Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Orange County
In the case of a work injury, find a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Orange County can be a huge task. The county of oranges is home to many Fortune 500 businesses that employ a large number of workers from the county and nearby areas. For companies as big as these or even the smaller ones, workers’ compensation is a crucial part. And so, if ever you find yourself in a situation of injury caused at work, minor or major, it is advisable to find a Workers’ Compensation lawyer as soon as possible. Here is how one such attorney can help you.
1. Information about your rights:
Due to lack of awareness, a lot of us have no idea what rights we have in case we face a huge loss at work, in terms of health and money. The first thing a work injury compensation attorney does is let you know what all rights you possess and what benefits are you entitled to, based on your case details.
2. Areas of benefits:
The lawyer first defines the area of injury that has occurred, for example permanent, temporary and also narrow it down to the kind of injury, spinal cord injury, hearing loss, physical disability. This helps him determine the exact compensation that will benefit you as every injury has a different set of benefits designed.
3. Documentation:
Once the attorney has determined your injury, its cause, benefits you are entitled to and has given you all the information, after a brief, case study, the lawyer takes care of the documentation required in the case. These are essential forms, meetings, etc.
4. What happens next?
The attorney is dedicated to getting the maximum benefits you are entitled to receive so that the monetary compensation covers your medical expenses and at times if needed, covers your wages if you are not able to work. Note that all of this is done with your support and cooperation. (more…)
Indiana Jones Understood!
60-year-old Joe worked as a “short-haul” truck driver for a large grocery chain for 29 years – almost half his life. Each workday he would go to the warehouse, load a large trailer with pallets piled high with groceries, hooked up the trailer to a truck, and drove it to a store. Once there, he would unload it, and drive it back. Things didn’t always go smoothly – sometimes the roads to the stores were rough, the pallet jack didn’t work right, or if the trailer door got stuck he’d struggle to get it open or closed. But no matter what it took, Joe got the job done.
As the years went by, Joe started feeling pain in his shoulders, back, and knees. Eventually, the pain didn’t go away, and he found it harder and harder to get out of bed in the morning. Joe’s supervisors noticed he was moving slower, so they started writing him up for “violations” of their rules. Eventually, they fired him for something he and everyone else had been doing for years. Joe suspected the real reason was that he wasn’t able to move as quickly as the younger employees.
Joe saw his personal doctor for help with his relentless pain and was told that his body was worn out by the type of work he did for decades. He reported his doctor’s findings to his employer and filed a workers’ compensation claim. The employer ignored the first doctor’s findings and sent him to their own doctor who told him his problems were because of his “age”. His claim was then denied by the workers’ compensation adjuster based on their “investigation”.
You would think that everyone would understand that workers like Joe deserved the protection of the workers’ compensation system. Indiana Jones sure did.
But you would be wrong.
As we speak, large employers and insurance companies are proposing ways to make it even harder for people like Joe to obtain benefits.
Current law requires a physician to make a determination that it is “more likely than not” – 51% – that Joe’s 29 years of work played a role in causing his permanent injuries.
But now, these special interests want to ADD a requirement to the law that Joe also proves that the MAIN REASON he is injured is because of work activities. If the law changes, Joe might not receive any workers’ compensation benefits at all – even though part of the reason he has permanent pain is that of the work he did.
The odds are already stacked against a California worker injured on the job, and the political reality is special interests are always looking for ways to change the law so they can reduce benefits and pocket the savings – all at the expense of people like Joe.
For over 25 years I have been fighting for injured workers like Joe, and I enjoy what I do. Every few years, special interests manage to make it even harder for workers to obtain fair results, but if someone has a legit case, I am always willing to see if I can be of assistance. Call us if you would like to discuss your potential case.
Smart Workplace Safety Tips To Help Prevent Common On-The-Job Accidents
At Thomas F. Martin, PLC, Orange County Workers’ Compensation Attorney Thomas Martin has helped many injured workers seek fair workers’ compensation benefits after being in a workplace accident. But no matter how much we enjoy our job and serving injured workers, it would be better if there were no on-the-job accidents in the first place. After all, workplace safety may ultimately be the responsibility of employers, supervisors, regulators, and parent companies.
Keep these tips to avoid common workplace accidents in mind whenever on-the-job: (more…)
What To Do & Not Do After Being Injured On The Job
Your on-the-job training should cover some safety precautions about how to avoid workplace accidents and injuries. But, if your workplace is like many others, it will only brush upon what to do after an on-the-job injury and your rights as an injured employee – if at all. We have compiled a helpful and easy-to-follow list of steps that should be taken after any accident or injury that occurs either in your workplace or while you are performing work-related duties. (more…)
Thomas Francis Martin Honored With Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Judicial Edition Award
Thomas F. Martin, the founding worker’s compensation lawyer of Thomas F. Martin, PLC, has recently been honored with the 2017 AV Preeminent Award—Judicial Edition by Martindale-Hubbell®. (more…)
Repetitive Stress Injuries And The Workers That Get Them
Repetitive stress (or strain) injuries, or RSIs, are the most common occupational health problem in the United States; they cost more than $20 billion a year in workers’ compensation claims. And while outdoor workers typically have a higher risk of accidental injury (logging is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country), many white-collar occupations expose people to traumatic repetitive movements that could lead to nerve or musculoskeletal damage. Here are a few RSIs and the jobs that might increase your risk of experiencing them. (more…)
Attorney Martin Is Awarded Highest Possible Martindale-Hubbell® Rating
Attorney Tom Martin was recently awarded a Special Edition AV Preeminent® Award for having the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell® rating by both his peers and the Judiciary in legal ability and ethical standards. AV Preeminent® (4.5 – 5.0) is a significant rating accomplishment and a testament to the fact that an attorney’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence. (more…)
Injured At Work But Can’t Get Treatment?
Unfortunately, many seriously injured workers cannot get the care they deserve to heal and get back to work. Insurance companies have an army of lawyers and professionals to delay and deny legitimate treatment requests by their own network doctors. (more…)
The Dynamics Of A Workers’ Compensation Claim
In an ideal world, all employers will want only the best for their employees. If a worker gets hurt while performing on-the-job duties, the injured worker should get the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve. (more…)
Workers’ Compensation Claims Following Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Employees working in a variety of industries and fields may encounter dangerous toxic chemicals. Unfortunately, some workplaces are not promoting the safe handling of chemicals, leading to tragic work injuries each year. (more…)