Workers' Compensation Attorneys in Santa Clarita, CA
Serving Employees & Employers in Valencia, Canyon Country & the Surrounding Areas
With decades of combined professional experience devoted to California workers’ compensation law, our team at The Bridgeford Law Office, APC. excels in bringing outstanding legal advice, advocacy, and representation to your case.
We serve both employees and employers in all matters related to workplace safety, injury claims, disputes, and lawsuits. With two Workers’ Compensation Specialists certified by the California Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization on board, our firm has the legal experience you need.
Whether you are an injured employee or an employer who has been faulted in some aspect of an injury or claim, we can provide the insight you need to help you determine your best course of action.
Contact us at (661) 387-3712 for an initial case assessment with a Santa Clarita attorney for workers’ compensation.
Overview of Workers’ Compensation Claims in California
California's workers’ compensation system is called a “no-fault” system. This generally means that a work injury results from an accident through no fault of the employer or the employee.
When an injury occurs and a claim is filed, it is not a civil or personal injury lawsuit. This means that the employer is not being sued; the injury is reported to the employer’s insurance carrier, resulting in a claim.
When employees are injured while at work, specific responsibilities must be fulfilled by both employees and employers for workers’ compensation claims to go smoothly.
Employer Responsibilities
As an employer, you are responsible to the best of your ability for providing a safe environment at work to prevent injuries. If an employee is injured, you must complete a workers’ compensation claim form and forward it to your workers’ compensation carrier. If the injured employee needs medical attention, allow them to see the company doctor or leave work to see their own physician. Ensure that you do not violate any laws or the rights of the injured employee.
Your next step is cooperating with your workers’ compensation carrier and their attorneys during the injury investigation. Provide any necessary documents, such as your payroll history or a copy of the injured employee’s personnel file. If they want to interview the injured employee’s supervisor or co-workers, allow them to speak without obstruction. Your attorney can help you take care of these requests if needed.
Allowing Injured Workers to Come Back to Work
You are also responsible for welcoming an injured employee back to work once they are physically ready. You may not penalize or terminate an employee simply for filing a workers’ compensation claim. You can face serious civil or criminal charges by doing so.
Avoiding Fraud
Finally, you must assist your state workers’ comp board to ensure you are not committing fraud. While it is true employees can fraudulently file for workers’ compensation, employers can also fail to process the appropriate workers’ compensation forms. When employers fail to provide insurance carriers with the correct claims forms, it could lead to an increase in premiums.
Contested Claims
In matters that become contested (or litigated), a workers’ compensation claim is typically brought before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board through an attorney on behalf of the injured worker. This Board then assumes jurisdiction, allowing the parties to address disputed issues before that body.
Employee Responsibilities
As an employee, you must act responsibly while at work. If you’re injured while intoxicated or after knowingly violating a policy or code meant to protect you, you may not be entitled to workers’ compensation.
Report Your Injuries
After an injury, you must report it to your immediate supervisor or employer. You may forfeit workers' comp benefits if you do not report your injury within 30 days. Once you tell your employer, they will fill out a workers’ compensation claim form and send it to their insurance carrier. Review the form and request a copy for your own records.
Cooperate with the Insurance Company
Cooperate with any requests made by the insurance company. For example, you may need to see an in-network physician; failing to do so may raise suspicions or result in a penalty. Also, be smart about how you act at work and home after injury. Insurance companies are known for hiring private investigators to follow injured employees around.
While this doesn’t happen often, your employer may resort to these tactics if you give them any reason to suspect your workers’ comp claim is false. If you have made up an injury, you may face severe problems if caught.
Most importantly, you’ll want to focus on recovery and returning to work. An attorney can help ensure you receive the compensation you need for medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, disability, and more.
How We Can Help
Whether you are approaching this claims process for the first time or have already encountered red tape, our firm is ready to intervene and fight for your best interests.
