Injured at Work in Los Angeles? Know Your Rights.
A workplace injury can upend your life in an instant. Medical bills pile up, paychecks stop, and your employer's insurance carrier is already working to minimize what you receive. According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, injured workers in California are entitled to medical treatment, wage replacement, and disability benefits, yet obtaining those benefits often requires a fight.
At Cohen & Marzban, our skilled Los Angeles workplace injury attorneys have been fighting for injured workers since 1982. With over $2 billion recovered for clients and The Litigator Award™ (presented to the top 1% of trial attorneys nationally), we know how to take on employers and insurance carriers to secure the compensation you deserve.
Types of Workplace Injuries We Handle
Los Angeles workers face injury risks across nearly every industry. Our work injury attorneys in Los Angeles handle cases involving:
- Construction accidents: Falls from scaffolding, struck-by incidents, caught-in-between accidents, and tool injuries on job sites governed by Cal/OSHA regulations.
- Slip and fall injuries: Hazardous floors, unmarked wet surfaces, cluttered walkways, and inadequate lighting on employer premises.
- Repetitive stress injuries (RSI): Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and back strain from sustained physical job demands.
- Toxic exposure: Chemical burns, occupational illnesses, and long-term health effects from hazardous workplace substances.
- Machinery accidents: Crush injuries, amputations, and burn injuries caused by defective or poorly maintained equipment.
- Electrocution injuries: Electric shock from exposed wiring, faulty equipment, or unsafe job site conditions that cause severe internal injuries, cardiac events, or nerve damage.
- Brain and head injuries (TBI): Trauma from falling objects, vehicle collisions on the job, or falls from elevation.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: Damage that leads to temporary or permanent disability affecting your ability to work.
No matter where you work or what industry you're in, our experienced Los Angeles workplace injury lawyers are prepared to evaluate your case and pursue every dollar you are owed.
Workers' Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims
Most injured workers assume their only option is a workers' compensation claim. Under California Labor Code Section 3600, workers' comp is a no-fault system, allowing you to recover benefits regardless of who caused the accident. However, if a third party contributed to your injury, a separate personal injury lawsuit may significantly increase your total recovery. Our Los Angeles work-related injury attorneys evaluate both avenues from day one.
A combined workers' comp and third-party claim is often the most effective strategy for injured workers. Our injury at work lawyers in Los Angeles will identify every available source of recovery on your behalf.
What Compensation Can You Recover
The full value of a workplace injury claim depends on the severity of your injuries, whether a third party is involved, and the strength of the evidence supporting your case. As your Los Angeles work-related injury lawyers, we pursue every category of compensation available under California law.
Through Workers' Compensation
Workers' comp benefits are designed to cover your core economic losses while you recover. Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to:
- Medical benefits covering all treatment related to your work injury;
- Temporary total disability (TTD) payments while you cannot work;
- Permanent disability (PD) payments are based on your assigned disability rating;
- Supplemental job displacement benefits if you cannot return to your prior role;
- Death benefits for surviving family members in fatal workplace accidents.
Through a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim
When a contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or another negligent party contributed to your injury, a civil lawsuit can recover damages that workers' comp does not provide. Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to:
- Full lost wages and future earning capacity;
- Compensation for pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress damages, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD, resulting from the accident;
- Loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium;
- Punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Laws and Regulations Governing Workplace Injury Claims in Los Angeles
California's legal framework for workplace injuries is layered and deadline-driven, so understanding which statutes apply to your case is essential to protecting your rights and avoiding costly procedural mistakes.
