If you’re injured while you’re working in the Los Angeles area, it’s likely you’ll be told that the only compensation you are eligible to receive is the workers’ compensation offered through your employer’s insurance company. In some cases that’s true, and you need to apply for workers’ comp promptly with the help of a trustworthy and experienced Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney. However, you may wonder if workers’ compensation will be enough. When your injuries are serious, it won’t be. Medical bills and related expenses pile up quickly, but in some situations an injured worker may be able to sue – or may need to sue – for other damages. Those situations include but may not be limited to:
– if you are injured by a defective product, defective equipment, or a toxic substance
– if your employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance
– if a third party, such as a car or truck driver, caused your injury
– if you were injured because of an employer’s intentionally hostile, negligent, or illegal conduct
Injured California workers have a legal right to pursue damages apart from workers’ compensation. While workers may receive basic benefits through workers’ compensation, the payments are barely adequate and will not compensate you for pain or suffering. Workers’ comp does not provide punitive damages or penalize employers for allowing dangerous workplace conditions.
In the greater Los Angeles area, a knowledgeable Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney can evaluate your case, explain your options, and guide you through the difficult legal landscape of workers’ compensation and personal injury law. Don’t wait; if you’ve suffered a workplace injury in southern California, you need to act quickly to receive all of the benefits that are legally yours. Protect yourself and contact an experienced Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney as quickly as possible to discuss your rights and options under California law.