The Bridgeford Law Office can assist:
- Claimants who are submitting their very first workers' compensation claim
- Employers who are seeking to protect their business and their employers after a work injury
- Claimants who have had their workers' comp claim denied
- Employers facing fraudulent claims
- Claimants who have received "lowball" benefits that do not cover their needs
If you believe you fall into one of the above categories, our workers’ compensation attorneys in Santa Clarita are ready to assist you. Our firm works closely with injured workers and business owners throughout the legal process. We work tenaciously to ensure worker claims prove candidacy for workers’ comp benefits and that employer and employee best interests are protected.
Contact our offices today to request your consultation. We can be reached at (661) 387-3712.
Don't face legal challenges alone. With decades of experience, practical wisdom, and advice, we're here to assist you every step of the way. Contact us at (661) 387-3712 to discuss your case with our team
Testimonials From Former Clients
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"Zach was my attorney and he was fantastic through the whole experience."
I found Bridgeford Law and instantly felt like I made the right decision. Zach was my attorney and he was fantastic through the whole experience. Even the front office staff were great through my many times talking with them.
The workers comp process in California is convoluted and the insurance companies do everything they can to stall and try to wear you down. The whole process Zach did great at keeping an open line of communication with me. He helped reassure me and I will forever appreciate that. I reached a favorable settlement and I was not disappointed with the results that Bridgeford law got me. I can honestly say I will always recommend them to my friends and family.
- Nathan W. -
"I am eternally in your debt. Again, thank you."You have lightened my stress level considerably due to your diligence as well as your legal expertise; and the fact that you genuinely care about me as a person, not just a client. I am quite certain that ALL of your clients receive the same level of quality... and for that, I am eternally in your debt. So glad everything seems to be fast tracked and as bad as things are, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel, which for the 1st time, looks like it ISN'T the headlights of an oncoming train. At least this holiday season is far better than last year at this time, and that's directly due to you and your staff's hard work on my behalf. Again, thank you.- Former Client
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"He fought for me and we were awarded a more than fair settlement."I was referred to Mark by a friend and after our consultation, I knew he had my best interest in mind. He fought for me and we were awarded a more than fair settlement. I would recommend Mark and his staff to anyone in need. A very good group of people.- Mason U.
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"The Bridgeford Law Office has gone above and beyond!"The Bridgeford Law Office has gone above and beyond! Mark and his team has worked hard on getting treatment for my injury. If a procedure was denied by the insurance company, Mark and Emily are ready to work on getting medical care approved. I highly recommend this office for anyone who has a work related injury. Thank you Bridgeford Law Office for taking care of my claim.- Jose V.
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"Thanks to your efforts."At least this new year will be starting on a far better note than last year at this time. Thanks to your efforts this year at least my bills are paid, my medications are here, I'm not facing eviction and there's even plenty of food in case I get an appetite despite the pain. Thanks and have a great holiday!- Former Client
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"I will be eternally grateful to Mark and the entire staff of Bridgeford Law."I had the good fortune to choose Mr. Bridgeford to handle my work comp case...Not only is he an EXTREMELY skilled lawyer who prevented the insurance company from doing various nasty things to me, but his caring, legal expertise & wonderful staff prevented all of it from happening and the outcome of the case was better than I ever could have hoped for...He is without a doubt the finest work comp attorney in So. CA and if you need a great one, then he's DEFINITELY the right man with the right staff for the job...Despite this being a very complex case with 4.5 years of litigation, they were always very attentive to my needs and most definitely saw that justice was done...I have heard many stories of work comp clients getting screwed over and Mark made sure that that did not happen in my case...You will not regret choosing him...I will be eternally grateful to Mark and the entire staff of Bridgeford Law.- David F.
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"I would recommend them to anyone."I had a great experience with everyone at Bridgeford Law. So professional and extremely helpful! I would recommend them to anyone.- Samantha H.
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"Would highly recommend."Very pleased with this Law Office for Workmans Comp representation. Work hard and not a dime out of pocket. Would highly recommend.- Joel C.
