Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld Relentlessly Protecting California Workers' Rights Since 1956

Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Santa Barbara, CA

Certified Specialists Protecting Santa Barbara County Workers Since 1956

Workers’ compensation is employer-paid insurance that covers injuries from a single event and conditions that develop through repeated exposure on the job. A fall, a chemical burn, a vehicle accident while making deliveries, or hearing loss from years of machinery noise can all qualify. California employers are legally required to provide these benefits, but obtaining them often takes more than filing a form.

Our attorneys hold the Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation designation from the State Bar of California, a credential fewer than 5% of workers’ compensation attorneys carry. Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld has been representing injured workers throughout California since 1956, and we’ve helped hundreds of clients in Santa Barbara County navigate the workers’ compensation process. We work on a contingency basis, so you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Free consultations are available.

If you’ve been injured at work, call us today at (805) 243-2179 to speak with a workers’ comp attorney in Santa Barbara who can evaluate your situation at no cost.

California workers’ compensation covers injuries and illnesses across a wide range of job hazards, including:

Slip and fall
Faulty equipment and tools
Electrocution
Burns
Being hit by falling objects
Radiation exposure
Motor vehicle collisions while working
Noise-induced hearing loss
Overexertion injuries

TESTIMONIALS

Hear what Our Clients Have to Say

"I can actually say I am looking forward to working with them."
Her patience in explaining my situation with my case was comforting. No one really explained it in a way I could ever understand. She gave me a sense of hope that I may actually get the help needed under her watch.

- Nakia D.
"They restored my dignity."
This law firm accepted my bogged down nine-year-old Worker's Compensation case from another law office. In less than 12 months, I was awarded a just compensation package. Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld not only fought and won my case, but they restored my dignity.

- Former Client
"They are amazing."
I love Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld. They are amazing, and the case workers are amazing. They understand and hear me in every aspect of my situation, thank you so much.

- Maria G.
"I honestly could not have done it without them."
This is the second time I have used Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld for different types of cases. This is the second time I have received a settlement. I am very grateful for the team. Everyone involved is kind and amazing. I honestly could not have done it without them. I highly recommend!

- Former Client
"When I needed an attorney, I chose Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld."
I am a (former) Workers' Compensation Claims Adjuster, so I know when an attorney is representing their client well. Being injured on the job has given me a keen appreciation of having a smart, compassionate, and proactive attorney in my corner.

- Samuel L.
"You made me feel comfortable, welcomed, cared for, and accepted in an uncertain time."
ou are what I was waiting for. With you, I feel like we are a team. We will win this case together, and I’m certain about it because of you.

- Nestor S.
"Made me feel like I mattered."
Candi made me feel like I mattered. She was very nice and helpful. She made everything so easy, which took away the stress of the issue.

- Carl N.
"They were very dedicated to my case."
Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld law office was professional and amazing. They were very dedicated to my case, and through their persistence, they won my case for disability. I highly recommend them as your advocates and lawyers.

- Scott S.

Read All Reviews

Workers’ Compensation for Santa Barbara County Industries

Santa Barbara County’s workforce spans roughly 13,000 hospitality and tourism jobs alongside major employers in aerospace, defense, technology, agriculture, distribution, and manufacturing. Mission Linen Supply, Jordano’s, MarBorg Industries, and UC Santa Barbara all employ large numbers of workers, many in physically demanding or equipment-intensive roles. Whether you work on a hotel property, a production floor, an agricultural operation, or a distribution warehouse, California law entitles you to workers’ compensation benefits if you’re injured on the job.

What Workers’ Compensation Covers in California

California workers’ compensation insurance covers a broad range of costs tied to a work-related injury or illness:

Emergency and initial medical treatment: Emergency room visits, necessary surgeries, and prescriptions to stabilize the injury.
Follow-up care: Physical therapy, specialist visits, and ongoing treatment required for recovery.
Temporary and permanent disability benefits: Income replacement while you’re unable to work, and long-term benefits if the injury results in lasting impairment.
Lost wages: Compensation for income lost during recovery.
Future lost earnings: Benefits accounting for reduced earning capacity caused by the injury.
Funeral costs: Covered in cases of fatal work injuries.

