Most workers in San Diego are significantly safer today than they were a few decades ago. People today work fewer hours, and they benefit from safer technologies and better conditions. Nevertheless, no one is completely safe from serious injuries at their workplace.
If you suffered an on-the-job illness or injury, you might be eligible to receive certain benefits under California’s workers’ compensation laws, such as reimbursement for substantial medical expenses. You deserve the utmost care and should have access to medical treatment after a workplace injury in San Diego. A seasoned local attorney could help you file the appropriate paperwork to get the compensation and healthcare you deserve.
California requires most employers to purchase workers’ compensation policies from licensed state insurers. Understanding this obligation and system is key.
Employers must cover their employees, but this requirement does not extend to most independent contractors and subcontractors. If an injured worker believes that their employer is wrongfully excluding them from coverage by referring to them as an independent contractor, they should meet with an experienced attorney who could help them prove their eligibility.
A worker needs to prove that their injury or illness occurred as a result of their job duties. An employee does not need to prove that their employer did something that caused their injury to collect benefits. There is no need to prove liability because workers’ compensation benefits are no-fault.
Experienced attorneys in San Diego could explain how workers’ compensation coverages work and outline how to start the process of obtaining benefits for medical treatment.
Under California law, injured workers can obtain reasonable medical treatment to cure, alleviate, or relieve work-related illnesses and injuries. Generally, reasonable medical treatment should cover the cost of an ambulance, hospital bills, doctors’ visits, prescriptions, and other necessary care.
Local healthcare experts must treat injured workers according to the guidelines for care outlined in the medical treatment utilization schedule (MTUS). These guidelines establish treatments and care that are reasonable and necessary. If an employee’s doctor wishes to perform a treatment that falls outside of the MTUS guidelines, the employee should consult with a local attorney to discuss a plan of action to ensure that the treatment is allowed.
Under the state’s workers’ comp law, workers have the right to tell their employers they would like their own doctor to treat them in the event of a workplace injury. However, they must tell their employer in a written pre-designation before any injury occurs.
Some employers have designated medical provider networks (MPNs). MPNs often consist of groups of several doctors that specialize in work-related injuries. If an employer has an MPN, an injured worker usually must select a doctor from a list of those doctors within the MPN.
Experienced San Diego attorneys could review an employer’s policy to learn more about which doctors an injured worker could visit.
After an on-the-job injury, you should focus on getting better quickly. You should not have to worry about whether you are eligible for medical care, where to get treated, or what treatments are covered.
A seasoned attorney could help you overcome any hurdles that stand in the way of accessing medical treatment after a workplace injury in San Diego. Meet with a lawyer today to gain access to the medical care and benefits you need.
