An injury suffered on the job in Riverside can be absolutely devastating. When workers suffer injuries on the job, they may not be able to return to work until they fully recover. In some cases, this could take several weeks or even months. Sometimes, workers may never be able to return to work and lose their ability to earn a livelihood. This can be both emotionally and financially devastating not just for the injured workers, but also their families.
If you or a loved one has suffered a work injury in Riverside County that has been caused by someone else's negligence (carelessness) or wrongdoing, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries, damages and losses caused. An experienced Riverside County work injury attorney will be able to advise you regarding your legal rights and options. Learn more about how much can you get for suing your employer here.
Riverside Work Injuries Eligible for Compensation
An injury is defined as work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either cause or contributed to the injury or made a pre-existing injury or illness worse. An injury or illness is said to be work-related when they occur because of events or conditions in your workplace. In order to be a work-related injury, the injury should have occurred at your place of work or in the process of you doing your job.
For example, if you are a delivery worker and became injured when you were delivering a package, that qualifies as an injury on the job. You can also receive compensation even if you've clocked out of work, but were harmed while exiting company property such as in an elevator or parking lot. You can seek compensation if you can show that your injury was caused by negligence and that you suffered injuries and monetary damages as a result of that injury.
How to Secure Evidence for Your Work Injury
If you have suffered a work-related injury, be sure to report the incident right away. Your supervisor and/or your employer should be notified immediately. It is also important to fill out an employee's claim form for workers' compensation benefits and request your supervisor to fill out the section allocated for employers.
Be sure to get prompt medical attention, treatment and care for any injuries you may have suffered. Even if you don't feel like you're hurt or injured, be sure to pay your doctor a visit to get a check up. Describe to your doctor how the accident occurred and which parts of your body have been affected. Definitely tell the doctor about any pain or discomfort you are experiencing. Do not assume anything.
Keep all copies of documents such as medical slips, notes and bills. You should also keep copies of all documents from your employer as well as the insurance company that relate to your injury. Make sure you make copies of all the documents.
By performing the above actions after a Riverside work injury, you're giving you and your attorney the evidential support needed to help prove you deserve compensation.
Workers' Compensation Versus Third Party Claims in Riverside
If you have been injured on the job in Riverside, you may be able to seek workers' compensation benefits, which cover medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. However, if you've suffered serious injuries that required medical attention and hospitalization and require ongoing treatment and therapy, workers' compensation benefits may be insufficient to cover all of your damages. Also, in cases where a work injury has proved fatal, death benefits through the workers' compensation system will not even come close to compensating family members for the loss of a breadwinner or a primary wage earner.
In such cases, our Riverside work injury attorneys recommend filing a third-party claim against a party other than the employer whose negligence caused your accident and resulting injuries. Examples of third parties may include construction companies, general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, negligent motorists and manufacturers of defective products. These types of personal injury lawsuits or wrongful death lawsuits filed against third parties may be worth significantly more than what workers' compensation may offer to injured victims and their families.
Expected Settlements for Work Injury Lawsuits
The amount of monetary compensation you will receive in a work injury lawsuit could vary depending on a number of factors. Typically, the compensation you receive will depend on the nature and extent of your injuries. For example, if you suffered an injury that required you to take several months off work and need ongoing treatment and care, such a case would be worth a lot more than if you recovered in a few days and returned to work.
Another key difference between a workers' compensation claim and a third-party claim is that injured workers will be able to seek compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. This pertains to the physical pain and emotional distress you have endured as a result of the injury. Your Riverside work injury attorney will be able to help you determine the amount of damages you can seek based on the circumstances of your case and the evidence that can be presented.
The value or worth of your case will also be based on the degree of negligence on the part of the defendant. For example, if you have evidence to show that your accident was caused by a person or entity's negligence or deliberate wrongdoing, your case could be worth significantly more.
How Our Work Injury Attorneys Can Help
In most cases, defendants tend to have powerful insurance companies who will be fighting hard to protect their rights. When you are injured, and your health, future and finances hang in the balance, you need an experienced and knowledgeable work injury lawyer on your side who can provide the support you need and hold the responsible parties accountable.
The experienced professionals at Greenberg And Ruby Injury Attorneys will work diligently to compile evidence that will strengthen your case. We'll make sure your work injury claim is properly evaluated and deal with insurance companies on your behalf, protecting your rights every step of the way.
Whether we negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf or take the case to trial, we will be with you till the very end. Our goal is to make sure you receive maximum compensation for your losses.
If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related injury, call us at (323) 782-0535 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation. Learn how our work injury lawyers can help with your case today!