Los Angeles County Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Compassionate County Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

Employees in Los Angeles County have the right to a safe workplace.  When they are injured on the job, they should have the ability to recover benefits through workers’ compensation.  If you are injured because of an accident, an illness, or a developmental condition from your work duties, you could recover benefits.  A Los Angeles County workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and protect your rights.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at Larson, Larson & Dauer

At Larson, Larson & Dauer, we have over 40 years of legal experience in workers’ compensation law, employment law, and personal injury law.  We can aid you as you file a workers’ compensation claim or navigate a denied and disputed claim.  Our firm focuses dedicated attention on cases, providing the personalized legal care our clients deserve.  We take the cases we believe we can do justice to.

We have secured over half a billion dollars for clients in workers’ comp cases.  While these prior results do not guarantee a future outcome for other cases, they show our commitment to the work we do for employees throughout our communities.  Our team also provides legal services in Spanish.

Our firm understands how frustrating the workers’ compensation system can be.  We want to help employees in the communities we serve pursue the benefits they are owed.

Employers in LA County and Workers’ Compensation

Employees in any industry can face hazards and be injured on the job.  Some industries have higher rates of injuries than others, and several occupations carry an especially high risk of severe and disabling injuries, affecting an employee for the rest of their life.  There were approximately 454,100 nonfatal workplace injuries throughout California in 2024, or a rate of 3.3 per 100 full-time employees.

Some common industries and employers where injuries occur in Los Angeles County include:

• Aerospace.  The aerospace industry is a big part of Los Angeles County’s economy, like the major Lockheed-Martin facility in Palmdale.  Air transportation had an injury rate of 7.1 per 100 full-time employees in 2024.  Transportation equipment manufacturing had a rate of 3.5 per 100.
• There are numerous hazards in this area of employment, from sudden injuries to repetitive motion strain.  One of the key hazards faced by aerospace employees is the risk of exposure to toxic substances in the workplace.
• Warehousing.  Transportation and warehousing had a rate of 5.4 nonfatal injuries per 100 full-time employees throughout the state.  There are many major employers and worksites for warehousing and transportation throughout the county, particularly in Los Angeles, due to its proximity to the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach.
• Construction.  The construction industry sees hazards like vehicle collisions, falls, falling equipment, malfunctioning machinery, and even structure collapses.  There were approximately 27,000 injuries in the construction industry during 2024.  Injuries on construction sites are generally more likely to lead to catastrophic injury and death.
• Education.  Educational services had a rate of 6.8 nonfatal injuries per 100 full-time workers.  This includes injuries to employees working in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), serving communities like Inglewood and Huntington Park.  Most employees in schools face numerous illnesses, but other types of injuries can also occur.
• Healthcare.  There were 69,500 injuries in the healthcare and social assistance fields throughout 2024, or a rate of 4.3 injuries per 100 employees.  Employees in healthcare are often exposed to serious illnesses.  They must complete strenuous work that causes repeated strain, and they can face exhaustion while working.
• Hospitality.  The hospitality sector includes industries like arts and entertainment, food services, accommodations, laundry services, and repairs and maintenance.  There were 50,000 workplace injuries in the leisure and hospitality industry across California.
• Entertainment.  The arts and entertainment industry saw 8,900 nonfatal workplace injuries.  These included injuries in major media companies and movie studios throughout Glendale, like Halon Entertainment, LLC, or 51 Minds Entertainment.

If you were injured in these or other fields in Los Angeles County, our firm can help you.  We understand workers’ compensation laws, so we know how to pursue compensation for many types of injuries in the industries essential to the area.

Understanding the Workers’ Compensation Process

Getting workers’ compensation benefits should be straightforward, but it is often a confusing and frustrating process for employees.  After you suffer a sudden injury or become aware of a developed injury, your claim for workers’ compensation tends to follow these steps:

1. Reporting.  First, report the injury to your employer as soon as you can.  If you need immediate medical treatment, get emergency care.
2. Filing.  When you report your injury, your employer should provide you with the form you need, the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) claim form.  Otherwise, you can secure the form from a DWC Information & Assistance officer.  Fill out this form, describing your injury accurately and completely.  File the form by giving it to your employer.
3. Treatment.  Get your injury, illness, or condition treated by a doctor.  Treatment is crucial to recover from or manage your injury, and it is also necessary for the claim.  The primary treating physician determines when you should return to work and what job duties you can complete.  They also provide information to determine your benefits.
4. Review.  Your employer will fill out their own form and send both forms to the claims administrator, who will review the claim and assess whether to accept or deny your claim.  This must be done within 90 days.  If your claim is accepted, then you will begin receiving workers’ compensation benefits.  These include coverage for your medical care and certain benefits for your lost income.
5. Appeal.  If your claim is denied, the claims administrator has determined that your injury is not covered by workers’ compensation.  You can appeal this decision through the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).  This assigns a judge to your case to determine if you should receive benefits.

Navigating this process is often more complicated than it should be.  The claims administrator may work for the insurance company that your employer pays for, so they will often try to limit your benefits.  With the support of an attorney, it is less stressful and much easier to navigate the process and assert your rights.  If your claim is being illegally delayed or unfairly disputed, an attorney can work to prove what you are owed.

Areas We Serve

Our firm can help you with your workers’ compensation claim in Los Angeles County.  We serve numerous communities and cities throughout the area, including:

• Baldwin Park
• Huntington Park
• Glendale
• Glendora
• Los Angeles
• Compton
• Inglewood
• Downey
• Lancaster
• Palmdale
• Ridgecrest

Whether you are dealing with a back injury, a severe muscle strain, a traumatic brain injury, or another condition, our team can assist you.

FAQs

Q: Can a Hernia Be Covered Under Workers’ Comp?

A: A hernia could be covered under workers’ comp, depending on how it occurred.  If it happened or got worse because of your work duties, you likely could file a workers’ compensation claim.  Hernias on the job are often caused by repetitive strain from lifting or other motions.  Like other repetitive strain injuries, it can be hard to prove that they were caused by your work duties, and insurance may claim that the injury is unrelated.

Q: What Is the New Law for Workers’ Comp in California?

A: One of the new laws that impacts workers’ comp in California is SB 847, now section 3720.2 of the Labor Code, which makes it easier for the Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation to collect from employers who fail to get the required workers’ compensation insurance.  The law helps the director secure property that was placed in a trust to protect the uninsured employer’s interests.  This also helps employees get the benefits they are entitled to.

Q: Is Plantar Fasciitis a Work-Related Injury?

A: Plantar fasciitis could be a work-related injury, depending on your form of employment, your work duties, and what you do outside of work.  These are gradual injuries from repetitive motion strain, and insurance companies are likely to try to claim that your injury was caused by other things you do in your life.  It’s important to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to prove how your plantar fasciitis occurred and potentially recover compensation.

Q: What Are the Three Main Requirements to Get Workers’ Compensation in Los Angeles County?

A: Generally, the three main requirements to get workers’ compensation in Los Angeles County are:

1. Work for an employer who is required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
2. Be an employee.
3. Be injured while working or because of your job duties.

You do not have to prove that anyone was negligent to get workers’ compensation, as it is a no-fault system.  However, there are some restrictions, such as if you intentionally caused your injury.

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Consult a Los Angeles County Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Filing for workers’ compensation is much easier with an experienced legal team that understands the system and what benefits you are owed.  It’s important to act quickly to report your injury, file your claim, and get in touch with a dedicated attorney.

At Larson, Larson & Dauer, we can assess your workers’ comp claim, review what damages you deserve, and pursue a successful outcome for your claim.  Reach out to our firm today to learn more.