Orange County Workplace Back Injury Lawyer

Orange County Workplace Back Injury Attorney

Back injuries are among the most common workplace injuries suffered by workers. These can range from minor strains to more serious injuries. Back injuries are not isolated to construction sites, either, as any industry that requires physical labor can present risks for an on-the-job lifting injury or other back injury. Even office workers can suffer injury from poor ergonomics and repetitive strain. If you’ve suffered an injury, contact an Orange County workplace back injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Workplace Back Injury Representation in Orange County, CA

The Canlas Law Group has extensive experience navigating workers’ compensation law, helping clients in and throughout Orange County with the claims filing process. Employees who suffer any kind of injury, especially a back injury, deserve fair and full compensation for their injuries, and workers’ compensation claims can be difficult to properly manage.

Our skilled lawyers can provide aggressive advocacy, working with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that you receive swift and substantial benefits. We offer peace and security to those who may be struggling to manage their recovery while also balancing their family’s finances, as work is paused and bills and expenses are increasing. Have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney help you approach your claim, and start the process of truly recovering.

How Do Back Injuries Occur?

Back injuries in Orange County, CA, are some of the most common injuries sustained by workers, regardless of the industry in which they work. Despite increased preventative measures, workers remain susceptible to back injuries. The following represents some of the most common causes:

• Falls. Slip, trip, and fall accidents can result in severe back injuries, especially if falling from a great height. This is a common risk in construction, warehouses, and maintenance jobs. These injuries can occur if surfaces are wet or uneven or while engaged in work on a platform or ladder.
• Heavy lifting. An on-the-job lifting injury can occur in any number of job types, including construction, warehousing, and even healthcare, especially for nurses and aides. Lifting heavy objects can lead to back injuries as the result of improper lifting techniques or overexertion.
• Repetitive motion. Continually bending, lifting, twisting, or reaching can lead to muscle fatigue and back strains. Those who work assembly lines, delivery, stocking retail, loading and unloading trucks, or in packaging are at risk for injuries as a result of repetitive tasks that involve the same movements over and over.

Injuries can also result from physical fitness issues or preexisting health concerns in individuals, and these become exacerbated by physically demanding work activities. Additionally, non-ergonomic furniture, vehicles, or work equipment can cause strain on workers, especially over time. Lastly, back injuries are common in vehicle accidents, and those who have been injured in an auto accident while on the job may be eligible for workers’ compensation.

What Makes Back Injuries So Serious?

Spinal cords are a highly intricate and sensitive part of the body, connecting bones, ligaments, and muscles together. When you experience a back injury, it can have a significant impact on the body’s function. While many back injuries can be relatively minor, severe back injuries can be both long-lasting and life-threatening.

In the worst cases, back injuries can lead to paralysis, quadriplegia, organ dysfunction, cognitive issues, and other serious conditions. Even in minor cases, back injuries can require extensive medical care, leading to chronic pain and functional limitations. No matter how severe you believe your back injury to be, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention to receive a diagnosis and treatment following an accident.

How Do I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation oversees the legal process under which workers can file a claim through the workers’ compensation system. Doing so involves several key steps, including:

• Seek immediate medical attention. It is imperative that you seek medical care for both diagnosis and treatment following an injury-inducing accident of any kind. It can be difficult to appropriately ascertain the true extent of your injury without proper examination.
• Report the injury to your employer. Notifying your supervisor about the accident as soon as possible is vital to ensuring that you can be covered. Generally, there is a legal window of only a few days during which you have to inform your employer of your injury, though it is generally wise to do so as soon as you are able.
• File a claim. Completing a workers’ compensation claim form officially starts the claims process. You will need to provide details regarding your injury, including how the incident occurred and the extent of the injury and symptoms, and then provide the completed form to your employer, retaining a copy for yourself. Your employer will then complete the workers’ compensation claim with their insurance carrier.
• Follow up on your claim. It is the insurance carrier’s duty to review the claim and ultimately make a determination. They may require further information from you during this part of the process, and you should expect to receive updates from the insurance or from your employer regarding your claim’s status. Then, they will accept or deny the claim.

Despite the seemingly straightforward filing procedure, the process to obtain claim benefits can be complex, complicated by the subjectivity of the insurance, the documentation requirements and deadlines, and the cooperation of your employer. Unfortunately, this legal system does not always work the way it’s intended, and you may not receive the benefits you deserve.

When Should I Work With a Lawyer?

Because California already offers a legal system in which to be compensated for your injury, it can be difficult to know when to obtain legal representation and have a back injury lawyer get involved. A knowledgeable and qualified attorney can help you understand what your claim is worth and can work with insurance carriers on your behalf to ensure that your claim represents fair and full compensation. A skilled lawyer can:

• Assess your claim.
• Help you meet all filing requirements and deadlines.
• Guide you through the claims process.
• Maximize your benefits.
• Represent you in disputes.
• Negotiate with insurance carriers.
• Protect you against retaliatory actions.
• Provide you with peace and reassurance.

Back injury lawyers, like those at the Canlas Law Group, have extensive experience handling workers’ compensation claims, protecting clients’ rights, and helping injured workers obtain the most favorable outcomes in their cases. By working with an Orange County back injury lawyer, you can spend less time worrying about a fair recovery and more time recovering from your injuries.

FAQs About Orange County,CA Workplace Back Injury Law

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim for a Back Injury at Work?

Yes, you can file a claim for a back injury at work. In California, workers are generally eligible to receive compensation whether they share fault for the injury or not. If you’ve suffered a back injury at work, you could receive benefits that include coverage for medical expenses and care as well as temporary or permanent disability benefits, depending on the extent of your injury. A back injury lawyer can help you file a workers’ compensation claim.

Can I Sue My Employer for an Injury in California?

In California, workers are limited in their legal right to bring a claim against their employers for any injury suffered. Workers can file claims regardless of fault but cannot, in most cases, file a claim against their employer. However, if an employer intentionally caused the injury, they may lose the protection of workers’ compensation and have a claim filed against them by an employee. You can also file against an employer that doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance.

What Is the Average Workers’ Comp Settlement in California?

In California, workers’ compensation settlements are generally calculated at two-thirds of the worker’s wages before tax for a decided period of time. Lump-sum payments can range between $2,000 and $20,000 on average, though each settlement will depend on the specific details of the individual case, including the severity of the injury. Currently, there is a cap set at $1,539.71 per week for workers’ compensation benefit amounts.

What Happens If I Hurt My Back at Work in California?

If you suffer a back injury at work, you should first seek immediate medical attention. Inform your employer of the injury and ensure that you get examined and treated. After this, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to cover the ensuing medical bills, disability benefits, and impending lost wages with the help of Orange County work injury lawyer. Depending on the severity of your injury, you can return to work, expecting reasonable accommodations, or qualify for permanent disability benefits.

Contact Your Orange County Workplace Back Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve suffered a back injury in the workplace, it is important that you are able to remain focused on recovering. Unfortunately, mounting expenses and a complicated and draining workers’ compensation process can often cause more strain on an already stressful situation. By working with a qualified and experienced back injury attorney, like those at the Canlas Law Group, you can feel secure as we advocate on your behalf.

Contact Us Today

Let a member of our team help you receive a favorable outcome in your claim, guiding you through the process one step at a time. Taking immediate action is crucial to ensure that you are properly caring for both your injury and your future. Contact our office today to get started.