Workers’ compensation is designed to cover a variety of eventualities at work, including heart attacks. Jobs that necessitate physical labor or exposure to extreme temperatures can increase a worker’s risk of having a heart attack. Highly stressful and fast-paced jobs could also trigger and exacerbate otherwise manageable conditions.
For anyone who has experienced the traumatic event of a heart attack at work, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys are here to offer our understanding and support. Our dedicated lawyers are not just here to provide knowledge about heart attack workers’ compensation claims in Tulare County but also to guide you through the complex and detail-oriented process. We are committed to ensuring you receive the support and compensation you deserve.
A worker injured first must report the injury to the employer immediately. Most injuries must be reported within 30 days to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. The worker should also seek immediate medical attention within their employer’s medical provider network (MPN), if they have one, and their own, if not.
Once the injury is reported, a worker must take the necessary steps to file a claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). This is a crucial step in the process, as it initiates the investigation by their employer’s insurance company. If the claim is approved by the adjuster, the worker will begin receiving benefits. Our Tulare County workers’ compensation attorneys are here to assist with this process, ensuring all the proper documentation is gathered to support a worker’s claim and any necessary accident investigations regarding their heart attack are conducted to obtain supporting evidence. We are committed to ensuring the thoroughness and fairness of the claim process, and the DWC plays a key role in this.
Many workers’ compensation claims are denied. If a worker’s claim is denied, they can file an application with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).
Successful appeals involve investigating the accident that caused a worker’s injury, consulting with experts and medical professionals, and conducting new interviews to supplement existing witness statements. This work can be detailed and time-consuming, necessitating the experience and specialized knowledge a lawyer could provide. Our Tulare County workers’ compensation attorneys always handle workers’ compensation appeals and could assist a person who has sustained a heart attack at work through this process.
According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, workers’ compensation benefits in the state cover medical care, temporary and permanent disability, supplemental job displacement benefits (i.e., retraining), and death benefits, where applicable. Medical care covers doctor visits, hospital stays, x-rays and tests, physical therapy, medicine, and travel expenses. Temporary disability refers to payment for a portion of loss of wages, while permanent disability covers loss of function and requires proving the loss was caused by the work-related injury.
Sustaining a heart attack at work is a traumatic experience and could be a threat to your livelihood. You have bills to pay, a job to return to, and a life to live. What you need is someone on your side who is dedicated to getting you the workers’ compensation benefits you need.
Contact one of our experienced attorneys at Silberman & Lam today to understand your available options for obtaining your benefits for a heart attack workers’ compensation claim in Tulare County.