Your employer usually designates a doctor

When can you choose your own doctor?

• Predesignated personal physician: You can see your own doctor from day one if you "predesignated" them in writing before your injury occurred. To qualify, you must have group health insurance, and your doctor must have treated you in the past. Most importantly, they must have agreed to handle work-related injuries before the accident happened.
• Lack of a Medical Provider Network (MPN): If your employer’s insurance does not use a certified MPN, you have more flexibility. You must see the employer's chosen doctor for the first 30 days, but after that, you may switch to a different provider who is willing to take workers’ comp patients.

Know your options after a workplace injury

• Arguing that your injuries were caused by “horseplay” meaning that you were messing around, roughhousing or otherwise engaged in activities that were outside the scope of your job when your injuries were suffered.
• Claiming that you intentionally violated safety rules.
• Presenting evidence that you were intoxicated at the time of the workplace accident in question.
• Arguing that your medical condition is attributable to pre-existing conditions rather than the workplace accident.
• Indicating that your accident injuries were suffered outside of work.
• Claiming that you notified your employer or submitted your claim too late.
• Questioning whether your injuries were self-inflicted.

Completing the claim form

Exceptions to the deadlines

California workers’ compensation

Filing a claim

Medical treatment

Securing benefits

Tips for coping with a workplace injury

• Find a support group: Recovering from a workplace injury can feel isolating. You could find yourself thinking that no one understands what you’re going through, or that you’re being marginalized by your employer. These feelings can be tough to handle on your own, but you can find support from those who are going through or who have gone through a similar or even the exact situation that you’re facing. Talking to these individuals in a support group setting can help you see that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that you don’t have to be defined by your workplace injury.
• Learn about your medical condition: It’s easy to slip into feelings of hopelessness and despair after suffering an on-the-job injury. But by learning more about your medical condition, you’ll have a better idea of what it takes to reclaim your health and get back to your normal life and work. This will also allow you to ask better questions of your medical provider so that you can take more charge of your medical care.
• Find an outlet: As you recover from your injury, you might feel that you’re being defined by your condition. But you can reclaim your sense of identity and reduce your stress by finding outlets for your emotions and your expression. So, turn to the hobbies that you’re able to do, and seek out new interests that may give you a renewed sense of purpose.

Let a strong workers’ compensation claim serve as a building block to a powerful recovery

How to approach a pre-existing condition in your workers’ compensation case

Fight to protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits

• You can sue your employer for the harm that’s been caused to you, which is untrue if your employer is covered under workers’ compensation insurance unless they acted intentionally to cause you harm.
• The insurance adjuster is on your side. Instead, they will look for any evidence they can use to deny your claim.
• Workers’ compensation will only pay out if you were injured while performing your job duties. You might be able to secure benefits so long as your injury or illness was developed while at work.
• Your employer will retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. This is illegal.
• Workers’ compensation benefits are only for those who are severely injured at work. So long as your injuries were suffered at work and result in medical expenses or lost wages, you should be covered.

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to secure the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve

When can a workers’ compensation claim be appealed?

• New evidence is discovered that wasn’t available at the time of filing your initial claim.
• A legal error was made in the determination of your initial claim.
• The initial claim denial was not supported by substantial evidence.
• A procedural error occurred that could have had a negative outcome on your claim.

How to prepare for a workers’ compensation appeal

• Scrutinizing the justification for your claim denial.
• Gathering additional medical evidence.
• Reading up on the law to understand why your claim was wrongfully denied.
• Submitting all paperwork in a timely fashion.

Fight to recover the workers’ compensation benefits you need and deserve

Don't underestimate these hidden dangers

• Vibration problems: Using power tools too much can make your hands tingle and feel weak.
• Concrete burns: Wet concrete isn't just messy – it can actually burn your skin badly.
• Gradual hearing loss: Working around loud machines all day can damage your ears bit by bit.
• Dangerous dust: Breathing in tiny bits of concrete or stone dust can hurt your lungs.
• Body aches and pains: Awkward positions and doing the same motions over and over can cause lasting pain.

Protecting yourself from hidden hazards

• Wear the right safety gear for every job
• Take breaks to give your body a rest from noise and vibrations
• Wash up carefully after working with concrete
• Ask for good airflow and ways to control dust
• Move your body in ways that don't put too much stress on your muscles and joints
• Find time to let your body recover

Understanding traumatic brain injuries

Eligibility for workers’ compensation

Steps to take after a workplace TBI

Proving your claim

Conclusion