Even if you have never worried about a workplace injury or illness before, the reality is that you can always suffer an injury at work and then start to worry about who is liable for the medical bills and how you are going to cope financially if you have to take time off work. In California, workers’ compensation requirements make it compulsory to have workers’ compensation insurance. There are very few employees who are not covered by this type of insurance but they may need to file a personal injury claim instead. A workers’ comp. lawyer in Santa Ana can help you make the right decision. Selecting a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Santa Ana There is a huge number of workers’ compensation lawyers in Santa Ana. Around 650 attorneys in the city have experience in these sorts of claims and may be able to provide personal injury assistance as well. It is always advisable to select an attorney who is licensed and has the relevant experience in the sort of claim you are considering. What are the Most Likely Injuries at Work in Santa Ana? Any workplace can experience the occasional accident but some are more accident prone than others. Generally, it is much safer to work in an office environment in Santa Ana than in the transportation industry or drive a city bus. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps an annual record of workplace injuries, both non-fatal and fatal. The 2016 data* shows that both the construction and transportation industries are the most likely places for accidents at work and workplace related injuries. Transportation injuries are quite varied. Common injuries in this sector are collisions on the highways and city streets. Heavy lifting can cause back and neck strain and disc dislocations. Defects in truck and bus working equipment can lead to crashes and injuries. The Workers’ Compensation Process in California If you are injured, or become ill at work, and your employer is insured, you should file a workers’ compensation claim within one year of the injury or diagnosis of the illness. Before the claim is filed make sure you have informed your employer about the accident and the nature of the injury. There will be an accident report to be filled in as well. Not every workers’ comp. claim is accepted. If the claim is denied, you may be able to make an appeal through the state’s Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC). Your workers’ compensation lawyer can help you with an appeal. In the rare event that you have no workers’ compensation cover, you may still be able to obtain compensation following an injury at work. Talk to a workers’ compensation or personal injury lawyer first before filing a claim. You have two years from the injury to submit a claim. A personal injury claim can be filed at the Orange County Superior Court at Santa Ana Boulevard. It is open from 7.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday, except public holidays. Use a Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable Lawyer Whether you are claiming through workers’ compensation or personal injury, an experienced lawyer can be of great assistance. With so many suitable lawyers in Santa Ana, the selection process can seem daunting. That’s when our free claim evaluation form can be of real help. It can be found below. Don’t forget that all claims must be filed within the state’s statute of limitations, 1 year for workers’ comp. and 2 years for personal injuries. Helpful Resources What Is The Workers’ Compensation Filing Process In California? Denied Benefits in California? Finding a Workers' Compensation Attorney in California Workers’ Compensation California *Source: dir.ca.gov/oprl/Injuries/2015/2015Table2.pdf
