When people get injured on the job, they face an uncertain future. They may not be able to return to work anytime soon. This may mean real financial difficulties at the same time that medical bills may be a concern.
Many people are more worried about keeping their job than they are about getting better. This makes them reluctant to seek the help they deserve. Working with the right attorney can help ensure that you do not have to choose between getting the medical care you need and protecting your job.
Some of the questions injured workers commonly ask include:
We offer our assistance to workers of all types who have been injured on the job, including:
At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe , we understand the hurdles that injured workers face, and we are dedicated to helping them clear those obstacles. Attorney Anthony Choe began his career defending employers against workers’ compensation claims. He did that work for six years before deciding to take what he learned in that role to help people. He saw firsthand the difficulties people faced and decided to use his talents and experience to help people fight for the compensation and benefits they need to help them get through the tough times they face after being hurt on the job.
If you have been injured on the job, do not hesitate to begin protecting your rights. Turn to the Law Offices of Anthony Choe . To schedule a free initial consultation, call
213-788-4448 or contact us online.
For those who have tried to navigate the workers’ compensation system on their own after an on-the-job injury, a denied claim may seem like the end of the road. Do not be discouraged. That is not the case. Claims are often denied at the initial stages. Appealing denied claims is a regular part of the workers’ compensation process.
Even if your claim was admitted, there are still many benefits to filing an appeal, such as:
At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe, we can help you take action to pursue your workers’ compensation claim even when you think you have run out of chances. With our deep understanding of the process, we know the next steps to take and how to make the most of them for you. Attorney Anthony Choe previously worked as a workers’ compensation defense attorney. He defended insurance companies against workers’ compensation claims. Now, attorney Choe uses what he learned in that role to help people get all of the benefits and compensation they are entitled to.
Sometimes, a worker who is injured on the job follows the proper procedure of reporting the incident, files for workers’ compensation benefits and the process proceeds without complications. In these cases, it is unnecessary to hire a lawyer.
Other times, however, injured workers encounter problems that prevent them from receiving benefits they are due or they receive less than they deserve. In some cases, benefits are canceled before the injured party is able to return to work.
When disputes arise with a workers’ compensation claim, it is wise to enlist the help of a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Without a lawyer by your side, mistakes can be made involving medical treatment or in the presentation of medical information that can throw your claim into more disarray.
At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe, we help injured workers in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California resolve disputes involving workers’ comp claims and recover the benefits they deserve.
Every case is different, of course, but there are some common characteristics of workers’ comp cases that may indicate hiring a lawyer is a good idea. These include:
Successfully appealing a denied claim requires thorough knowledge of California workers’ compensation laws and why insurance companies deny claims. We work with these claims all day, every day, and understand how to combat the strategies employed by insurance defense lawyers.
We welcome the opportunity to review the fact of your workers’ compensation dispute and recommend the best steps to resolve the matter.
A workers’ compensation attorney is paid on a contingency fee basis, which means he or she only gets paid if a client recovers benefits. The fee depends upon the complexity of the case, and is usually between 9 percent and 15 percent of the total permanent disability benefits recovered.
Any fee must be approved by the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Once it is approved, your employer’s insurer will deduct the amount from the lump sum settlement or the weekly indemnity check and send the fee to your attorney.
California law caps the attorney fee in workers’ compensation cases at 15 percent. That is less than the fee that typically goes to a law firm in a personal injury lawsuit. In those cases, the law firm can receive 33 percent or more of a recovery.
A workers’ compensation attorney also may be paid for taking an injured applicant’s deposition. This is known as a 5710 fee (named after Section 5710 of the California Labor Code). It is paid by the employer’s insurance company and does not reduce the recovery the injured worker receives.
How workers’ compensation cases are valued is a complex matter. The lawyer you choose to represent you can make a significant difference in the amount you recover. Our goal is to always put more money in your pocket than you would recover without us, even after our fee is paid.
We welcome the opportunity to review the facts of your case and recommend a course of action. We represent clients in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. A good deal of work can be accomplished through telephone conversations and by exchanging emails.
It’s a question posed by many injured workers who file workers’ compensation claims: How will I know if I am being treated fairly by my employer and receiving the full amount of benefits I deserve?
