accept or deny the claim.
• If the claim is not denied within 90 days, it is presumed accepted.
• While you are waiting for a decision, the insurer must cover medical expenses (up to $10,000).

6. Receive Benefits (If Approved)

• If approved, you will receive the benefits you qualify for.
• If temporary disability is approved, you will get payments within 14 days after the doctor confirms your inability to work.

7. Dispute Resolution (If Denied or Disputed)

• Request a hearing before a Workers' Compensation Judge.
• File an Application for Adjudication of Claim with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).
• Consider hiring a workers’ compensation attorney to help with your appeal.

8. Return to Work

• If your doctor clears you to return to work, your employer may offer:
• Your previous job (if available).
• A modified or alternative position (if you have work restrictions).
• If no suitable work is available, you may qualify for job displacement benefits.

What Does a Workers' Compensation Attorney Do In Los Angeles?

A workers’ compensation attorney helps injured employees file claims and pursue benefits for work-related injuries. 

This may include support with:

• Filing your workers’ compensation claim
• Seeking benefits for lost wages
• Pursuing coverage for emergency medical care
• Recovering ongoing treatment and rehabilitation costs
• Communicating with the insurance company and your employer
• Gathering and organizing medical records
• Obtaining statements from your doctors
• Tracking important DWC and WCAB deadlines
• Reviewing whether your benefit rate is correct
• Checking if the insurance company properly classified your injury
• Addressing disputes over temporary or permanent disability
• Reviewing modified work restrictions
• Correcting possible wage calculation errors or underpayments
• Preparing you for settlement discussions

An attorney can help reduce the stress of the claims process while you focus on your recovery.

Common Workers' Compensation Claims In Los Angeles

Workers in Los Angeles face many job-related risks, and different industries often involve different types of claims. 

Common workers’ compensation claims include:

• Slips, trips, and falls in busy workplaces
• Lifting injuries in hospitals, nursing homes, and warehouses
• Vehicle accidents involving delivery drivers, rideshare workers, and employees traveling for work
• Repetitive trauma injuries from typing, tool use, or repeated movements
• Construction site injuries involving falls, equipment, or unsafe conditions
• Exposure to harmful substances or unsafe work environments
• Mental health conditions after a traumatic workplace incident
• Injuries involving multiple jobs, overtime, or complicated wage calculations
• Claims affected by union contracts, prior injuries, or return-to-work restrictions

A workers’ compensation lawyer in Los Angeles can help review your job duties, medical needs, and wage history to build a claim that reflects the full impact of your injury.

How Our Firm Handles Denied Or Delayed Claims

Many injured workers contact us after receiving a denial letter, reduced benefits, or delays in treatment approval. Our firm helps Los Angeles workers challenge insurance decisions and move their workers’ compensation claims forward.

We review the insurance company’s explanation, compare it with your medical records and claim forms, and identify issues such as incomplete information, injury misclassification, or errors about how the accident happened. From there, we gather medical support, prepare you for WCAB conferences or hearings, and keep you informed about settlement offers, timelines, and next steps.

We Have Helped Our Clients Collect Millions of Dollars

Since 1991, Attorney Ron Ehrman has been helping injured workers, people who can no longer work because of a disability, and people injured due to negligence by another party get the full and fair monetary compensation they are entitled to. We have recovered millions of dollars for injured workers, including union workers. Remember, you do not need to be a documented citizen to retain an attorney.

"Workers' compensation benefits are not restricted to injured workers employed on construction sites and in factories. Doctors and other licensed professionals, white collar business executives, and office personnel qualify for benefits and may not even know it." - Attorney Ron Ehrman

Maximizing Your Compensation with a Workers' Compensation Lawyer in Los Angeles

We offer in-depth knowledge of the California workers' compensation system and the levels of benefits available to you. Before you file a claim, call us with your questions. Your employer is not likely to tell you everything you need to know about getting the full amount of money, medical care, and other benefits you are entitled to.

Our Los Angeles work injury attorney can help you with benefits such as:

• Medical treatment through a qualified, approved healthcare provider
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits
• Temporary partial disability pay
• Permanent partial disability pay
• Temporary total disability pay
• Permanent total disability pay
• Ongoing physical therapy
• Lump-sum payments

A workers’ comp attorney in Los Angeles can help you avoid mistakes that may affect your benefits, such as returning to work too soon, accepting duties outside your restrictions, or signing forms without understanding them. We review how your injury affects your wages, future earning ability, treatment needs, possible retraining benefits, and any third-party claims.

FAQs About Workers' Compensation in Los Angeles

What Should I Do After a Workplace Accident?

How Is My Compensation Amount Determined?

Your compensation is determined based on several factors, including the severity of your injury, your average weekly wage, and the degree of any resulting disability. In California, temporary disability benefits generally cover two-thirds of your average weekly wage. Calculations for permanent disability benefits involve a more complex formula based on medical assessments and disability ratings. Consulting with a work accident attorney can help you better understand these calculations.

What Happens if My Workers' Compensation Claim Is Denied?

If your claim is denied, you have the right to challenge the decision. Request a detailed explanation for the denial and gather any additional evidence needed to support your claim. Consulting with a work injury lawyer can guide appealing the decision, whether through preparing for a hearing or applying for adjudication with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. Legal support can strengthen your position and improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

Can I Be Fired for Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim?

California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing a workers' compensation claim. If you suspect retaliation, document any relevant instances and seek legal advice promptly to address and resolve the situation. Protecting your rights helps ensure that you receive fair treatment and that employer responsibilities are upheld. Engaging with a job accident attorney can offer the necessary legal support in such circumstances.

Do not face the workers’ compensation process alone after an on-the-job injury. Contact our Los Angeles team today for support with your medical care, lost wages, and claim next steps.