Wide-Ranging Worker’s Compensation Benefits

Monetary Coverage, Medical Treatment, and More

Workers’ compensation offers employees protection and insurance against workplace accidents and injuries, and it pays to be informed. G. Lauren Belger, ESQ. assists clients throughout Murrieta, CA and the surrounding areas with various workers’ compensation claims. She has the capabilities to make sure you receive benefits to compensate for your work injury.

Benefits Under the Workers’ Compensation Laws

Medical Treatment ​

​You’re entitled to the care reasonably required to cure or relieve you from the effects of your work injury. Treatment must be within your employer’s Medical Provider Network (MPN) unless you have a valid pre-designation signed by your treating doctor prior to your injury date.
 
Unfortunately, treatment is subject to utilization review where a doctor hired by the insurance company reviews all treatment requests by their MPN doctor for “medical necessity.” If treatment is denied, an appeal can be filed, known as Independent Medical Review (IMR). 

Temporary Total Disability and Temporary Partial Disability

If you are unable to work temporarily as a result of your work injury, perhaps because your treating doctor gave you work restrictions your employer was unable to accommodate, or you have to work a reduced schedule due to work restrictions, you are entitled to compensation in the form of two-thirds of your average weekly earnings (averaged over the 52 week period prior to your injury date). You may receive TTD or TPD for up to 2 years, or when you are released to return to work by an evaluating doctor in the workers’ compensation system, whichever occurs first. There is a maximum TTD rate for all dates of injury. You should consult with an attorney to determine whether you are receiving the appropriate temporary disability rate.

Permanent Partial and Permanent Total Disability

​If you have permanent residuals resulting from your work injury, you may receive a permanent disability award. These awards are generally paid bi-weekly until paid in full, typically at a weekly rate of $230-$290, the rate dependent upon a number of variables. Permanent disability is not intended to be a substitute for any earnings you may have lost as a result of the work injury. Therefore, it is necessary for the injured worker to attempt to find work within his or her restrictions as soon as possible after being released from the evaluating doctor.

Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB)

This is a $6,000 certificate to get retrained at a state-accredited school if your employer is unable to accommodate permanent work restrictions a doctor may give you.

Return to Work Fund

This is a $5,000 payment by the State of California for those whose employers were unable to accommodate permanent work restrictions. The SJDB is required to apply for the Return to Work payment.

Death Benefits

Unfortunately, some workers lose their lives as a result of a workplace injury or illness. When that happens, the worker’s dependents may be eligible for death benefits. As it can be a confusing time for a family and what is considered a “dependent” is not always entirely clear or well-established, you may need a competent attorney to ensure your family receives the benefits to which they are entitled.

Schedule a Workers’ Compensation Consultation

A highly experienced workers’ compensation attorney, G. Lauren Belger, ESQ. will fight by your side to ensure that you are compensated fairly. Whether you require medical treatments, permanent disability awards, or SJDB vouchers, Lauren is at your service. No fees if you do not win. Call now for your free, no-obligation consultation.