If you were hurt at work, you may be worried about losing your job or not getting paid while you recover. A Burbank workers’ compensation lawyer can help you figure out your next step and protect your rights from day one.
At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, we’ve helped people across Burbank, CA, handle their workers’ compensation claims with confidence. Call (818) 319-4837 to speak with an experienced Burbank personal injury lawyer who knows how to deal with insurance companies and won’t let them push you around.
Injured at work in Burbank? Request a free consultation.
Hurt on the Job in Burbank? How Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Help
If you’ve been injured at work, the process can feel confusing. There are deadlines, forms, and insurance rules that don’t always make sense. You shouldn’t have to figure it all out alone.
Our Burbank workers’ compensation lawyers help people through every step of the claim. We deal directly with the insurance company so you don’t have to. You’ll get updates, answers, and help making sure your paperwork is done right.
We also help injured workers get medical care and wage benefits sooner. Delays are common in California. Many first payments take over two weeks after a claim is approved.
With strong legal representation, your chances of getting full benefits go up. You focus on healing, and we’ll keep your case moving.
Do I Have a Workers’ Compensation Claim in California?
You may have a workers’ compensation claim if you were hurt while doing your job, even if the injury happened slowly over time. Full-time, part-time, and even temp workers are usually covered under California workers’ compensation laws.
The California workers’ compensation system doesn’t care who was at fault. If you slipped, strained your back, or got hurt in a work car accident, you could still get benefits. Even a work-related injury that made an old problem worse might qualify.
Some claims are denied for the wrong reasons. If your employer or insurance adjuster says you don’t qualify, it’s smart to double-check with a lawyer.
Tip: Even if your employer says you’re not eligible, talk to a lawyer first. Many valid claims are wrongly denied.
Common Work-Related Injuries and Occupational Diseases
Some injuries happen fast, while others build up over time. Whether it’s from a fall, long hours doing the same task, or breathing in harmful substances, these problems can keep you from working or living normally. If you’re dealing with pain or health changes after workplace accidents, it may be time to file a claim.
Here are some common injuries and illnesses we help with:
- Slip, trip, and fall injuries: These can happen anywhere, from wet floors to uneven surfaces.
- Back and neck injuries: Lifting, bending, or sudden movements can lead to pain that doesn’t go away.
- Shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries: These joints often get hurt in physical jobs or factory work.
- Repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel, tendonitis): Long hours of typing or lifting can wear down your body.
- Fractures and broken bones: Slips, machinery mishaps, or falls from ladders often cause these.
- Crush injuries from machinery or equipment: These can happen during machinery accidents or warehouse work.
- Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds: Tools, sharp edges, or broken glass are common causes.
- Burns (heat, chemical, or electrical): Workers in kitchens, factories, or labs face these burn injury risks daily.
- Hearing loss from loud noise at work: Jobs near heavy machines can slowly damage your hearing.
- Eye injuries and vision damage: Sparks, flying debris, or chemicals can lead to serious eye issues.
- Breathing problems and lung disease: These often come from dust, fumes, or poor air quality.
- Occupational illnesses from toxic or chemical exposure: Long-term chemical exposures can harm the lungs, skin, or organs.
- Stress, anxiety, and other work-related mental health conditions: Mental health counts, especially after long periods of stress.
- Aggravation of pre-existing conditions: If work made an old injury worse, you may still qualify.
- Work-related car and truck accident injuries: Delivery and driving jobs face a high risk of traumatic brain injuries or back damage.
If any of these sound familiar, you may be able to file a workers’ comp claim. You don’t need to figure it out alone. Talking to a lawyer can help you understand your rights.
Common Jobs and Workplaces in Burbank Where Injuries Happen
In a place like Burbank, people work hard across all kinds of industries, on set, behind the scenes, in kitchens, clinics, warehouses, and offices. And when the job is physical or fast-paced, injuries can happen, even when you’re careful.
Burbank’s biggest workplaces include major film and TV studios, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, and the busy shops and restaurants around Burbank Town Center and the Media District. Studio crews face lifting, rigging, and fall injuries. Airport ground crews handle heavy baggage around moving vehicles. Hospital staff often hurt their backs moving patients.
We’ve worked with people hurt on the job in roles like:
- Crew members on film and TV production sets
- Designers, editors, and office staff in media or tech companies
- Servers, cooks, and hotel workers in hospitality jobs
- Stockers, cashiers, and sales staff in busy retail stores
- Warehouse workers loading, lifting, or using heavy equipment
- Delivery drivers and couriers out on Burbank roads
- Nurses, caregivers, and hospital support staff
- Janitors, handymen, and maintenance workers
- Airport ground crew and airline support staff
If your job is on this list or even if it’s not and you got hurt at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. These claims aren’t just for big accidents. They cover pain that builds over time too, like back strain or repetitive motion injuries.
