How Can I Receive Worker’s Compensation In California?

There is a lot that goes through your mind if you are injured on the job.

In addition to the immediate concerns of how badly you are hurt and if you are going to be ok, there are many questions that follow. If you have to miss time at work or have medical procedures performed, how do you pay for everything?

Fortunately, California is one of the places that require employers to have worker’s compensation insurance. This guarantees employees all across the state that if they are hurt or become ill while performing any type of work-related duty, they are entitled to receive workers’ compensation money.

This protects workers from things such as not having enough money to pay bills, provide for their families, or cover other expenses.

But what exactly does it take to qualify, and how can you know if you meet the criteria? Well, the first thing you should always do is consult with an attorney to get an expert, more-precise opinion. However, if you haven’t reached that point yet, here is more information about worker’s comp in California:

Understanding How The Process And Amounts Work

From the time you are injured on the job, the wheels regarding worker’s comp go into motion. The insurance company will be notified ASAP. Any preliminary paperwork should be getting started soon after.

In certain instances, the state might even intercede to provide some type of care or further funds. Only a legal professional would be able to give you a more accurate estimate. Regardless, workers compensation money is usually paid out in one or more of 5 ways:

Different Types of Disabilities in California

If you qualify for worker’s comp, it will be one of the following options. You may qualify for one at the beginning, but then your condition changes, and you qualify for another. It is possible that you may receive multiple benefits at the same time.

Here are the different options:

1. Receiving Temporary Disability Benefits

If you are unable to perform your job responsibilities due to an injury or illness but will or may return later, you could be entitled to temporary benefits. Verification of this usually only requires documentation from a licensed physician.

Standard compensation, according to California law, is 2/3rds of your weekly salary. There are also partial temporary benefits in cases where you can work limited hours or light duty.

2. Receiving Permanent Disability Benefits

When an illness or injury suffered from the job is deemed to be permanent, resulting in the long-term inability to work, this should qualify for permanent benefits. Once again, a doctor must determine that the issue is permanent and no amount of therapy or care will correct it.

This leads to a one-time settlement to be determined by several factors, including:

• Injuries
• Age
• Loss of wages
• Occupation

3. Receiving Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits

This type of compensation comes from employers who have not made any other offers in the last 60 days. It goes up to $6000 and is meant for the recipient to use to become trained and certified in another line of work. And the state of California will send you an additional $5000 for being enrolled in reeducation classes.

4. Receiving Medical Benefits

Medical benefits went beyond lost wages and reimbursed workers’ compensation money. They cover the fees and expenses associated with hospital stays and medical procedures. It is important to note that it is against the law for a doctor or medical facility to bill patients directly who are suffering from job-related issues.

5. Receiving Death Benefits

In the most tragic of circumstances, it may be necessary for your family to be compensated in the form of death benefits.

Death benefits in California are determined as follows:

• 1 dependent ($250,000)
• 2 dependents ($290,000)
• 3 dependents ($320,000)
• Up to $10,000 in burial fees

How to Find Out What You May Qualify for in Workers Compensation Money

Now that you understand the basics of qualifying for and receiving worker’s comp in the golden state, anything further will most likely need to come from a qualified attorney.

Consult with someone who has the legal know-how and experience to deal with these cases and can tell you what you are entitled to based on the details of your case.

That way, you can be confident that your case will receive the attention it deserves and that you and your family are compensated fairly.

Read Also:

• Employee Compensation 101: What Your Org Needs To Know
• Learn About Doing Light-Duty Work While Receiving Worker’s Compensation Benefits
• What Are Compensation Claims? What Are The Types Of Injuries Covered?