Anyone injured on the job in California, including non-citizens, is eligible for workers’ compensation insurance benefits.
Even undocumented workers and people who did not obtain legal authorization allowing them to work in the U.S. can receive workers’ comp.
What does workers’ compensation cover?
Workers’ comp benefits in California include coverage for:
- Cost of medical treatment performed by a doctor within a special network
- Wages lost as a result of missed work
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Job displacement benefits
Workers injured on the job can also get mileage reimbursement for transportation to and from medical appointments, including traveling to pick up medications. If the injured employee does not receive payment on time, California law mandates a 10% increase in the payment amount. The standard for timely payments is within 14 days of the starting date for payments.
Can you receive a denial of benefits?
Some common reasons injured employees receive a denial of benefits include:
- Failure to provide proof of medical treatment
- Failure to report the injury to the employee within 30 days of the incident
- Failure to file the claim within the one-year deadline, starting from the date of the accident
Your employer may also dispute your claim for a number of reasons. For example, they may claim you received the injury another way that does not qualify for workers’ comp coverage. However, you have the right to dispute a denial of benefits.
The key to avoiding issues with a workers’ compensation claim is to report the accident immediately, seek medical attention for injuries and file your claim.
