In California, workers' compensation laws are put in place to ensure that you are fully protected if you are ever injured while you are working. If you do receive a work-related injury, you are entitled to specific benefits that will help you pay for your medical care and any lost wages you may incur. After receiving immediate medical attention, you may want to contact an attorney who specializes in work-related injuries. They will be able to guide you through the process and take advantage of all the benefits you are entitled to.
In California, your workers' compensation benefits include coverage for your medical expenses (including mileage), loss of wages, temporary or permanent disability, and job displacement benefits in case you need to be retrained to do a different type of job that you are unfamiliar with. After you are injured, it's important to explore all of your benefits to know what you are entitled to.
You will receive compensation for any medical treatment you receive for injuries sustained during your work-related accident. This will normally also cover any secondary issues that may be directly related to your accident and recovery. You can also claim mileage reimbursement for traveling to and from your doctor's appointments.
When a worker receives temporary disability benefits, they will receive approximately two-thirds of their average weekly pay. These benefits are only available for a limited amount of time. In most cases, benefits will stop after 104 weeks and must be claimed within five years of the date of the original injury. Temporary disability will end when it is determined that you can successfully go back to work in some capacity.
Permanent disability benefits are considered to be long-term and cap out at $290 per week. Payments will be made for a specific period of time that is determined by the degree of disability they experience. The permanent disability benefits you will receive are determined by the degree of permanent functional loss ranging from 0% to 100%. The higher your degree of disability, the longer you will receive your benefits.
An injured worker who can't return to his previous job due to his injuries is eligible to be compensated for any training they may need in order to be considered for another position. Their condition must be stabilized and their disability must be permanent. If this is the case, the worker will be entitled to a voucher for up to $6,000 that must be used for being retrained.
Late payment penalties do apply if an insurance company is late in providing benefits to a recipient. In some cases, if a payment is late for any reason, the insurance company may be required to pay up to 25% or a quarter of the amount that was supposed to have been paid. Even if there is a valid reason for the payment being late, you are still entitled to on-time payments from the insurance company.
Dealing with a work-related injury can be frustrating. You are not only dealing with your recovery; you may have to deal with learning a new line of work as well. Talking to your insurance agent will help you figure out what you need to do next. If you own a company and need to purchase workers' compensation for your employees, call the professional agents at Fuller Insurance Agency. We will make sure that both you and your employees are fully taken care of.
