Helping Injured Workers Take the Right Steps After an Accident

Know how to protect your rights and get the proper care

A workplace accident can leave you confused, frightened and in pain. Knowing what steps to take can help you manage the emotional turmoil, protect your rights and put you on the road to healing. From our office in Los Angeles, Goldschmid, Silver & Spindel counsels injured workers throughout the workers’ compensation claims process.

What to do after a workplace injury

When a workplace injury occurs, it is important to keep a clear head and take certain actions that will preserve and enhance your claim. In order of priority, you should:

• Seek immediate medical attention — If your injuries are serious, get to a hospital or other qualified emergency care facility as soon as possible. Even injuries that appear less than critical should be given medical diagnosis and treatment.
• Document the scene — If you are able, make note of what happened and get the names of anyone present who might later be able to provide a statement or testify. Take pictures from as many angles as possible. If you are unable to take these actions yourself, consider asking a co-worker to make a record of the scene.
• Notify your employer in writing — In California, injured workers must alert their employer to the injury within 30 days. If you are suffering from a disease or illness you suspect was caused by working conditions, notification must come within 30 days of when you first discovered it.
• Do not sign anything — No one should require you to do anything more than give your employer written notice of the injury. You should sign nothing further without legal counsel.
• Contact an attorney — As soon as possible, contact an attorney .who can make sure you’ve met your notification requirements, file your workers’ comp claim, build a strong case to support negotiation of your claim and examine whether any third parties, such as contractors, visitors or property owners may be held liable through a separate personal injury lawsuit.

While you have one year to file a workers’ compensation claim in California, it is to your advantage to get our attorneys working on your case and fighting for maximum benefits right away.

What to look for in a worker’s compensation attorney

Hiring an attorney is the best way to protect yourself after an on-the-job injury. Here are some important reasons to consider our firm:

• Experience — We have been protecting the rights of injured workers for more than 40 years.
• Certification — The California State Bar has certified our attorneys as specialists in workers’ compensation law.
• Results — We can demonstrate a proven history of maximized recovery for clients.
• Resources — We have the experience and resources to pursue complex occupational injury and disease claims.
• Compassion — We fight to protect our clients’ rights with a level of care and understanding that delivers peace of mind and helps them on the path to healing.

Filing a workers’ comp claim without competent legal counsel can put you at risk of receiving a lower settlement offer for your injury. Your employer and its insurance company will have a team of lawyers working to pay as little as possible on your claim. Our attorneys fight back to maximize your award.

Contact our Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys for certified representation

With more than 150 years of combined workers’ comp experience, the lawyers at Goldschmid, Silver & Spindel are strong advocates for injured employees. We accept cases on a contingent fee basis, so that we get paid only if we get your benefits approved. Schedule a free consultation by calling 213-251-5900 or contacting our Los Angeles office online.