Santa Clara County Workers' Compensation Attorneys

Lawyers For Victims of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses in Gilroy and Morgan Hill

Employees across all industries and in all types of occupations can be at risk of suffering a work-related injury, resulting in significant medical expenses and, in many cases, the inability to return to work temporarily or permanently. Fortunately, in order to alleviate these financial burdens and to ensure that injured employees are able to receive the treatment they need, California law requires employers to provide workers' compensation benefits.

If you have been injured on the job, you are entitled to submit a claim for workers' compensation to your employer, but the process can be complicated, and you may encounter unexpected obstacles. This is where the experienced attorneys at Cramer & Martinez, LLP can help. We have over 20 years of combined legal experience and a thorough understanding of the workers' compensation claims process. With our counsel and representation, you can be sure that you are doing everything possible to achieve a favorable outcome.

We serve clients from a wide range of occupations, including:

• Construction workers
• Farm workers
• Health care workers
• Office workers
• Police officers and firefighters
• Union workers
• Truck and delivery drivers
• Any other employees who have been injured at work in Gilroy, Santa Clara County, and the surrounding areas

Common Workplace Injuries in Santa Clara County

Depending on the nature of your job and the environment in which you work, you may be susceptible to a number of different injuries. It is important to note that workers' compensation covers both immediate, one-time injuries, and repetitive stress injuries that develop over time. We handle cases involving injuries such as:

• Back and spinal cord injuries: This includes back strain and pain from heavy lifting or extended periods of sitting, as well as catastrophic spinal injuries from falls or vehicle collisions that can result in paralysis.
• Head and neck injuries: This includes soft tissue injuries, fractured vertebrae in the neck, and concussions, and other traumatic brain injuries that may permanently affect mental processes.
• Knee, shoulder, and joint injuries: Joint injuries can happen immediately or develop over time due to the strain of physical labor or the repetition of certain movements.
• Occupational diseases and illnesses: Occupations that put you in close contact with hazardous materials or substances, or contagious illnesses like COVID-19, can cause you to develop short-term and long-term health conditions.
• Hearing and vision loss: Both immediate injuries and long-term exposure to loud noises and other environmental conditions can lead to impaired vision and hearing.

How to Obtain Workers' Compensation Benefits in California

Benefits are available for any employee who is injured at work, no matter who is at fault. However, it is important to follow the correct process in order to receive them. If you are injured, first and foremost you should seek any necessary emergency treatment and notify your employer as soon as possible. You may become ineligible for benefits if you do not tell your employer within 30 days of suffering the injury or becoming aware of it.

Your employer will ask you to complete and submit a claim form in which you should explain the full extent of your injuries. Your employer's workers' compensation administrator will review the form and determine whether to accept it, in which case you may be granted benefits to cover your medical care, temporary or permanent disability benefits, and supplemental job displacement benefits, depending on how severely your injuries have affected your present and future ability to work. If your claim is denied, you have the right to challenge the denial by filing an appeal with the Division of Workers' Compensation.

Your attorney will help you follow the necessary process to file your initial claim correctly and within the appropriate deadlines, and will also help you keep records of all information that can be used to support your claim. If you are denied, we will be your representative and advocate throughout the appeals process to ensure that you are treated fairly.

Contact a Hollister, CA Workers' Compensation Lawyer

If you are unsure how to proceed after your workplace injury, contact us at 408-848-1113 for a free initial consultation. We are committed to helping you recover the most compensation possible to aid in your recovery. We serve clients in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister, Salinas, San Jose, Watsonville, Los Banos, and throughout Santa Clara County, San Benito County, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, and the surrounding areas.