Make your claim easier, successful, and financially meaningful with SoCal Workers Comp.
Balancing your treatment and your insurance claim is a full-time job. At SoCal Workers Comp, our process is intended to make life easier for you by professionally managing both. And if necessary, we will aggressively fight for your rights and never back down from representing your best interests.
SoCal Workers Comp provides comprehensive services for injured workers, but the workers’ comp process for California employees can be difficult to understand. Part of our role, and one purpose of a workers comp attorney, is helping you and your loved ones understand how claims proceed and how workers’ compensation attorneys can help you.
Injured workers must submit a completed version of the Division of Workers’ Compensation Form 1 to a manager within 30 days of the accident.
Filing also includes submitting a completed version of the Application for Adjudication of Claim to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and submitting a Declaration according to the Labor Code. The submittals must include the DWC cover sheet and document separator sheet and be filed within one year of the accident.
The insurance company must decide to approve or deny your claim within 90 days following notice of the accident to your employer.
Your SoCal Workers Comp attorney can handle the filing process and confirm that the applications have been submitted.
If your claim is approved you can begin to collect workers' compensation benefits that may include:
If you disagree with your doctor’s report with the insurance company at any time, a medical evaluator can intervene to resolve the matter.
Your SoCal Workers Comp attorney will assist with the resolution process.
If your claim is denied, the workers’ comp process for California employees includes the right to challenge a decision by filing a case.
Filing a case entails meeting filing deadlines with the Division of Workers’ Compensation and your claims administrator, and scheduling a hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. This is like a trial before a judge.
SoCal Workers Comp can handle the filing process and argue your case at your hearing.
While you wait on your appeal, it is important to continue treatment. You can pay these costs and seek reimbursement later if the decision is overturned.
SoCal Workers Comp can refer you to doctors who agree to treat you for no cost upfront through a “medical lien.” Workers’ compensation attorneys also work with doctors to produce helpful reports for your hearing.
At the hearing, you and the claims administrator (or your attorneys) meet with a judge to discuss a possible settlement.
If there is no settlement, there will be a trial. After the trial, the judge will issue a written decision between 30 and 90 days after the trial.
We can help with your trial by documenting the dispute, presenting evidence and witnesses, and arguing your case.
A settlement or award will determine the amount of temporary or permanent disability payments you will receive, the medical care that will be paid for, and whether your payments will be made periodically or in a lump sum.
Contact SoCal Workers Comp for help with treatment & compensation