If you are hurt on the job, your employer is required to pay the full cost of medical treatment and replace a percentage of your wages if you are unable to work or if you cannot return to work full time. Every claim is different, and determining the right amount of benefits that an injured worker should receive can be complex. There is the question of permanent or temporary disability and whether long-term or even permanent medical treatment is necessary.
Employers and their insurance companies are interested in minimizing the amount they pay out in workers’ compensation benefits. At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe, we work to maximize what our clients in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California recover.
In order to ensure that you receive all of the benefits you deserve, it is important to work with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney like Mr. Choe. He will review the facts of your case and determine what benefits you qualify for. These include:
Many injured workers ask about compensation for pain and suffering. That is not compensable in California workers’ compensation cases. It is possible in a small percentage of workers’ compensation cases to also file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party. We can review the facts of your case during a free consultation to determine if a personal injury lawsuit is warranted.
The workers’ compensation lawyer you work with can make a significant difference in the amount you recover. We have the experience to protect your interests and ensure you recover the full amount of benefits you deserve.
Ideally, everyone who is injured on the job will receive the health care he or she needs for a full recovery and then he or she can return to work. But, not everyone can return to work. Serious and permanent injuries can create problems that prevent people from being able to fulfill the necessary responsibilities of their positions.
Too often the insurance company doctors send people back to work too soon. People may not be recovered fully enough to do their old jobs, but the insurance companies do not want to pay for benefits.
People may be forced to go back to work while still in great pain. They may believe they have to do it, and when they try and it hurts, they get dispirited and quit. That may be the exact outcome the employer and insurance company want.
If you feel that you were forced to go back to work too soon, we will be happy to discuss your situation with you.
There are several different categories of disability that the workers’ compensation system uses to categorize people’s injuries:
At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe, our firm is here to provide the support people need after being injured on the job. We are strong advocates who know how to use the workers’ compensation system to secure all of the benefits and compensation that people are entitled to. Whether you need permanent benefits or you will be able to recover and return to work, we will present a strong claim that helps you get the care and support you need.
Attorney Anthony Choe spent the first six years of his career defending employers against workers’ compensation claims. During that time, he learned how the insurance companies value and react to these cases. He uses that insider’s perspective to help his clients through the tough times.
For real help after you realize that you cannot work anymore because of an on-the-job injury, turn to the Law Offices of Anthony Choe.
California workers’ compensation laws state that employers must pay for medical care that is reasonably required to cure or relieve the effects of a work-related injury or illness. A process known as utilization review (UR) is used to determine whether to approve medical treatment that is recommended by a treating doctor.
Many injured workers reach out to our law firm after an employer’s claims administrator denies them medical treatment that has been recommended by a treating physician. Medical providers usually check to make sure treatment is covered by an employer’s insurance company before treating an injured worker. If it is not covered, the injured party will not receive the treatment and recovery could be delayed.
It is widely believed that UR is used to prevent injured workers from receiving medical treatment that is necessary for a full recovery. In addition, employers have significant control over the medical professionals from whom an injured worker can seek treatment. In a large percentage of cases, injured workers must be treated by a doctor who is in the employer’s medical provider network (MPN). As a result, it is common for injured workers to feel they are not receiving the treatment they need.
At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe, we help injured workers in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California understand their rights regarding medical treatment. Attorney Anthony Choe has established strong working relationships with a broad network of medical providers who are in many provider networks. Our familiarity with these providers allows us to steer clients to those we know and trust.
In many cases, we are able to help our clients resolve medical treatment denials and receive the treatment they need. At the same time, we help our clients receive the treatment they need to recover, and we also help many of them receive the full amount of temporary disability benefits for which they qualify.
If you have been denied treatment for a work injury, or if you are not receiving the quality of care you would like, it may be time to call a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer. We welcome the opportunity to review the facts of your case and recommend an effective course of action.
After being injured on the job, you need to think of your own priorities first and you need to act accordingly. Here are some basic first steps and advice that can help preserve your ability to bring a successful workers’ compensation claim.
At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe , our firm is here to help guide you through the workers’ compensation process from beginning to end. While we encourage people to come to us as soon as they have been injured, we want people to know that we take cases on at any point in the process. So, if you are unhappy with the progress of your case, we will be happy to talk to you and let you know if we can help.
Attorney Anthony Choe brings years of experience on the other side of these types of cases. He began his career as a workers’ compensation defense attorney. He now uses what he learned in that role to help injured workers fight for what they need to help them move forward with their lives again.
