Workers' Compensation

The Law Offices of Richard J. Maietta represents injured employees throughout Southern California in workers' compensation claims, including in Covina, East Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Valley, Pomona Valley and the Inland Empire.

Workers' compensation law defines the rights of a worker who is injured or becomes ill due to a work-related incident and allows the injured worker to recover appropriate benefits, including medical expenses, permanent disability, temporary disability, and supplemental job displacement. California law requires your employer to pay your workers' compensation benefits if you suffered an injury or became sick because of work. Your employer cannot discriminate against you, fire you, or punish you for filing a workers' compensation claim.

At the Law Offices of Richard J. Maietta we are committed to protecting the rights of injured workers. We understand that being unable to work because of a workplace injury is a difficult situation, and our goal is to simplify the process as much as possible. We represent clients who have suffered an injury due to an accident on the job, who have gradually developed an injury or illness due to repetitive trauma or toxic exposure, or who have been injured by third parties, such as other drivers on the road, employees of other companies, or manufacturers of defective products.

Understanding the Workers' Compensation Process

We are dedicated to helping injured workers successfully navigate through California's workers' compensation claim process. It is important to report your injury promptly to your employer, and obtain a DWC-1 Claim Form and fill it out and return it to your employer as soon as possible. We can help you with completing this form, which must be returned to your employer as soon as possible to avoid losing your eligibility for benefits.

We can also make sure you get the medical treatment and benefits you are entitled to. Although recent legislation has placed restrictions on workers' compensation benefits, employers are still supposed to provide medical treatment for injured workers. Employers can set up Medical Provider Networks (MPNs), or a list of employer-approved doctors. If the employer correctly complies with all of the legal requirements and sets the MPN up properly, you must be treated by an MPN physician unless you have pre-designated a treating physician. If the MPN is invalid or if your employer does not have an MPN, you may choose your own physician. We will help you get the medical treatment you need and are entitled to.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)

If the workers' compensation insurance company denies your claim for benefits, you still have recourse. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) is the only court with jurisdiction over workers' compensation benefits. If your employer denies that your case is a workers' compensation case, you must file a case with the WCAB within a year of the injury or your claim will be barred. As a judge pro tem and arbitrator before the WCAB, Mr. Maietta has a wealth of experience in WCAB appeals and can capably represent you before the WCAB.

Third Party Liability Personal Injury Claims

Workplace injuries or illness are sometimes caused by the negligence of someone other than your employer. If you are injured by the negligence of a third party during the course of carrying out your job duties, you are entitled to bring a civil lawsuit against that third party to recover for your personal injuries. For example, if you are driving while on the job and another car hits you, you can bring a negligence action against the other driver and sue for damages. Similarly, if you are injured on the job because of a defectively designed or manufactured product, or if a product has inadequate warnings about the use of the product, you may have a claim against the product manufacturer.

Richard J. Maietta has extensive personal injury experience as well as workers' compensation experience. Mr. Maietta knows how to coordinate the complicated interaction between the workers' compensation system and the additional money you may be entitled to if you were awarded damages in a personal injury lawsuit.

Seek Assistance from an Experienced Workers' Compensation Attorney

For additional information on workers' compensation matters, or to learn how the Law Offices of Richard J. Maietta can assist you with your claim, contact us for a free consultation or call us at (626) 732-6314. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we successfully help you recover compensation. We also provide assistance for Spanish speaking clients- Se Habla Español.