Workers often think it is too late to call a lawyer to discuss their workers’ compensation claim. Maybe they have already filed a claim or had it denied. Others may think they waited too long to tell their employer or file a claim.
The licensed attorneys at Berry, Smith & Bartell are available to answer your questions about workers’ compensation claims, regardless of the status of your application. We have extensive knowledge of the process and eligibility criteria for benefits. Our goal is to recover maximum compensation for our clients.
Even if you have already filed a claim, we may be able to help you. The initial consultation is free of charge and comes with no obligation to hire our services. If we validate your claim and you do hire us, we are prepared to guide you through the rest of the process. Despite mistakes you may have made, you may still be eligible for benefits.
Most employees do not learn much about California’s workers’ compensation system until they suffer an injury. Even then, they may not learn all that much. They may just file a claim and hope they receive benefits while they are unable to work.
That is why it can be a bad idea not to talk to a Fresno workers’ compensation attorney about your application. Even if you have already filed a claim, our knowledgeable lawyers can review your situation in a free consultation and determine if your claim is likely to be approved. We can also discuss how we may be able to help you if your claim is denied, such as by collecting more evidence or talking to witnesses.
The consultation is 100 percent free of charge and there is no obligation to hire our firm. You decide what you want to do next.
It can also be a bad idea to make a judgment about whether the denial of your claim can be overturned. Our attorneys have helped many employees appeal denied claims.
There are legitimate reasons a claim may be denied, such as the injury not being work-related or the injury being the result of a fight or horseplay while you should be working. However, there are many considerations that go into whether an injury is work-related. It can be very difficult to assess these factors on your own.
You also should not completely trust your employer or workers’ compensation insurer on this. They will often look for ways to deny a claim to avoid paying out compensation.
We know how to negotiate an appropriate settlement of your claim, file paperwork for your appeal, prepare for a hearing, and represent you at the hearing. We know the information needed to complete the paperwork for your appeal, and we carefully review documents before they are submitted to catch any errors.
It can be difficult for workers to determine if their injury was work-related, particularly if they were injured outside of their regular jobsite, outside of normal business hours, while traveling or while on a lunch break.
That is why it is so important to contact an experienced attorney with a history of recovering compensation for injured workers in California. At Berry, Smith & Bartell, we have more than 60 years of combined experience recovering benefits for injury victims in the Central Valley.
