Most employees in California find comfort in the fact that their employers will have their backs if they should suffer work-related injuries. However, they might not be aware of the requirements for filing workers’ compensation benefits claims. They can also benefit from learning which benefits they could expect to receive in the event of an occupational illness or injury.
When it comes to deadlines, an injured worker must inform the employer in writing about the injury within 30 days. The injured worker must then be provided with a workers’ compensation claim form within one day. He or she has one year to file a benefits claim. Injured workers are typically eligible for benefits that will cover their medical expenses and two-thirds of their regular wages for a period of temporary disability.
Workers whose injuries cause permanent mental or physical impairment might receive additional disability payments. Workers whose disabling injuries prevent them from returning to the same occupation might receive retraining payments that will enable them to learn new skills and work in a different capacity. In the event of a worker’s death in a work-related accident, the surviving family members can claim death benefits to cover the funeral and burial along with a financial package to make up for lost wages.
Just like with any other law, workers’ compensation laws have exceptions that might affect an injured worker’s eligibility to benefits. It is always a good idea to consult with a California attorney who has experience in dealing with all aspects of workers’ compensation benefits claims. A lawyer can assess the circumstances of the injury, and work toward obtaining maximum benefits for the client under applicable laws.