In California, employers are mandated to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. The insurance exists to compensate workers who are injured or become ill because of work. Workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits, including medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits, and death benefits, if applicable.
If you suffered an on-the-job injury or illness, you might be wondering about workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Fresno. Generally, employees are eligible if they have been injured within the scope of their employment or contracted a job-related illness. However, there are some exceptions. If you have been injured at work, speak with a workers’ compensation attorney about claim eligibility.
Every employee in California is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers can elect to be self-insured or purchase coverage from an insurance company. Many large employers will assume the financial risk of paying for their employees’ coverage if they are injured. The next requirement for workers’ compensation claim eligibility is that the worker is actually an employee. While this may seem obvious, certain types of workers are not entitled to coverage.
Only work-related injuries or illnesses are eligible for a claim. In most instances, it is simple to determine if an injury is related to someone’s job duties. For example, an employee who breaks their ankle while performing a task for their employer would be eligible. However, certain types of injuries are harder to prove, and insurance companies often dispute that the injury is job-related. Some examples include cancer from exposure at work or if the person had related pre-existing conditions. It can also be difficult to prove an injury is work-related if it occurred on a break or outside of working hours. Be sure to consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Fresno to determine if you are eligible for coverage based on the circumstances of your injury.
After suffering a work injury, it can be difficult to know what to do next. When you consult a lawyer, they can evaluate your workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Fresno, guide you through the process of filing a claim, and negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
We understand how crucial it is to get you the benefits you need early on. Delays can impact your medical treatment, and if you are unable to work due to the injury, your income is affected. When you are injured at work, you need legal representation that will take measures to protect your rights. Given that there are time constraints to filing a workers’ comp claim, give us a call today to discuss your case.
