Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Orange County

Getting injured at work is a very real possibility for California employees, especially those in dangerous industries like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. When a workplace injury does occur, the workers’ compensation system makes it easy for employees to get the benefits they need.

While the workers’ compensation system is generally very straightforward, disputes may arise. If you’re facing pushback on a workers’ compensation claim or dealing with a fraudulent claim, an attorney can help.

Explore our verified Orange County workers’ compensation attorneys to find the right one for your claim.

Orange County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers:

Law Offices of Geraldine Ly...

333 S Anita Dr Suite 855, Orange, CA 92868
333 S Anita Dr Suite 855, Orange, CA 92868

Montoya Law...

1063 N. Glassell Street 2nd Floor Orange, CA 92867
1063 N. Glassell Street 2nd Floor Orange, CA 92867

Briles Law Group...

17701 Cowan Suite 240 Irvine, CA 92614
17701 Cowan Suite 240 Irvine, CA 92614

William W. Green & Ass....

3419 Via Lido, Ste. #607 Newport Beach, CA 92663
3419 Via Lido, Ste. #607 Newport Beach, CA 92663

Helpful Information About Choosing a Workers’ Comp Lawyer

  • You can research the Bar license status, suspensions or reprimands of an attorney at the California Bar Association website.
  • The California Bar Association offers a “Specialty” certification for workers’ compensation for highly complex claims. It may not be necessary for you to work with a California Certified Bar Specialist in Workers’ Compensation law, but you should discuss the pros & cons of this with any attorney you talk to.
  • Some attorneys will be able to meet with you at their office, the hospital, or over Zoom. It’s important to ask these questions when you call.

How Much do Workers’ Comp Lawyers Charge in California

how much do workers comp lawyers charge?In California, workers’ compensation lawyers are typically paid on a contingency fee basis (“no win, no fee“), meaning they only receive a fee if they successfully obtain benefits for the injured worker. Unlike many other areas of law, attorneys in workers’ compensation claims do not charge hourly rates or upfront retainers. This structure ensures injured employees can access legal representation regardless of their financial situation.

Attorney fees in California workers’ compensation cases are strictly regulated by law and must be approved by a workers’ compensation judge. Fees generally range from 9% to 15% of the benefits recovered, depending on the complexity of the case and the work performed by the attorney. The fee is deducted directly from the settlement or award – not paid out of pocket by the injured worker.

Importantly, consultations with a California workers’ compensation lawyer are almost always free, and there is no financial risk in seeking legal advice. If no benefits are awarded, the attorney doesn’t get paid. This system is designed to protect injured workers while ensuring they have strong legal advocacy throughout the claims process.

How Workers’ Compensation Works in California

After an employee is injured, they report the injury to their employer. From there, they seek out medical care from an approved care provider while the employer files the claim with their workers’ compensation insurance provider. Once the claim is approved, the employee is entitled to receive medical care paid for by the insurance company, temporary disability payments, and other benefits as needed.

Other benefits include retraining coverage for employees who cannot return to their previous line of work, permanent disability for those who will never recover fully from their injury, and death benefits to family members of deceased employees.

The system protects both parties. Employees are guaranteed to receive limited income replacement and covered medical care. Employers are legally protected from personal injury claims.

Relevant Workers’ Comp Laws

California, known for its extensive workers’ rights, also grants them substantial protections in the workers’ compensation system. An employer is required to provide a claim form to an employee no later than one day after being informed of their injury. During that time-frame, they must also authorize medical treatment up to a total cost of $10,000 while waiting for the claim to go through the insurance company. The insurance company only has 90 days to deny the claim.

Denied Workers’ Compensation Claims

Orange County workers comp lawyerPerhaps the most common legal issue that arises in this field is a denied claim. Workers’ compensation insurance companies have a wide variety of reasons for denying claims, but they often deny valid claims.

When this happens, the injured employee can take their case before a judge. This involves filing the Application for Adjudication of Claim, submitting necessary documentation, and notifying the insurance provider of their intent to file.

Another issue that may arise is retaliation. While employees are legally permitted to file workers’ compensation claims, regardless of who is at fault for their injury, some employers do attempt to discourage workers’ compensation claims.

They may do this in an effort to make their statistics look better or avoid an increase in premiums.

If an employer decreases an employee’s hours, denies them advancement opportunities, or fires them in retaliation for an injury report, the employee may have to take further legal action.

Find Your Work Injury Attorney Today

The workers’ compensation system in California is highly regulated. Whether you fall on the employer or employee side of the equation, it’s a good idea to have an attorney advocating for you. Use the resources and attorney listings on this page to reach out to a work injury lawyer in Orange County that can answer your questions and help you with your claim.

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