Understanding workers’ compensation eligibility in California

If you have been injured at work, you may no longer be physically able to carry out your job tasks. Most workers in the United States can file for workers’ compensation after an injury at work, no matter how fault regarding the accident was attributed.

If you want to file for workers’ compensation to recoup financial damages, it is important that you first understand whether you are eligible. By being proactive and acting quickly after your injury, you will stand the best chance of being able to make a successful claim. The following are some of the eligibility requirements that you must be able to meet in order to gain workers’ compensation.

You must have been engaging in work-related duties

To successfully claim workers’ compensation, fault attribution does not matter. However, the question of whether you were engaging in work activities does matter. You do not need to be in the workplace when you were injured as long as you can show that the activity you were engaging in was work-related. For example, if you were driving in a car to perform a work duty and were involved in a collision that led to damages as a result, you will theoretically be able to make a successful workers’ compensation claim.

Your employer must be covered under workers’ compensation laws

Most employers in the United States are legally obligated to carry workers’ compensation insurance, therefore, your employer likely carries it. However, you should verify this before assuming that you will be able to gain workers’ compensation benefits.

You must make the report in good time

In California, you must report the injury to your employer within 30 days of it occurring. When you report your injury, your employer is legally obligated to provide the relevant forms required to make your claim.

If you are suffering due to a work-related injury, you may be able to cover all medical costs and regain some unpaid wages through workers’ compensation. It is important that you take action as soon as possible to be successful in your claim.