Workplace injuries can be very distressing. Who is going to pay for medical treatment and how are you going to cope when you can’t go back to work immediately? Fortunately, if you have been injured, or have suffered a work related illness in Bakersfield, then you should be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Talk to a Bakersfield workers’ compensation attorney about filing a claim. Choosing a Workers’ Comp. Attorney in Bakersfield Bakersfield has a modest number of attorneys who offer legal assistance for workers’ compensation claimants. There are around 50 attorneys registered in the city who deal with workers’ compensation. Attorneys can provide advice to help you sort out what you need to get your claim off the ground and can be invaluable if there are any problems with your claim. It is not uncommon for a workers’ comp. claim to be denied initially by the insurer and it is then necessary to either appeal the decision or file a personal injury claim instead. Common Workplace Injuries in Bakersfield Bakersfield has a large number of different occupations and it is quite possible to suffer an injury in any workplace. Even in workplaces which seem to be very safe like many office jobs, it is still possible to have an unexpected slip and fall injury or suffer a shock through the use of a faulty electrical appliance or connection. The largest number of injuries is typically in the transportation and construction industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, a federal agency, keeps a database of non-fatal and fatal injuries across each state, with 2016 being the latest set of data. The statistics for California* do show that there are more fatal injuries in the transportation industry than anything else. Transportation injuries, fatal and non-fatal are principally caused by collisions with other vehicles. The Workers’ Compensation Process in California Nearly every employer in California is expected to provide insurance cover for their employees through a private carrier, or through self-insurance. Even employers who only employ a single employee must by law carry workers’ compensation insurance. You are expected to let your supervisor, or employer, know about your injury or illness as soon as you can. The employer will have an accident form or book which you should also fill in with the details of the accident, how it happened and the nature of the injury, date and time. You must also file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer’s insurer, within 12 months of the injury, unless there are complications. You may need to appeal if the insurer denies the claim. You do this through the Bakersfield branch of the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). If you are in the unfortunate situation where workers’ comp. is not available, and you have proof that your employer’s negligence caused your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Your attorney can help prepare a suitable claim which should be filed with the Kern County Superior Court in Truxton Avenue, which is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, except public holidays. Use a Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable Bakersfield Attorney It can be difficult deciding which attorney would suit your requirements best when you decide to either file a workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim. Even when a city like Bakersfield only has 50 attorneys to choose from it can be difficult to make the choice. That’s when our free claim evaluation form can be of real help. It’s available for completion on this page. Don’t forget that California’s strict statute of limitation imposes a limit on the time allowed for claims to be submitted, so don’t leave it too late before initiating a claim. Additional Resources Workers' Compensation Attorneys in California Workers' Compensation in California *Source: bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/tgs/2016/iiffw06.htm
