Redding Workers' Compensation Blog

Most important deadlines when filing a workers' comp claim

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

After suffering an injury at work in California, you need to begin the claims process as soon as possible. There is no time to waste. Your employer should provide you with a claim form within one day of learning about your injury, and you need to fill it out posthaste.

Workers' compensation claims frequently receive denials. One common explanation for why this occurs is that the employee failed to meet a deadline for a vital piece of paperwork. You can still get coverage by appealing the decision, but everything becomes delayed. Here are important deadlines you should not miss as you go through the workers' compensation process.

Protecting yourself from repetitive stress injuries

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Like most residents of Redding, you work hard to provide for your family. Whether you love your job or merely tolerate it, you should not have to worry about sustaining a serious injury at work. Still, your employer may require you to perform the sort of repetitive tasks that can cause long-term harm.

When you are at work, you always comply with safety procedures. Even with your best efforts, though, you may develop a repetitive stress injury. To ensure you can continue to work, you may need to exercise your legal right to pursue compensation for injuries sustained on the job. You should know, however, that not all injuries involve broken bones or bloody wounds.

Can you get workers' comp for carpal tunnel?

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze on Friday, September 7, 2018.

With an increasing number of employees around the country sitting at a desk for hours on end at work, many people have begun to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel occurs when the tunnel in the wrist becomes too narrow, which puts an immense amount of pressure on the median nerve. It can result in a great deal of discomfort as well as weakness, tingling and numbness.

Workers' compensation most often applies to significant injuries that take place at work, such as slip and falls. However, workers' comp can sometimes apply to instances of carpal tunnel. The employee will need to provide evidence that his or her duties directly correlate to the condition because in some cases, carpal tunnel is a genetic issue.

Why should I report my workplace injury in California?

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

If you suffer an injury on the job, especially if it is not a necessarily serious injury, you may be wondering if you should report it to your employer. Many employees choose not to report workplace injuries because they fear they may lose their job or experience other forms of retaliation by their employer.

The bottom line, however, is that it is critical that you report your workplace injury in California as soon as it happens, or as soon as you become aware of the injury. Waiting to report or deciding not to report can have serious consequences for you, your health and your finances as time goes on.

Some reasons employers wrongly deny a workers' comp claim

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze posted in blog on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Many employers are understanding and responsive when it comes to workers' compensation claims. They approach the matter from a position of trust, knowing that if they treat their employees well, their employees have less incentive to try to file a false claim.

However, there are some employers, even those that appear ethical, who deny workers' compensation claims for dubious or outright wrong reasons. Here are a top few.

Can I receive benefits for nonaccident injuries and illnesses?

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze posted in blog on Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

As an employee in the Redding area, you may be under the impression that you cannot receive workers’ compensation benefits unless a workplace accident caused your injuries. It is true that injuries that occur on the job are usually compensable with workers' comp benefits.

However, if you suffer certain health conditions, fall ill or incur injuries while on the job, you may also qualify. Here is a brief overview of workers’ compensation benefits and nonaccidental workplace injuries.

Is a lawyer necessary for a workers' compensation claim?

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze posted in blog on Friday, September 15, 2017.

When you suffer an injury on the job, the first thing on your mind after seeking medical attention is obtaining financial compensation to pay for the medical bills and lost wages. You may be in such a hurry to receive the money that you forgo hiring a lawyer out of fear that doing so will make the claim take longer.

However, the opposite is usually true. Not having an attorney help you generally leads to a delay in benefits. The following are even more reasons to hire a lawyer when filing a workers' compensation claim.

What to do after your workers' comp claim is denied

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze posted in blog on Wednesday, June 21, 2017.

Workers’ compensation is an important benefit that should protect employees and ensure they receive the treatment they need after an injury. Unfortunately, this ideal is not always the reality when workers go to file a claim. According to the United State Department of Labor, in fact, as many as 46 percent of applications end in a denial upon first submission in the state of California.

This is a startling statistic, but the thought of giving up after a denial is even more startling. Fortunately, there is an appeals process in place that allows injured workers to continue seeking compensation. There are a few steps you should take in order to continue pursuing your case.

Traumatic brain injuries take a toll on young workers

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze posted in workplace injuries on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

Workplace injuries take a toll on every worker affected by them, but not all injuries are equally serious in the long term, and not all are equally visible. One injury that is more common than many employers and workers realize is traumatic brain injury. TBI has a profound effect on workers even when physical recovery seems to happen quickly, so it is important that those who are injured on the job have the right benefits and support to recover as fully as possible.

Questions and answers about workers' compensation and injuries on the job

On behalf of Leep, Tescher, Helfman and Zanze posted in workers' compensation on Monday, December 19, 2016.

In every field or profession, there is a chance that you can be injured on the job. Sometimes these injuries are basic and easily treated while others can put you in the hospital and completely change the course of your life. Most companies use workers' compensation insurance to help cover the financial costs when an employee is injured on the job, but it's important that the employee understands the basics of how the process works.