If you are injured on the job in Long Beach, California, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. California’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide financial and medical support to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. However, many workers are unsure what benefits are available or how those benefits actually work. Understanding your rights can make a significant difference in your recovery and your financial stability.
Workers’ compensation benefits are not limited to just medical bills. Depending on the severity of your injury and how it affects your ability to work, you may qualify for several different types of compensation. Below, we explain the primary benefits available under California workers’ compensation law and how they apply to injured workers in Long Beach.
Medical care is the foundation of any workers’ compensation claim. If you suffer a work-related injury or illness, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your condition. This applies regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
Medical benefits typically cover a wide range of services, including doctor visits, hospital care, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and diagnostic testing. These benefits are intended to help you recover and return to work safely.
In California, injured workers may be required to treat within a medical provider network. Choosing the right doctor and following treatment recommendations is critical, as medical records play a major role in determining the benefits you receive.
If your injury prevents you from working while you recover, you may be eligible for temporary disability benefits. These benefits replace a portion of your lost wages during the time your doctor determines you cannot work or must work reduced hours.
Temporary disability benefits are usually paid every two weeks and are calculated based on a percentage of your average weekly earnings, subject to state maximums. There are two types of temporary disability benefits available in California.
These benefits continue until you return to work, your condition improves, or your doctor determines that your injury has stabilized.
Some workplace injuries result in long-term or permanent limitations. When an injury leaves you with lasting impairments, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits. These benefits compensate you for the reduced ability to earn a living due to your injury.
Permanent disability is determined after you reach maximum medical improvement. A doctor will evaluate your condition and assign a disability rating based on medical guidelines, your age, occupation, and the nature of your injury.
Because disability ratings significantly impact the amount of compensation you receive, having guidance from experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can be essential when disputes arise.
If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job and your employer does not offer suitable modified or alternative work, you may be eligible for a supplemental job displacement benefit. This benefit is designed to help injured workers gain new skills and reenter the workforce.
The supplemental job displacement benefit is provided in the form of a voucher that can be used for education or retraining at approved schools. It may also cover certain certification and licensing fees.
California also offers a return-to-work supplement for some injured workers, providing additional financial assistance during the transition to new employment.
In tragic cases where a workplace injury or illness results in death, workers’ compensation provides death benefits to surviving family members. These benefits are intended to ease the financial burden placed on loved ones after the loss of a worker.
Death benefits may include payments to spouses, children, or other dependents, as well as coverage for burial expenses. The amount of benefits depends on the number of dependents and their relationship to the deceased worker.
These claims can be complex, especially when eligibility or dependency is disputed.
Workers’ compensation benefits are meant to protect injured employees, but insurance companies often look for ways to limit payouts. Missing deadlines, incomplete medical records, or misunderstandings about available benefits can significantly reduce what you receive.
If you were injured on the job in Long Beach, understanding the full range of benefits available to you is critical. We are here to help you navigate the workers’ compensation process, protect your rights, and pursue the benefits you deserve. If you have questions about your claim or need legal guidance, contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
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