California Municipal Employees Workers’ Comp Lawyer

California Municipal Employees Workers’ Comp Attorneys

The municipal employees of California face unique challenges and risks in their daily lives at work. Between maintaining public spaces to ensuring that the operations of their city run smoothly, the potential for injuries on the job is significant. Having a California municipal employees workers’ comp lawyer on your team can make a huge difference in your recovery. A skilled attorney can represent your interests and secure the benefits you need, which are entitled to you under California law.

At Wiesner English, P.C., we have spent years understanding the specific legal needs of the municipal employee community who experience unnecessary workplace injuries. Our team of attorneys understands how to apply the workers’ compensation laws of California to boost the success of job-related injury claims and disability benefits. Contact us as soon as you can. We can help you recover the funds you need so that you can return to work with confidence.

What Are the Most Common Issues for California Municipal Employees?

Just like other public sector workers, California municipal employees can face many different issues that impact how satisfied they are at work, the quality of their performance, and the type of legal support they need. Some of the most prevalent workplace injury issues that arise in this space include:

Physical Injuries

In many municipal roles, such as construction or maintenance, physical injuries are an inherent risk when performing certain tasks. Some common injuries that can invoke a workers’ comp claim include minor injuries, like cuts and bruises, and more serious incidents of broken bones, head traumas, and even life-threatening conditions. Many of these injuries are caused by very common workplace injury incidents, such as slips and falls or the mishandling of machinery.

Unfortunately, the implications of these physical injuries can be really substantial in a municipal employee’s life. It could include really long recovery periods that keep them out of work, the need for ongoing medical care that can generate a ton of medical bills, and even the possibility of facing lifelong disabilities. All of this qualifies for a California workers’ compensation claim.

Psychological Injuries

Many municipal positions in California can expose employees to extremely stressful situations. These can cause psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Police officers, firefighters, and anyone who offers emergency medical services can fall into this category.

Acknowledging these conditions can be more complicated than physical injuries, as it can be more difficult to quantify the impact of an individual’s mental health complications. An attorney can compellingly explain these conditions and maximize your settlement.

What Are Common Workers’ Comp Challenges for California Municipal Employees?

There are many different workers’ compensation challenges that can cause difficulties for the state’s municipal employees. Some of the most common include:

Navigating Bureaucracy

The workers’ compensation system can be highly bureaucratic. There are many strict rules and procedures in place, and a claimant and their attorney must remain compliant to avoid jeopardizing a case. A workers’ compensation attorney can ensure that all necessary paperwork is filled out and submitted on time to prevent any unnecessary delays in the claim being processed.

Proving Work-Related Injuries

To secure the financial benefits of the workers’ compensation system, the injured party is required to link their specific injuries to an event or activity at work. Depending on the nature of the injuries, this can be really challenging, especially for more minor and slow-developing injuries. For example, repetitive stress on parts of the body can slowly build up injuries for an employee. These can be unrecognizable until months or years later.

Sometimes, a claim could be denied by an insurer if they suspect that the injury was not caused by work activity but rather was a pre-existing condition. To combat this, an attorney can help their client legally collect compelling evidence, which can prove that the injury did not exist before the workplace accident and that it qualifies for compensation.

FAQs

Q: How Much Do Workers’ Comp Lawyers Charge in California?

A: Many California workers’ compensation lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they will only get paid for their services if the case is won. The exact percentage they will collect varies based on the attorney you hire. To ensure that it’s a percentage you are comfortable with, bring this up during your first meeting with an attorney.

Q: Can You Sue Workers’ Comp for Negligence in California?

A: You generally are unable to sue your employer or the workers’ compensation system for negligence if you are already receiving these benefits. The system is classified as a “no-fault system,” which means that they will fund an individual’s recovery period, no matter who was at fault for the reported injuries. However, you do have grounds to sue any third party that is unrelated to your employer while you are still receiving money from workers’ compensation.

Q: How Long Does It Take a Judge to Approve a Workers’ Comp Settlement in California?

A: Many different factors will impact the length of time before a judge approves a workers’ compensation settlement in California. Complicated cases often take a longer time to investigate and place fault, and that is the primary reason why receiving a judge’s approval might take longer than expected. If there are any gaps in the evidence that don’t clearly illustrate what happened, a judge might request more information before issuing a final verdict.

Q: What Are My Rights Under Workers’ Compensation in California?

A: All municipal employees in California have the right to receive medical treatment for their injuries and be reimbursed for the bill under the workers’ compensation system. These rights also extend to receiving disability benefits if you are unable to work. For anyone who does not feel like their case ended in a fair decision, you have the right to make an appeal with your workers’ compensation attorney.

Contact Wiesner English, P.C., Today

If you are a municipal employee in California and have recently experienced an accident at work, contact the workers’ compensation attorneys of Wiesner English, P.C., as soon as you can. We can take on your case and maximize the amount of money that you receive so that you can recover. Contact us today to get started.