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What Is the Workers Compensation Process in Los Angeles?

February 27, 2025 Legal Team

To initiate the workers’ compensation process in Los Angeles, an employee must notify their employer within 30 days of the work-related injury or illness. The employer will provide a claim form (DWC-1), which the employee completes and returns. The insurance company then investigates the claim and determines the benefits to provide. 

Contact our Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys at Aegis Law Firm for legal support. Call us at (949) 379-6250 today.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides financial and medical benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. In Los Angeles, as in the rest of California, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of the size of their business or the number of employees. This ensures that employees who get injured or become ill due to their work conditions receive necessary medical care, compensation for lost wages, and support for rehabilitation.

The primary purpose of workers’ compensation is to protect both employees and employers. Employees receive financial assistance without having to prove the employer’s negligence, and in return, they forfeit the right to sue their employer for most workplace injuries. This no-fault system streamlines the process, ensuring that injured workers receive timely benefits.

What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can I Receive?

California’s workers’ compensation system provides several types of benefits to injured employees, including:

Medical Benefits

This covers all necessary medical expenses related to the injury or illness, such as doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, physical therapy, and medical equipment. The goal is to provide treatment that helps you recover and return to work.

Temporary Disability Benefits

If the injury prevents you from working temporarily, you are entitled to temporary disability payments. These payments are generally two-thirds of your average weekly wages, subject to minimum and maximum limits set by state law.

Permanent Disability Benefits

If the injury leads to a permanent physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to earn a living, you may be eligible for permanent disability benefits. The amount depends on the severity of the impairment, your age, occupation, and future earning capacity.

If you need help to increase your approval odds and ensure you receive the benefits you deserve, contact our Los Angeles disability attorneys today.

Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits

If you cannot return to your previous job due to the injury and your employer does not offer suitable modified work, you may receive a voucher for job retraining or skill enhancement.

Death Benefits

If an employee dies due to a work-related injury or illness, their dependents (such as a spouse or children) are entitled to death benefits, which include funeral expenses and financial support.

Workers’ Compensation Settlements in California

Workers’ compensation claims in Los Angeles can be resolved through settlements. There are two main types of settlements:

Stipulated Findings and Award

This settlement option involves an agreement between the injured worker and the employer’s insurance company on the level of permanent disability and the benefits to be paid. The payments are typically made periodically, and the worker retains the right to seek additional medical care related to the injury.

Compromise and Release (C&R)

In a C&R settlement, the injured worker receives a lump sum payment to cover all benefits, including future medical expenses. Once the settlement is approved, the case is closed, and the worker cannot seek additional compensation for that injury. This option provides finality but may require careful consideration, since future medical costs are no longer covered.

Contact our employment lawyers in Los Angeles if you need legal support through the workers’ compensation process. Call us at (949) 379-6250.