Have you been injured in the workplace?

Contact us. We can help.

We have been helping injured San Francisco Bay Area workers get the compensation and benefits they're entitled to for over 35 years.

Most workers are in the dark when it comes to understanding their rights under workers compensation.  An experienced workers compensation attorney can make all the difference in the world in navigating you through the workers’ compensation process.  An experienced attorney will understand the process and provide a level playing field for you, the injured worker.

The primary benefits under California workers compensation are medical treatment, temporary disability, permanent disability, job displacement voucher, and death benefits. Other benefits are available if the employer is uninsured, discriminates, or acts in a serious and willful manner. 

Consult with an experienced workers' compensation attorney.

One of the first steps in the workers compensation process is to take charge of your medical treatment.  In so doing you will keep control of your case.  A next important step is to secure temporary disability (TD) from the insurance company.  If this benefit is denied or delayed you may qualify and you should immediately apply for state disability insurance (SDI) from the Employment Development Department (EDD). 

If medical treatment or temporary disability benefits are wrongfully denied you are usually entitled to an emergency hearing in front of a judge at the local Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (Expedited Hearing).

Once your treating doctor determines that your condition becomes permanent and stationary (P&S) your right to temporary disability ends and your right to permanent disability (PD) benefits begins. 

Job Retraining

You may be entitled to a retraining voucher (supplemental job displacement voucher) if your employer is unable to provide you a job within 60 days after your last TD payment.  The value of the voucher ranges from $4,000 to $10,000, depending on your level of PD.

PD is measured in percentages ranging from 0 to 100.  Each percentage corresponds to a dollar figure set forth in the California Labor Code.

Settlement of Workers' Compensation Claims

Most workers’ compensation claims are settled by way of a lump sum (Compromise and Release) or an installment sum (Stipulated Award) and there are advantages and disadvantages associated with each.  The minority of cases that do not settle are assigned to a workers’ compensation judge for trial and decision.  Once decided an award can be appealed to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and thereafter, to the California Court of Appeal and the California Supreme Court.