Frequently Asked Questions

No. California law prohibits retaliation against employees for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you believe you’ve been fired, demoted, or otherwise punished for filing a claim, you may have additional legal options beyond your workers’ comp case.

A denial isn’t the end of the road. Insurance companies deny claims for many reasons, some more legitimate than others. We review denied and disputed claims to see what options are available, including appeals.

Not every case requires an attorney, but insurance companies have their own lawyers working to limit what they pay out. Having someone in your corner who knows the system can make a meaningful difference, especially if your claim is denied, disputed, or involves a serious injury.

We work on a contingency basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost to you, and we only get paid if we recover benefits on your behalf. Consultations are free.

We represent injured workers across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties. We handle California state workers’ compensation claims only — not federal or USPS claims.

You generally have one year from the date of injury to file a claim, but you must report the injury to your employer within 30 days — waiting can hurt your case even if you're still within the legal deadline.

In most cases, you'll be treated within your employer's medical provider network (MPN). You may have the right to use your own physician if you predesignated them in writing before your injury — this is worth confirming early, since it affects your entire treatment path.

Nearly all employees are covered from day one, regardless of immigration status or part-time/full-time status. Independent contractors are generally excluded, but misclassification is common — if you're unsure which category you fall into, that's worth a closer look.

Depending on your case: medical treatment, temporary disability payments, permanent disability payments, and job displacement benefits if you can't return to your old role. What you actually qualify for depends on your specific injury and claim.

Your employer must give you a claim form (DWC-1) after you report the injury. The insurance company then generally has 90 days to investigate — missing steps or deadlines along the way is one of the most common reasons claims get delayed or denied.

Yes, in certain circumstances, including PTSD from a traumatic workplace event. These claims typically require stronger medical evidence than a physical injury claim.

California's system is generally no-fault — your own carelessness usually doesn't disqualify you the way it might in a regular lawsuit. Exceptions exist (intoxication, self-inflicted harm), but simple mistakes on the job typically don't bar your claim.

If there is a disputed medical issue in your case, you will oftentimes be scheduled for an evaluation with a neutral doctor — a second opinion outside of your normal treating physicians. These evaluations are much more in-depth than a typical appointment, and the evaluating physician is required by law to review your entire medical file and take a full history from you, along with a detailed physical examination. Once the evaluation is complete, the physician generally has 30-45 days to submit a written report.