Contact A Visalia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer To Get The Right Compensation
If you were injured while at work, we recommend that you contact an injury attorney immediately. Understanding your rights is very vital to securing the compensation that you deserve. An injury or illness in the workplace could result in you not getting your regular paychecks but you still need to pay your bills. You should not have to drain your savings just to make ends meet. When you contact an experienced Visalia workers’ comp attorney, they will guide you on how to file a compensation claim.
The work injury lawyers at Pacific Attorney Group will help you in such circumstances. The attorneys will investigate your accident and show you how to recover a work injury settlement. In a situation where an injury was caused by a third party, the attorney will represent you in a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.
California Work Injury Statistics
According to the most recent data, California saw an increase in workplace fatalities in 2018. The California Department of Industrial Relations reported that 422 employees died as a result of California workplace accidents that year. This was an increase of 12% compared to the previous year, which recorded 376 fatalities.
A high percentage of those who died in the workplace in 2018 were Latinos. According to Cal/OSHA, they represented 43% of all the fatalities in 2018. The rate of fatal workplace injuries per 100,000 workers remains lower than the overall US average. In 2018, the rate for California was 2.3 per 100,000 workers, while the US average was 3.5.
Some occupations record higher fatal incidents than others. 36.7% of all fatalities in 2018 in California were transportation accidents while 14.7% were due to homicides. The Cal/OSHA is still ensuring that employers follow the regulations that have been put in place to make the workplaces safe for the employees and to avoid injuries and deaths.
Common Workplace Accidents
The work injury attorneys at our firm handle a wide range of work-related injuries. Some of the most common claims we handle include:
People who work in the construction industry face numerous risks of getting injured in their day to day work life. The risks include construction vehicles, heavy machinery, falling from heights, and vehicles passing through work zones. Injuries could be due to accidents or negligence on the part of the employer or other coworkers. Whatever the injury sustained in a construction accident, our attorneys have all the necessary legal information on how to seek compensation
- Auto Accidents
Accidents involving vehicles are common to people who work around them or operate them daily. People can be injured by being struck by a vehicle or colliding with other drivers. These accidents can result in serious injuries to those involved. It is important to seek maximum compensation for auto accident injuries, which could be catastrophic and need a lot of finances to treat.
- Forklift Accidents
People who work in warehouses, retail and construction sites use forklifts almost everyday. Such workers need to be well trained to safely operate these vehicles. Lack of the required skills or negligence can lead to life-changing injuries to the operators or other workers in the vicinity. People injured in forklift accidents have a right to workers compensation.
- Heavy Machinery Accidents
People who are surrounded by heavy equipment and machinery in the work area are always at risk of being crushed should a malfunction occur. Proper training and qualifications are required for people to safely work in such workplaces to avoid machinery accidents. Employers are also required to conduct regular checks on machinery to ensure that they are in proper condition.
Common Injuries in the Workplace
If you are injured at work, an attorney will review the situation, and guide you on how to file a compensation claim. Common injuries reported by workers in Visalia include;
- Amputations
- Bone fractures
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dislocated joints
- Hearing loss
- Lacerations
- Neck and back injuries
- Paralysis
- Respiratory injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Vision loss
Compensation for Work-Related Injuries
Workers injured on the job are entitled to workers compensation benefits. Benefits under the cover include;
- Medical benefits- for treating injuries
- Permanent Disability benefits-compensation for the inability to work caused by the work accident.
- Temporary disability benefits- compensation for lost wages
- Job displacement benefits- compensation for retraining the injured worker
An injured worker can also file a third-party liability claim if their injuries were caused by another party. Benefits under such a claim can include;
- Past and future medical benefits
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability benefits
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Death benefits
Contact a Visalia Workers Compensation Lawyer
The seriousness of a work injury will determine the amount of compensation that you can seek. The amount could also be higher when you involve an experienced Visalia workers compensation lawyer. The attorney will explain to you your rights and help you seek the maximum possible compensation.
If you have been injured in a work injury, contact the Pacific Attorney Group and seek help from our top work injury lawyers. Our initial consultation is not charged. Call us today and let us help you get the justice that you deserve.
Visalia Work Accident Lawyer
Workers’ Compensation for Accidents at Work
If you or someone you know was injured in a workplace accident in Visalia or the surrounding areas in the San Joaquin Valley, a lawyer at our law offices can help. Pacific Attorney Group represents workers injured in work accidents of all kinds, assisting them in recovering the workers’ compensation benefits they need. For a free consultation regarding your case, call a Visalia work accident lawyer at our law offices at 800-358-9617.
About Visalia Work Accidents & Workers’ Compensation
A work accident may include any mishap or mistake that occurs at the workplace. The different types and causes of work accidents in Visalia are virtually countless. A slip and fall accident in an office hallway, an auto accident related to the worker’s job, an industrial accident, a chemical spill, or an accident involving machinery or other equipment may all qualify an employee to receive workers’ compensation.
The particular circumstances of a work-related accident are often relatively unimportant for the purposes of a Visalia workers’ compensation claim, as the primary concern will be whether the accident occurred at work or was related to the duties of the injured worker’s job. In some cases, the cause of a work accident may be relevant if a third party was to blame, in which case the injured worker may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits as well as financial compensation from the party responsible for the accident. A good example of this situation may be a case where a defective product causes a work accident, as the manufacturer may be held responsible.
About Employer Retaliation and Workers’ Compensation
Employer retaliation is defined as any action your employer takes to penalize you for being injured at work or for filing for workers’ compensation. This may include anything from demotion or interfering with the workers’ compensation process to firing you. If you were injured at work and believe that you were the victim of employer retaliation in some way, a Visalia workers’ compensation attorney at our law firm can talk to you about your legal options.
An employee who is treated unfairly because he or she was injured at work may have the right to sue the employer for retaliation. In addition to recovering the workers’ compensation benefits he or she should have been entitled to, the worker may also be able to recover damages for money lost or injury suffered from employer retaliation. By law, an injured employee has the right to file for workers’ compensation, and any interference with this process or any action taken by an employer to punish an employee for exercising this right is illegal.
Following are the main types of employer retaliation in relation to workers’ compensation:
- Wrongful termination
- Demotion
- Unfair performance review
- Interfering with the workers’ compensation process
- Threatening punishment if the worker files for workers’ comp
- Refusal to rehire
- Failure to promote
Visalia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
With more than 35 years of combined legal experience and the dedication to offer you the personalized, aggressive legal service you deserve, the lawyers at Pacific Attorney Group are here to help if you have been the victim of employer retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim in the Visalia area. For a free case review, feel free to call us at 800-358-9617. We accept calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will take the time to talk to you about your concerns, your needs, and how we can help you.