Injured at Work? Know Your Rights Under California’s Workers’ Compensation Law

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a system that provides medical care, wage replacement, and disability benefits to employees injured in the course of employment—regardless of fault.

California law requires most employers to carry workers’ comp insurance. In exchange, workers generally cannot sue their employer directly for work-related injuries. But while the law is meant to protect you, employers and insurers often try to:

• Downplay the seriousness of your injury
• Deny that the injury occurred on the job
• Delay treatment or benefits
• Force you back to work before you’re ready

That’s where legal representation becomes essential.

Common Types of Work-Related Injuries

We handle a wide variety of workplace injury claims, including:

• Construction accidents (falls, machinery injuries, electrocution)
• Repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel, tendonitis)
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents at work
• Back and neck injuries from lifting or overexertion
• Burns and chemical exposure
• Head injuries from falling objects or impact
• Workplace violence or traumatic events
• Motor vehicle accidents while on the job
• Occupational illness (toxic exposure, respiratory disease)

Whether you work on a job site, in an office, at a hospital, or on the road, if your injury occurred while performing your job duties, you may be entitled to benefits.

What Benefits Are Available Under California Workers’ Comp?

The California workers’ comp system provides several types of benefits:

1. Medical Benefits

• All necessary and reasonable medical treatment
• No out-of-pocket costs for authorized care
• Includes surgery, medications, physical therapy, and medical devices

2. Temporary Disability Benefits

• Wage replacement if you’re unable to work during recovery
• Typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage (subject to legal caps)

3. Permanent Disability Benefits

• Compensation for lasting impairment
• Amount varies depending on the severity of your condition and how it affects your ability to work

4. Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits

• Vouchers for retraining or education if you cannot return to your prior job

5. Death Benefits

• Payments to dependents if a worker dies due to a job-related injury

Despite these protections, claims are frequently challenged, denied, or underpaid. That’s where we come in.

Why Are So Many Workers’ Comp Claims Denied or Delayed?

Employers and insurance carriers have a financial incentive to limit payouts. They may argue:

• The injury is not work-related
• You had a pre-existing condition
• You didn’t report the injury fast enough
• You didn’t follow their approved medical process
• You’re well enough to return to work—even if you’re not

These tactics can leave injured workers without treatment, income, or clarity. At California Trial Law Group, PC, we push back with aggressive advocacy, making sure insurers follow the law—and protect your health.

How We Help Injured Workers

Our legal team guides you through every step of the workers’ compensation process. We:

• File your initial claim accurately and on time
• Help you select or change your treating physician
• Gather medical records and expert reports
• Appeal denied claims or undervalued benefits
• Represent you in hearings before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
• Negotiate settlements when appropriate

We understand the system. We speak their language. And we know how to secure results.

Your Employer Can’t Legally Retaliate—And We’ll Make Sure They Don’t

Many injured workers fear retaliation for filing a claim. But California law prohibits employers from firing, demoting, or harassing workers for exercising their workers’ compensation rights.

If you’ve been punished or pressured because of your injury claim, we can take additional legal action for retaliation or wrongful termination.

Act Fast—Deadlines Matter

There are strict timelines for reporting work-related injuries and filing claims. In California:

• You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days
• You typically have one year to file a workers’ compensation claim

Missing a deadline could forfeit your benefits. That’s why it’s critical to act quickly and consult an attorney as early as possible.

Injured at Work? Let Us Be Your Legal Safety Net.

At California Trial Law Group, PC, we believe that every injured worker deserves access to fair compensation, quality care, and respectful treatment. Don’t let your employer or their insurer minimize your pain or delay your healing.

Let our team handle the paperwork, the phone calls, the denials, and the deadlines—so you can focus on getting better. Call us today for a free consultation, and let us start fighting for the benefits you’re entitled to.

TESTIMONIALS

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