Fresno Work Injury Lawyer

When you are injured at work, you have a right to file for workers' compensation benefits. If your employer fires you or retaliates against you for exercising this right, you may be entitled to additional compensation under California Labor Code §132a.

If you are hiring a workers' compensation attorney and were retaliated against for pursuing workers' compensation benefits, it is very important that you hire an attorney who will pursue your rights for both workers' compensation disability benefits and for §132a penalties.

I am Karl A. Gerber, founder and lead trial attorney of the Employment Lawyers Group. Our attorneys represent employees in all types of employment disputes, including wrongful termination. Contact us to discuss your case and explain your options. We handle cases in all parts of California.

Can My Employer Fire Me if the Accident Was My Fault?

This is a very complicated legal issue we recommend you consult an experienced attorney about.

Being terminated solely due to a work-related injury is a difficult issue, as two different California Courts of Appeal have come to conflicting rulings. If you suspect your termination was due to a work injury, it is important to speak to the Employment Lawyers Group. A detailed analysis must be taken to see if your injury qualifies as a serious medical condition under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), or a disability requiring accommodation.

Retaliation for Pursuing Workers' Compensation Benefits

It is illegal for your employer to fire you, demote you or take adverse actions against you for:

1. Having an on-the-job injury
2. Filing a workers' compensation claim

Examples of times when you should consult an attorney include:

1. You and your doctor disagree about your care, or return to work.
2. You do not believe your employer is sending you to neutral doctors.
3. You have a permanent injury.
4. You cannot go back to your given profession due to your injury.
5. You need to be out of work a long time.
6. Your employer will not accommodate your work injuries.

Permanent or Disabling Injury? Claim for Benefits Denied or Disputed?

Why hire a workers' compensation lawyer — and when is it necessary? Insurance disputes are common. You likely need counsel and protection from a skilled, knowledgeable California workers' compensation attorney if:

1. Your injury or work-related illness is serious, long-term and/or potentially disabling.
2. Your workers' comp claims has been unfairly denied, or you are suffering due to delays in payment.
3. You have been fired since filing the claim or believe you will not be allowed to return to work.
4. You are dealing with harassment from the insurance company or your employer.
5. You are being sent to the company's doctor, who is biased toward the employer.

Workers' compensation is based upon disability ratings that determine how much your claim is worth. These tables are not available to the public. Trying to settle on your own could:

1. Deprive you of money for essential future medical care.
2. Cause abandonment of an important part of your claim — or the failure to make the right claims.
3. Lead to sacrifices based on financial concerns, since workers' compensation lawyers' fees are 10 to 15 percent of the settlement and are paid by the insured (employer).

Contact Work Comp and Employment Lawyers Serving California Employees

You would not operate on yourself, so why try to pursue a case for your disability compensation on your own?

Work comp representation does not require upfront payments, and we earn court-approved, modest attorney fees only if we help you resolve your claim favorably. Call (818) 783-7300 or send us an e-mail now to learn more.

Getting Proper Medical Care for a Work Injury

As soon as possible after suffering an injury on the job, you should report what happened to your employer. In most cases, you will be entitled to California workers' compensation benefits, which cover necessary medical treatment, replacement of lost income, and other needs.

Unfortunately, getting proper medical care for a work injury turns out to be an imposing challenge for many California workers. Wrongful work comp claim denials are common, and disputes arise that put workers and families in dire straits.

Turn to Our California Work Injury Lawyers for Guidance and Protection

Our work on your behalf could make all the difference in your ability to:

1. Get professional, qualified care from the right physicians — not just those selected by your employer or insurer.
2. Defend your rights to compensation effectively if your situation is complicated.
3. Ensure that you receive all benefits you are entitled to, including vocational rehabilitation or a lump-sum settlement.
4. Protect you against wrongful termination or pursue a well-prepared lawsuit if your employer terminates you.

If your work injury is serious or potentially disabling for the long term, it can be critical to contact a knowledgeable, action-oriented California workers' compensation lawyer.

To request a consultation on your case, call our respected law firm at (818) 783-7300 or send us an e-mail. Se habla español.

Fresno, California Workplace Safety Violations Attorney

It is unconscionable for an employer to put profits above the health and safety of its employees. In California it is also illegal. You have a right to report health and safety violations at your work site. If your employer fires you or punishes you for exercising your rights, you may be entitled to compensation.

The law on whether you can sue for wrongful termination due to a work related injury has become complicated due to conflicting California Courts of Appeal decisions. For proper legal advice, please contact us so we can determine your best course of option.

Protecting the Health and Safety of Workers: If conditions of your workplace are unsafe or unhealthful, you have several options:

1. Report the conditions to your employer.
2. File a complaint with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH/Cal/OSHA) and request an inspection. Your name will not be revealed until you request otherwise.
3. If a Cal/OSHA investigator is inspecting your site, you can bring the conditions to their attention.

You also have the right to refuse to perform work that violates occupational safety or health standard when doing so would create a real and apparent hazard to you or any other worker.

Contact an OSHA Safety Violations Lawyer Serving Fresno: To speak to a Fresno workplace safety violations attorney, call (818) 783-7300 toll free for and ask about our free consultation. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis with no upfront costs. Se habla español.