Maison Law of Turlock helps workers who have been hurt or have gotten sick after being exposed to hazardous substances on the job. Injured employees can sometimes rely on Workers’ Compensation, but not everyone is treated fairly. Some claims are denied, and when benefits are awarded, not every patient receives the same level of support.
A lawyer can fight for a better outcome for you. Go over your case with a Turlock Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to figure out how you can secure everything you need to recover and get back to work. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your options that may go far beyond standard workers’ comp benefits.
When You Should Have a Lawyer for Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you are dealing with just a minor injury and only miss a few days of work, you may not need a lawyer to earn fair benefits. But injuries involving exposure to a dangerous chemical or harmful dust are rarely minor.
Victims may require expensive, long-term medical care and could develop permanent health issues. If you suffer a serious injury, it’s a good time to talk over your options with a lawyer.
A lawyer can help you show evidence of what you’ve been exposed to and the effects on your life. A lawyer makes sure Workers’ Comp administrators hear the entire story of what you’ve been through and will deal with in the future. A lawyer often has the ability to collect hard-to-obtain evidence from your company to back your case.
You always have the option to file your own claim, but with a serious health issue, your lawyer negotiates to get you much more than you could probably earn by filing yourself.
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) further explains the situations in which you may find a skilled lawyer helpful.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Real Turlock Workers’ Compensation Accident Attorney
You may still be wondering if your case is worth pursuing. You may also be struggling in recovery and have little time or energy to take on Workers’ Comp insurers.
We are happy to talk over your options with you or a family member in a free case review. If we can help you earn more, we can immediately begin investigating your accident and how you’ve been treated. We can then get aggressive with Workers’ Comp administrators to demand the maximum in benefits for you. We handle all the red tape and frustrating face-to-face meetings, so that you can focus on healing and getting back to work.
And please don’t worry about finding the money to hire a lawyer. We don’t get paid unless we are successful with your case. Then, our pay comes from the benefits a Workers’ Comp insurer must provide.
Support Available to Workers Who Have Been Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals
Injured workers may have heard about California’s Workers’ Compensation benefits, but they may be in the dark about what is actually covered.
And if workers aren’t clear on what’s possible, an employer can get away with limiting the support much more easily.
The DIR Injured Worker’s Handbook goes over all the different types of support available through a claim. This is a look at some of the support victims and their families could receive:
- Medical Bills. With an injury or illness caused by exposure to dangerous substances, things like future check-ups to monitor the toxic effects of exposure could be necessary for years. Victims may need to have respiratory issues checked frequently after breathing in a harmful substance like dust that causes Silicosis. Diseases like cancer might require long-term care. Victims can also develop organ failure and support that lasts for years.
- Temporary Disability Benefits. Payments if you lose wages because your injury prevents you from doing your usual job while recovering. You would receive a percentage of your paycheck each week.
- Permanent Disability Benefits. Payments if you don’t recover completely and your injury causes a permanent loss of physical or mental function that a doctor can measure.
- Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit. A voucher to help pay for retraining or skill enhancement if you are eligible to receive permanent disability benefits, your employer doesn’t offer you work, and you don’t return to work for your employer.
- Death Benefits. The families of victims are eligible for Workers’ Compensation support if a loved one is killed in a workplace accident or passes away due to an illness or injury caused by a hazardous chemical encountered on the job.
In some cases, a skilled attorney can also win support for victims who must seek help dealing with pain or discomfort from an injury. The cost of getting help with the emotional trauma caused by such an injury or disease could also earn additional compensation. This is especially important for victims exposed to harmful substances who develop neurological problems.
Harmful Substances Risks in Turlock Workplaces
The people who live in Turlock work hard each day and sometimes 7 days a week. Employers have a duty to provide a safe workspace, free of harmful substances. But sometimes safety takes a backseat to profits, and victims can suffer burns and develop severe health complications due to the chemicals and even natural materials they are forced to work around.
These are just a few of the substances and acts of negligence that can lead to contamination and injury:
- Exposure to farming chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers
- Exposure to fluids and oils required for machinery and tools
- Exposure to cleaning agents in offices, restaurants, and factories
- Exposure to vapors and fumes that are breathed in to cause respiratory problems
- Exposure to harmful particles that are breathed in to cause respiratory problems
- Exposure to mold and asbestos.
- Exposure to heavy metals such as lead
- Exposure to exhaust from vehicles and equipment
- Exposure to radiation
- Burns caused by exposure to harmful substances
- Eye injuries suffered
- A lack of safety training provided to work around dangerous materials
- A lack of safety equipment provided
Tracking down the source of your health issues can be challenging on your own. A skilled attorney can investigate your worksite and work with doctors to pinpoint what caused your illness or injury. This leaves Workers’ Comp insurance providers little choice but to offer compensation for everything you are demanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I tell my supervisor about my injury?
Let your employer or a manager know immediately about any injury. If you wait longer than a month to alert your manager, it may allow them the legal option to refuse Workers’ Compensation assistance.
How long can I wait to file a California Workers’ Compensation injury claim?
As seen above, workers hurt by a dangerous substance should report their injuries to their employers as soon as possible. Then they usually have up to one year from the date of the accident to file a claim with California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation. In some cases, the one-year deadline counts down from the day the worker learns of the harmful effects of exposure, which is common with illnesses that may develop over time. The deadline could be extended if the victim is under the age of 18.
Can I ask for Workers’ Compensation benefits if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. In California, injured workers can be awarded benefits regardless of their immigration status or undocumented worker status. Maison Law can help many victims secure more support for their families. Maison Law also takes action when victims are threatened for speaking up about an injury. It’s illegal for employers to threaten to fire someone or report them to immigration officials after reporting an injury. Maison Law can file a lawsuit against any employer who engages in this inexcusable behavior. Victims can receive justice and additional compensation.
Contact a Turlock Workers’ Compensation Attorney
A workplace accident can leave victims feeling vulnerable and unsure if they should speak up. Maison Law never wants workers to shy away from asking for help. We stand with you throughout the Workers’ Comp claims process and take strong legal action if an employer retaliates against you for seeking support.
Reach out to Maison Law to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, wants to hear about what happened to you and then help you determine the best course of action for your family. Mr. Gasparian continues to fight for the well-being of Stanislaus County workers and injury victims.
We also understand that families who have medical bills to pay and are dealing with lost paychecks won’t usually have the money to hire a lawyer. That’s okay. Maison Law doesn’t ask for any payment up front. We only get paid if we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the benefits insurance companies are forced to provide.
