How Often Should I Hear From My Workers’ Comp Attorney in California? 2024

The workers’ compensation process in California can be overwhelming for an individual with no prior legal experience. One of the primary reasons to work with a qualified California workers’ compensation attorney is that they can keep you informed about the process and offer you advice about the current status of your case.

How often you should hear from your workers’ comp attorney will depend on several factors, including the current status of your case, the unique details of your situation, your attorney’s personal style, and the overall quality of their services. Workers’ comp clients should be informed throughout every phase of workers’ comp proceedings with highly responsive, highly actionable legal advice.

Navigating the California Workers’ Compensation System

The workers’ compensation system is intended to provide employees with financial stability after they’re injured at work. In most cases, it won’t be possible to file a personal injury claim against your employer for a work injury, as workers’ comp often protects employers from liability unless they purposely caused your injury.

Any journey through California’s workers’ compensation system can be complex, often leaving individuals uncertain and financially unsupported for long periods of time while the case resolves. A seasoned California workers’ compensation attorney can serve as a valuable guide during these challenging times.

Lawyers and support staff should know the importance of maintaining a transparent and collaborative relationship with their clients, but it’s crucial to remember that every case is unique—and so is every attorney.

What Factors Influence the Frequency of Communication With My Workers’ Comp Lawyer?

The frequency of communication with your workers’ compensation attorney is influenced by many different factors, including:

• What phase your case is currently in. Even with a qualified attorney, there may be some points when you must wait for the process to move ahead.
• Current caseloads for workers’ comp officials
• The unique circumstances surrounding your workers’ comp claim
• Your attorney’s communication style, as well as your own
• Any disputes, concerns, or unexpected issues that arise in the course of your case
• The overall quality of your attorney’s services

Your workers’ comp lawyer should work hard to keep you informed and empowered throughout the duration of your case with solid legal advice and highly responsive staffing. Unfortunately, this level of service may not be a priority for every law firm, and if you’re concerned about communication, it’s important to use the initial consultation process to determine the lawyer’s communication style before agreeing to purchase their services.

A great lawyer should offer clear, actionable information exactly when you need it, which, in turn, helps injured workers gain leverage against large corporations and intimidating legal processes. Choosing a highly communicative lawyer could mean the difference between successfully navigating the intricacies of a workers’ comp claim and getting lost. This empowerment often stems from understanding both the advantages and challenges involved in legal representation, much like the nuanced pros and cons of hiring a workers’ comp attorney in California.

What a California Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Do for You

California law mandates that all employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance, but that doesn’t always mean workers’ comp benefits are always easy for injured workers to access. In the aftermath of a workplace injury, simultaneously managing your recovery, the impact on your household, and seeking compensation can quickly become overwhelming.

In these cases, a skilled California workers’ compensation lawyer could become an invaluable lifeline, offering assistance in every phase of the claim process. Some of the steps your workers’ comp attorney can help with include:

• Completing paperwork
• Helping to schedule and facilitate necessary medical exams
• Interfacing with court officials and other state resources
• Fierce advocacy for your rights in negotiations and in court
• Handling depositions
• Gathering and analyzing evidence

Each of these steps should be paired with open communication. Without that element, the client may not know which steps have been completed, what comes next, or what their own responsibilities are.

FAQs About Hear From My Workers’ Comp Attorney in California

How Long Does Workers’ Comp Have to Make a Decision in California?

In California, after filing a workers’ compensation claim, you should receive an initial decision within 90 days of filing. The process can be extended, however, for unusual circumstances in which additional investigation and information-gathering becomes necessary. It’s possible for your claim to be denied, in which case you could appeal the decision. Appeals will considerably lengthen the process.

How Long Do You Have to Report an Injury at Work in California?

It’s recommended to report your injury as soon as possible after it occurs. You have 30 days to inform your employer of a work-related injury, and you have one year to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you don’t adhere to these deadlines, you may be unable to receive compensation. There are certain exceptions; whenever you discover a developmental injury or illness that resulted from work, you have one year from the date of the discovery to file a workers’ comp claim.

Do All Workers Comp Cases End in a Settlement in California?

No, not all workers’ compensation cases in the state of California will end in a settlement. Some cases are resolved through hearings or decisions made by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, sometimes with no formal settlement involved.

Other cases are denied due to insufficient evidence that the injury was work-related. Working with a skilled California workers’ comp attorney is essential to ensure you have all the evidence necessary to present a compelling case for compensation.

How Long Until I Get My Settlement Check After I Agree in California?

The processing time for a settlement check is another aspect of the workers’ comp timeline that can vary from case to case. Due to the administrative procedures and paperwork involved, it is not uncommon for the process of receiving a check to take more than a month.

Canlas Law Group – Communicative, Responsive Legal Assistance for Injured California Workers

If you or someone you love has been injured at work and needs help accessing compensation through a workers’ compensation claim, Canlas Law Group is standing by to assist. We can walk you through every phase of the process with clear and compassionate communication, from filing your initial claim to the day you receive your check. Contact us today to get the process started with a no-pressure consultation.