Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Ratto Law Firm, P.C. has established itself as the workers’ compensation lawyers in Sacramento and surrounding areas who tenaciously represent the rights of injured employees and their families. In fact, we’ve successfully advocated for the legitimacy of our clients’ claims and due compensation before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and Superior Court for over 30 years.

What Should I Do if I’ve Been Injured on the Job?

The first thing you should do if you suffered a personal injury at work is to report the incident to your supervisor. By immediately reporting what occurred you both protect your rights to receive benefits and avoid possible delays.

Your employer is required by law to provide you with a claim form within one working day of notification that an illness or injury occurred. If your employer or your company’s insurer fails to comply, it’s in your best interests to immediately contact a Sacramento workers’ compensation attorney.

Don’t hesitate to get the emergency medical treatment you need. Be sure to document with the medical provider that you are being treated for a job-related illness or injury.

Should I Fill Out the Forms My Employer Gave Me?

The short answer to that question is it depends. If the form is the DWC-1, then you are simply beginning the workers’ compensation process, and you do need to answer those questions. This form asks for basic information, such as your name, social security number, where the injury occurred, and the body part(s) that were injured. It is then sent to the insurance company which then starts the claims and investigation process.

Should an Attorney Assist Me with Filling Out the Workers’ Compensation Form?

Contact your  Sacramento workers’ compensation attorney In immediately if you need assistance with completing the initial form. The attorneys at Ratto Law Firm, P.C. are available to help you in the capacity you need.

It’s important to complete and submit your initial DWC-1 form in a timely manner to avoid the risk of delay or denial of benefits. An important aspect of completing the form immediately is that it may entitle you to up to $10,000 in medical care while your claim is under review.

A claim that’s completed immediately also works as a resolution document should any discrepancies arise between you and the claims administrator.

How Can a Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorney help me?

If you’ve suffered a work-related illness or injury, the attorneys at Ratto Law Firm, P.C. are experts at helping our clients obtain the benefits you are eligible for under the California Labor Code. Your Ratto workers’ compensation attorney in Sacramento has mastered all facets of the claims process whether you’ve been injured as a result of a slip and fall, car accident, or any other illness or injury while performing your job-related duties.

Ratto’s Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Are Experienced Trial Lawyers

The attorneys and support staff at Ratto Law Firm, P.C. are careful listeners and put our years of valued experience to work for you when you’ve been denied workers’ compensation claims as a result of the following:

• Construction injuries
• Work-related motor vehicle accidents
• Work-related slip-and-fall accidents
• Knee and shoulder injuries
• Traumatic heart claims
• Head and brain injuries
• Work-related death
• Denied workers’ compensation claims
• Uninsured workers’ compensation claims

The benefits that our experienced attorneys can assist you in receiving as part of your workers’ compensation Sacramento claim include the following:

• Medical care: employer paid costs as you recover from your illness or accident
• Temporary disability benefits: covers lost wages as a result of your injury
• Permanent disability benefits: continued benefits when you don’t fully recover
• Supplemental job displacement benefits: if your injury occurred in 2004 or later, a voucher covers retraining or education in the event you are unable to return to your previous employment
• Death benefits: spousal and dependent payments in the event of a job-related death

After a full investigation, our skilled attorneys will begin negotiations with your employer’s insurer in an effort to get the compensation you deserve. We are prepared to aggressively represent your rights at trial if we cannot reach an appropriate settlement.

We may also pursue a claim against the person or persons who were directly involved in injuring you.

You receive the benefit of our legal expertise on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless we win the workers’ compensation case for you.

Medical Evaluations

If you’re an injured worker, you have the right to an examination by a qualified medical evaluator (QME) or an agreed medical evaluator (AME). Each type of examination is intended to determine your benefit rights, and they may resolve any disputes regarding recommendations. The difference between the two evaluations is that the AME is selected during a negotiation between the parties involved.

What Type of Medical Care Can the Attorneys at Ratto Law Firm, P.C. Assist Me With Receiving?

As outlined by the California Workers’ Compensation System Guidebook for Injured Workers, the attorneys at Ratto Law can assist you in receiving all of the “evidence-based medical treatment” you require as a result of your illness or injury. Such treatments have been scientifically proven to relieve or cure your injuries. The guidelines stipulate the frequency, intensity, and duration of the treatment as well as those that are the most effective.

How Does Ratto Law Firm, P.C. Determine if I’m an Employee or an Independent Contractor?

Often times, employers classify employees as independent contractors to avoid paying employee-related taxes, such as workers’ compensation. The main distinction between the two titles as they relate to workers’ compensation claims is that an employee is covered while an independent contractor is not; however, your employer may not have your employment terms properly documented.

You may be labeled as an employee if any of the following characteristics apply:

• Employer-controlled details of how work is done
• Employer may fire you
• Hourly vs. salary payroll
• Employer-supplied materials and tools
• Employer-defined time schedule

Contact us if you have suffered a job-related injury or illness.