Workers' Compensation Attorney Ventura, CA

An illness or injury can be a major setback for you financially, and this can create a lot of stress for you and your family. With professional guidance, you can receive the help you need on your application. 

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a type of business insurance that protects your employer when you are harmed after an accident or falling ill. It covers lost wages and also will cover the medical care you need. The coverage is designed so that instead of suing for your damages, you submit a case and receive compensation based on how severe your injuries were. There are specific requirements you have to fulfill before your application can be approved.

What Makes You Eligible?

The rules for workers’ compensation are strict and require you to be an employee of your organization when you fall ill or get into an accident. The accident has to occur on the premises of your employer or while you are traveling for work. This includes commuting as well, which is paid delivery and transportation of goods. Additionally, you can’t be doing any illegal activity as this will immediately disqualify you from receiving benefits. You will also have to be performing your job properly. Any inappropriate activity that happened before the accident will likely get you blamed for the incident. If you are not using equipment or machinery as they were intended to, and you get harmed, for example, then you cannot receive compensation. 

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

Your workers’ compensation covers paid time off when you are injured or sick. You have to be employed and not fired or laid off when you claim your compensation. Maternal or paternal leave and pregnancy are also covered under this plan. If you suffer from a short-term or long-term disability due to an injury at your job location, this will be included in the coverage. However, if you are unable to do your work after an extended time, your job may decide to lay you off even if the disability wasn’t your fault. You can expect lost wages, medical bills, ongoing expenses, and funeral costs to be paid for while you are waiting to recover. 

Is it Worth Getting a Workers’ Comp Attorney?

Your Santa Barbara workers’ compensation lawyer can greatly improve your chances of getting your benefits approved for disbursement. This is because they are very experienced in the industry of workers’ compensation insurance and know what damages the coverage will include in their services. Your attorney will know what your employer is or is not liable for, based on your current circumstances and how you became injured or ill. 

In addition to guidance on your application and its format, they can inform you on what evidence and information you need to include. If your application is denied, you can file and an appeal. Your attorney will represent your case in the best light during your hearing to help secure your compensation. 

Better yet, a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation can provide even more expertise. At Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld, we have many Certified Specialists who review all claims.

What Percentage Does a Workers’ Comp Attorney Get in California?

Lawyers representing you in your claim will typically charge anywhere between 15% to 20% of your settlement. This means that when you receive your payments, they will remove this amount from the final total. Ultimately, the judge approves the final amount after you are rewarded with your settlement. 

How Long Do You Have to Sue for Workers’ Comp?

While you cannot sue for your workers’ compensation in a civil lawsuit, workers’ compensation insurance is designed to provide aid to employees who encounter unfortunate circumstances without having to demonstrate employer fault. The time period for applying for workers’ compensation benefits is generally one year from the date of the injury.