Maison Law helps workers in Porterville when they’re injured by defective equipment and want to file for workers’ compensation benefits. When the tools and equipment you use every day stop working the way they should, it can leave you with serious injuries that affect both your work and your personal life. The good news is, you have options, and our team can help you explore them. Set up a free consultation today, and let’s talk through your options.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer?
You might be thinking, “Workers’ comp should be automatic. Why bring in a lawyer?” On paper, you’re right. In practice, it’s not that simple. Insurance companies are in no hurry to pay out, and employers don’t always make things easy. Here’s where our team comes in:
- Getting medical care approved – Adjusters love to deny physical therapy, surgery, or pain treatment. We push back with the evidence you need.
- Making sure checks show up – Benefits are supposed to arrive every two weeks. When they don’t, we get answers.
- Fixing unfair disability ratings – A low rating means less benefits. We make sure your rating is one that matches what you’re really dealing with.
- Shielding you from employer pressure – No more guilt trips or being rushed back to work too soon—we handle those conversations.
- Maximizing your benefits – Medical bills, wage replacement, permanent disability, retraining, even mileage to appointments—it’s all on the table.
The bottom line is workers’ comp isn’t a lawsuit. It’s a system that’s supposed to protect you. Having our team on your side just makes sure it actually does.
What Kind of Evidence Really Matters After a Defective Equipment Injury?
You don’t have to act like a lawyer or build a courtroom case right after you’re hurt. But what does make a difference is the evidence tied to your injury. The stronger that evidence is, the less room the insurance company has to question your claim. Here are the pieces that matter most:
- Medical records – The most powerful evidence is your medical file. When you tell your doctor exactly what happened—what machine failed, how it broke down, and what part of your body it affected—that all goes into your chart. Later, when the insurance company reviews your claim, those notes create a clear line between the equipment failure and your injury.
- Accident reports – Reporting your injury to your employer quickly creates a paper trail. Even a short email or written note works. That report gets the workers’ comp claim moving and makes it much harder for anyone to argue the injury didn’t happen on the job.
- Your own notes – Details fade fast. Writing down the time, place, what you were doing, and how the equipment failed can lock in details that may be lost later. Think of it as your personal record—one that backs up your official report.
- Pictures/videos – A quick picture or video of the broken equipment or malfunctioning tool can show more than pages of reports. Also, take pictures of the area around the equipment and any visible injuries that happen to you.
- Statements from your coworkers or bystanders – If anyone saw what happened, their words can help confirm your account. Even a short statement from a coworker saying, “I saw the press malfunction and crush his hand,” can cut off disputes before they start.
- Maintenance logs or inspection reports – Sometimes the equipment itself tells the story. Maintenance logs, inspection reports, or prior complaints can show that the machine had problems long before your accident. That kind of record can support not just your claim, but also highlight workplace safety issues.
Here’s the bottom line: insurance companies often try to chip away at claims by questioning the details. Having strong evidence—from medical records to photos to coworker accounts—takes away those arguments and keeps your claim from dragging out for months. You don’t need to prove your boss was careless, but you do want a clear record that ties your injury directly to the defective equipment.
What Will Workers’ Comp Actually Cover?
You’ve probably heard of workers’ comp, but a lot of people don’t know exactly what it pays for—or what to expect. Generally, all you have to do is fill out the form and start getting benefits. But it’s ultimately up to the insurance company (through your employer) to decide what benefits you get. Here’s what your claim will actually cover:
- Necessary medical care – Most of your benefits are going to be tied to the necessary medical treatment—–hospital stays, surgeries, medication—you get for your workplace injury.
- Temporary disability (TD) – This provides you with partial pay if you’re off work while you get better. In California, this is usually two-thirds of your average weekly wages, up to a weekly maximum.
- Permanent disability (PD) – If the injury leaves lasting damage that reduces your ability to work, you may qualify for ongoing benefits based on a “disability rating.”
- Job retraining – This gives you financial help to get training or education if you can’t return to your previous job.
Here’s the catch: TD benefits usually last up to 104 weeks. For workers with severe injuries—like amputations, spinal trauma, or permanent mobility issues—that’s often not enough. That’s where looking beyond workers’ comp becomes important.
Could I Have a Claim Beyond Workers’ Comp?
Sometimes workers’ comp doesn’t cover everything. If defective equipment caused your injury, you may also be able to bring a civil claim against:
- The company that made the equipment.
- A third-party contractor responsible for maintaining or inspecting it.
- In rare cases, your employer, if extreme negligence was involved.
Unlike workers’ comp, an injury claim covers fuller “damages” like:
- Medical costs beyond workers’ comp limits.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Lost future earnings.
- Property damage.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death costs if the accident is fatal.
Think of it this way: workers’ comp is designed to get you back on your feet quickly, but it doesn’t always make you whole. A civil claim is sometimes the only way to account for everything you’ve lost—especially if the injury keeps you from earning what you used to. In California, you typically have two years from the date of your injury to file this type of lawsuit. We can help you figure out if that’s an option in your case and guide you through it if it is.
Reach Out to Maison Law After a Defective Equipment Injury in Porterville
Getting hurt by broken or defective equipment at work can leave you feeling powerless. But you have rights, and you don’t have to go through this process alone.
At Maison Law, we’ve helped workers across Porterville—from farm fields to warehouses—get the benefits and support they need, whether that’s through workers’ comp, a civil claim, or both. We know how the system works, and we know how to help you. Reach out today to set up a free consultation to get the process started.