Taking the right steps after being hurt on the job can be essential to protecting your ability to obtain compensation and benefits. Turn to the Law Offices of Anthony Choe for help understanding what you need to do.
It’s common for individuals who work a number of years at labor-intensive jobs to have suffered some type of injury or developed a chronic medical condition. Under California law, if a worker suffers an aggravation of a pre-existing injury or disease, it constitutes a new injury and is compensable through the workers’ compensation process.
These cases are complex. Because employers are intent on minimizing the amount of benefits they pay out, they often argue the aggravation of a pre-existing injury was not related to work activity and does not qualify for workers’ comp benefits.
At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe , our role is to prove that the aggravation of a pre-existing injury or illness is directly related to work activity. Your duties at work may cause a temporary or permanent increase in disability that may require medical treatment or a change of course in ongoing treatment.
Attorney Anthony Choe will review your past medical records carefully in order to be thoroughly familiar with past injuries. Mr. Choe knows how to analyze test results, and he understands what aspects of diagnostic testing are important to prove your case.
If your pre-existing medical condition aggravates, it is often a good idea to enlist the assistance of a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer like Mr. Choe to help submit your initial claim. The key to recovering the benefits you deserve is presenting medical evidence that shows your pre-existing injury was substantially aggravated by a work accident or work-related activity.
We welcome the opportunity to review the facts of your case and recommend an effective course of action. The initial consultation is free, and we only collect if you do.
We represent clients in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.
No one plans for an accident. Unfortunately, not knowing what steps to take after a serious on-the-job injury can greatly harm your health and financial stability.
At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe, we advocate for California’s injured workers and help them secure the full workers’ compensation benefits they need. If you are suffering from a workplace illness or injury, take immediate action. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove your claim. Below, we created a checklist of steps to take after an on-the-job accident to give your workers’ compensation claim the best chance for success.
Every situation is different. If you want more information about what you should do in your specific situation, call our Los Angeles office at 213-788-4448. We can discuss your options during a free initial case consultation. You can also contact us online.
Take the following actions after a workplace accident to protect your overall health and well-being.
After a serious injury or illness, the last thing you want to do is navigate a complex legal system. At the Law Offices of Anthony Choe , we get that. Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help you understand the workers’ compensation system, process and benefits.
Call our Los Angeles office at 213-788-4448 with any additional questions. You can also contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We will make sure that all your questions are answered and that you have the information you need during this stressful time.
Workers’ compensation benefits cover the following:
Yes, workers’ compensation benefits are available regardless of fault. However, you are not eligible for benefits if you were intoxicated at the time of your injury or if you intentionally harmed yourself.
You have one year from the date of your injury or onset of your illness to file a workers’ compensation claim. We recommend filing your claim as soon as possible so necessary evidence is still available. Waiting to file your claim can make your case much more difficult to prove.
No. Your employer cannot fire you or otherwise retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If they do, we can help you file an employment law claim against your employer.
It is not unusual for an initial workers’ compensation claim to be denied. You can appeal your denied claim with the help of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
Initially, your claim was only assessed and denied by the insurance company. With an appeal, a workers’ compensation judge will evaluate your situation and determine whether you are eligible for benefits.
If a work-related activity aggravated a preexisting injury or illness, you can claim workers’ compensation benefits. California treats the aggravation as a new injury.
These types of claims can be trickier to prove and may require medical evaluation in addition to legal help from a skilled workers’ compensation attorney.
In California, workers’ compensation benefits cover up to two-thirds of your pre-tax paycheck. The state also caps the maximum amount that you can collect. The limit is adjusted each year for inflation. You cannot go above the maximum set cap, regardless of your standard paycheck amount.
No. If you accept workers’ compensation benefits, you lose your ability to file a lawsuit against your employer. We can evaluate your situation and advise which route you should take.
Workers’ compensation cases are accepted on a contingency fee basis. You do not owe any attorney fees unless we successfully gain benefits on your behalf. At that time, 15% of your awarded benefits would be taken out and paid to your attorney.
If you have been injured on the job, do not hesitate to begin protecting your rights. Turn to the Law Offices of Anthony Choe . To schedule a free initial consultation, call 213-986-8498 or contact us online.
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