Call Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld at (805) 243-2179 with questions about your specific situation, or contact us online to reach a workers’ compensation attorney on your schedule.

What Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Do in California

A workers’ comp attorney in Santa Barbara steps in when you aren’t receiving enough in benefits or your claim has been denied. Claims are sometimes rejected or underpaid even when the injury is legitimate. When that happens, you can work with workers’ compensation lawyers to pursue benefits you may be entitled to.

Reviewing Your Eligibility

When we evaluate your case, we identify what establishes your eligibility. If you were injured at your job location, you’re generally covered regardless of fault. Injuries that occurred off-site qualify when you were delivering goods, traveling for work, transporting materials, or being paid for your commute.

Filing an Appeal

If you didn’t receive the benefits owed, you can file a claim. We help correct errors in the original filing, gather additional evidence, and ensure you’ve received the medical evaluation needed to document your injuries fully. After filing an Application for Adjudication of Claim, we request a Declaration of Readiness to Proceed to schedule a hearing before a Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board judge. This informal proceeding gives the judge the opportunity to determine whether the insurance carrier must approve your benefits. Workers’ compensation cases in California are decided by a judge, not a jury, and hearings rely primarily on documentary evidence.

Representation Before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board

Before a hearing, you’ll attend a pre-trial conference where the reasons for the insurance carrier’s denial are evaluated. If the denial doesn’t involve an AOE (arising out of employment) or COE (course of employment) issue, the judge schedules a hearing date. If it does involve an AOE/COE question, an expedited conference is scheduled to move your case forward. After the pre-trial conference, we represent you before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board judge, who decides your entitlement to benefits based on the evidence and the circumstances of your injury.

Common Workers’ Compensation Questions

The following questions come up frequently among injured workers in Santa Barbara County. If your situation isn’t covered below, call us for a free consultation and we’ll review your circumstances directly.

Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation If I Was Injured While Working from Home?

Yes. Workers’ compensation benefits can apply to injuries sustained while working from home. Cumulative conditions are a common example: carpal tunnel syndrome that develops over time during remote work can qualify as a compensable injury under California law.

Can I Work Another Job While Receiving Benefits?

Benefits don’t always cover all monthly expenses, and many workers want to know their options. The answer depends on factors specific to each case. In general, working a second job may be permissible if it doesn’t aggravate the underlying injury. We review each client’s individual circumstances to determine what type of work is permitted while benefits are active.

What Should I Do After a Work Injury?

Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible. Under California Labor Code Section 5401, your employer is legally required to provide you with a DWC-1 claim form within one working day of being notified of the accident. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. In that case, your employer must provide the DWC-1 form within one working day of your release from the hospital. Notify your employer within 30 days of the accident to avoid a reduction or denial of benefits.

We recommend reviewing the workers’ compensation posting your employer is required to display in a visible location, such as a break room. We’re also available to answer any questions you have about your rights under California labor law.

What If My Work Injury Results in Disability?

A work injury that causes lasting impairment may open several benefit avenues. You may qualify for permanent disability benefits under California workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Workers whose pre-existing condition was worsened by a subsequent work-related injury may also be eligible for benefits through the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). We help clients determine which combination of benefits may apply to their situation.

Speak with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Santa Barbara

If you were injured on the job and aren’t sure your claim was handled correctly, contact Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld for a free consultation. We advocate relentlessly for injured workers throughout Santa Barbara County, pursuing every available benefit avenue on a contingency basis. You pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Call us at (805) 243-2179 or contact our Santa Barbara workers’ compensation attorneys online to schedule your free consultation today.

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