Cathedral City Workers’ Compensation Lawyer | Over $700 Million Recovered
Castillo & Associates
Address: 68-200 Ramon Rd. Cathedral City, CA 92234
Phone: 760-289-2560
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3 Decades of dedicated experience practicing workers’ compensation law in California
Castillo & Associates are highly experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Cathedral, CA. Todos hablamos Español.
If you were injured at work and need to take a significant period of time off of work as a result of the injury, worker’ compensation benefits can help cover medical expenses. It can also help you replace a portion of your income while you’re in recovery, whether your time off work is for a short period, is long-term, or permanent. Castillo & Associates are workers’ compensation attorneys in Cathedral City, CA who have decades of experience, and hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation recovered.
Workers’ compensation is a great service that helps tens of thousands of employees in California get through the challenging time period after a work-related injury, but did you know that obtaining benefits can be a bureaucratic nightmare?
As an injured worker, it is your responsibility to ensure you adhere to the procedures and deadlines to file a claim. You will also need to provide extensive documentation of the accident and your injuries. Even when you do everything correctly, you run the risk of having a claim denial from your employer or their insurance company. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but ultimately, it can leave you in serious financial distress in an already difficult time.
Obtain the Support of an Experienced Law Firm
Photo Courtesy: Paul Sableman; Creative Commons
The workers’ compensation system in California was designed to provide injured workers the benefits they need after an accident. Benefits are usually provided almost immediately after an accident, but issues can arise that can result in a claim denial or delay. If you were injured at work, seek the support of a knowledgeable Cathedral City workers’ compensation lawyer that can advocate on your behalf.
At Castillo & Associates, you will find an experienced team of attorneys who are prepared to handle the most complex and challenging workers’ compensation cases in the state. The experienced attorneys understand how workers’ compensation laws operate, and they understand what it takes to recover the benefits an injured worker needs. To obtain the wage replacement and medical care coverage you need after a work-related accident, consider obtaining the legal support of Castillo & Associates today.
Qualification for Workers’ Compensation Benefits Begins With the DWC-1 Form
If you were injured while at work or have developed an illness as a result of a work-related duty, you will need to notify your employer as soon as possible. According to the California Division of Workers’ Compensation, you should report the injury or ailment within 30 days, as this will ensure you do not lose the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Once you have reported the injury, your employer must provide you with a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC-1), which you will need to fill out and sign the “employee” portion of the form. You will need to completely describe your injury and state the areas of your body that have been affected by the injury. Once you have filled all designated portions of the form, you will need to return the form to your employer.
When your employer receives your form, the employer will also need to complete portions of the form. The employer will then need to turn the completed form to the company’s claims administrator. The employer must provide you with a copy of the completed form within one day after you have filed it. Finally, the claims administrator will decide whether the claim will be accepted or denied.
Keep Track of Your Claim
After receiving a copy of the completed DWC-1 form, you should safeguard the form for your records. Throughout your claim process, you will likely fill out and receive a substantial amount of important documents. It is recommended that you keep track of all documents, including the envelopes in which the documents arrive to prove postmarks if necessary.
To protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits, you should also consider doing the following:
- Taking note of the discussions you have had with others involved in your claim;
- Keeping track of your injury or medical condition, and how your injury ultimately affects your ability to return to work;
- Requesting that the claims administrator handling your claim provides you with copies of all medical reports and documents related to your case;
- Saving your pay stubs, along with your time sheets prior to and after the injury, which will serve to demonstrate your income, the dates you have worked, and the time you have taken off work; and
- Keeping record of all out-of-pocket expenses, such as prescription costs, to ensure coverage.
Striving to Ensure Your Claim is Approved
If you have been injured while at work, you will need to report your injury to your employer and ensure you fill out a DWC-1 form before you can receive workers’ compensation benefits. Your employer’s claims administrator will then decide whether your claim has been approved or denied.
At Castillo & Associates, you can find experienced legal support to ensure your workers’ compensation claim is approved. The firm will work with you to ensure your case has the best opportunity at being successful. If the claims administrator has denied your claim, the firm will challenge the claim denial on your behalf. Whether you are being denied workers’ compensation or have been offered an insufficient amount of benefits, consider obtaining the legal support of a Cathedral City workers’ compensation lawyer at Castillo & Associates. For a risk-free consultation, call 760-289-2560 today.
*Over $700 Million recovered in total compensation including monetary and comprehensive benefits.
