Fresno and Central Valley Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
The workers’ compensation system in California provides medical treatment and compensates lost wages. However, it can be complex and confusing for injured workers, especially those navigating it for the first time.
Whether the injury is suffered in agriculture, healthcare, construction, manufacturing or another sector, it can hit entire families hard.
Troubled times can be eased by understanding the systems in place to help— and seasoned legal guidance from the Law Office of Susan K. Medina, PC can secure the benefits you deserve at the time you need them most.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Fresno?
If an employer in California carries workers’ compensation insurance, as is generally required by law, injured workers cannot file a personal injury claim against the employer for negligence. Instead, they should report the injury to their employer who will provide a workers’ compensation claim form along with notice of the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
Many workers unfortunate enough to suffer a work-related illness or a serious or catastrophic injury are unaware of the eligibility requirements dictated by the California Labor Code. They are also unaware of all the benefits to which they may be entitled to aid their recovery from injuries, compensate for lost earnings, and rehabilitate.
Who Is Eligible for What?
Employees who suffer an illness or injury at work are eligible for benefits, such as:
- Medical benefits: The costs of medical treatments, including emergency services, surgery, medication, ongoing treatment, and follow-up care.
- Rehabilitation benefits: Vocational training, physical therapy, and other rehabilitative treatments that help an employee return to work.
- Disability benefits: Partial wage compensation for lost wages due to missed work—either temporary for workers expected to fully recover or permanent for those unable to return to work in the same capacity.
If an employee is fatally injured due to a workplace accident or illness, their dependents or other close family members may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
In some cases, injuries that result from going to or returning from work may also qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. If employers fail in their duty to provide a safe workplace, additional benefits may be due.
How Will Susan K. Medina Help?
Susan K. Medina is a Fresno and Central Valley workers’ compensation lawyer who has helped local workplace victims and families claim workers’ compensation since 2005—specializing in high-dollar claims for brain injuries, quadriplegia, and paraplegia.
She will:
- Evaluate your case with an initial consultation
- Conduct personal meetings to understand the full facts of your case
- Thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your injury
- Provide an estimate of how much you should receive
- Ensure your family’s needs are considered
- Communicate with the relevant medical personnel to maximize your claim
- File the workers’ comp claim
- Handle all communications with the relevant parties
- Follow up until you receive the maximum benefits available to you
- Provide regular progress reports
The medical requirements for a successful workers’ comp claim are significant. The bar is set high, especially when claiming permanent disability.
Sometimes, claims are denied, legitimate injuries are questioned or unreasonable demands are made of workers, such as pushing for a return to work before full recovery. These actions should be challenged.
Susan K. Medina will protect and assert your legal rights while helping you navigate the maze of legal requirements and paperwork. This can be especially challenging if English is not your first language and you’re trying to recover from a serious injury.
She is contactable 24/7 in emergencies and often meets the families of injury victims, easing concerns about meeting medical costs and other bills while also recovering lost earnings that the family relies on. Managing every step of the claims process, she will push for the most favorable outcome possible for Fresno families.
How to Claim Workers’ Compensation in Fresno and the Central Valley
If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident or suffered a work-related illness in Fresno and/or the Central Valley, the following steps will help you recover what you deserve:
1. Report Your Injury and Seek Treatment
If you can do so, report your workplace accident/injury or illness immediately to your employer, who can help you arrange the necessary medical diagnosis and treatment. For catastrophic injuries, your employer will need to manage the initial processes through the workers’ compensation claims adjuster.
2. Start Gathering Evidence and Contact Susan K. Medina
If you are in a condition to do so, start gathering evidence, such as medical reports, photos/video, and the contact details of witnesses. For serious injuries, it’s best to contact Susan K. Medina as soon as possible to start investigating your case. She will gather the necessary documentation and evidence on your behalf.
3. File the Workers’ Comp Claim and Focus on Recovery
Susan K. Medina can help you complete and file your workers’ compensation claim with the necessary supporting evidence. Once the application is in, regular progress reports will ensure that you never miss a deadline and additional information is provided as required—while you focus on your recovery.
Common Types of Workers’ Comp Injuries
Susan K. Medina handles Fresno and Central Valley workers’ compensation cases involving slips and falls, vehicle accidents, injuries from machinery or objects, fires/explosions, chemical accidents, electrical accidents, and assaults.
Typically, the following types of workplace injuries result:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Temporary or permanent paralysis
- Spinal injuries
- Burns
- Amputation/loss of limb
- Broken bones
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Death
Get the Benefits You Deserve
Attempting to claim workers’ compensation alone can be frustrating and result in fewer benefits than you are entitled to.
With potentially life-changing injuries, the difference between getting the minimum available and receiving what you deserve can be substantial. Susan K. Medina will ensure you don’t settle for anything less than the maximum.
NOTICE: Making a false or fraudulent Workers’ Compensation claim is a felony subject to up to 5 years in a prison or a fine of up to $150,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine.