A local Burbank workers’ compensation lawyer can help you figure out where you stand and what steps to take. Getting help early can make a big difference in how smoothly your claim goes.
Looking for a Burbank Workers’ Compensation Lawyer near me? Call (626) 793-8607.
What To Do After a Workplace Accident in Burbank
If you’ve had an on-the-job accident, knowing what to do next is key. The steps you take in the first few days can affect your ability to get care or receive disability benefits. Here’s what you should do right away:
- Report the injury to your employer right away: Tell a manager or supervisor. This creates a record and is required under California law.
- Seek medical treatment: Your employer may send you to a specific doctor if they use a Medical Provider Network (MPN). Go as soon as possible.
- Follow all doctor’s instructions: Whether it’s resting, using a brace, or going to physical therapy, this helps your recovery and your case.
- Document everything: photos, reports, witness names: Keep track of how the injury happened and who saw it. It may help later if there’s a problem with your insurance claim.
- File your workers’ compensation claim form (DWC-1): This starts the process to get benefits like lost wages and coverage for medical bills.
- Contact a lawyer before delays or denials happen: A lawyer can help if your claim is denied or if you’re not getting the benefits you need. Learn more about hiring the right workers’ compensation lawyer.
Taking these steps can make a big difference in your recovery and your claim.
How a Workers’ Comp Claim Works in California: Timeline
California law sets clear deadlines for both you and your employer’s insurance company. Here’s what happens after a work injury:
- Day of injury: Tell your supervisor. You have 30 days to report it, but report it the same day if you can.
- Within 1 working day of learning about the injury: Your employer must give you a DWC-1 claim form.
- Within 1 working day after you return the form: Your employer must authorize up to $10,000 in medical treatment while the claim is investigated.
- Within 14 days: The claims administrator must tell you whether your claim is accepted, delayed, or denied.
- Within 90 days: If the insurer hasn’t denied your claim, it is presumed accepted.
- Up to 1 year from the injury: If there’s a dispute, this is generally the deadline to file an application for adjudication with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).
If your employer misses any of these steps, call us. Delays often mean benefits you’re owed are being held up.
Source: California Division of Workers’ Compensation, claims process flowchart.
What Benefits Can I Get on Workers’ Comp in California?
California law provides several types of benefits, but many injured workers find it hard to get every benefit they’re owed without help.
Medical Treatment and Related Costs
Your medical benefits should cover all care related to your injury. This includes doctor visits, surgeries, therapy, and even prescription drugs. You can also be reimbursed for travel to and from your appointments.
Temporary Disability (Wage Replacement) Benefits
If you can’t work while you heal, you may be able to get temporary disability benefits. This usually covers about two-thirds of your wages and is paid every two weeks. It can make a big difference when you’re missing regular paychecks.
Permanent Disability Benefits
If your injury leaves a lasting impact, you may qualify for financial support through permanent disability. The amount depends on your job, age, and how serious the injury is. Payments usually arrive every two weeks. Some cases settle for a lump sum through a compromise and release. Our case results show what’s possible with strong representation.
Supplemental Job Displacement and Return-to-Work Options
If you can’t go back to your old job, you may be given a $6,000 voucher to help you train for something new. This program helps injured workers find a way to return to the workforce safely and with support.
2026 California Workers’ Comp Benefit Rates
For injuries on or after January 1, 2026, California’s weekly benefit limits went up with the state average wage. Your rate is based on the date you were injured, not the date your claim settles.
Benefit (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
Maximum temporary disability | $1,764.11 per week |
Minimum temporary disability | $264.61 per week |
Maximum permanent partial disability (injuries since 2014) | $290 per week |
Supplemental Job Displacement voucher | $6,000 |
Medical mileage (July–Dec 2026) | 76 cents per mile |
Source: California Division of Workers’ Compensation, 2026 temporary disability rates.
Deadlines for Workers’ Compensation Claims in California
If you’re hurt at work, there are strict time limits for filing your claim. Missing them can reduce your benefits or even block your case completely.
You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days. Then, under California workers’ comp law, you must file your formal claim within one year from the date of the injury. This applies to most workers’ compensation cases.
It’s important not to wait, especially if you’re unsure how serious the injury is. Even small delays can give insurance companies a reason to deny your benefits.
Why Workers’ Compensation Claims Get Denied
Many claims get denied because insurance companies argue the injury did not happen at work. This can happen even when the worker followed every rule. When the employer disagrees with how the injury happened, the claim may stall.
Some cases are denied because the worker missed deadlines or turned in forms that were not complete. The workers’ comp insurance system has many steps, and small mistakes can affect your benefits. Even a delay in treatment can be used as a reason to question your claim.
Sometimes there isn’t enough medical proof to show how the injury is connected to the job. The medical-legal process can be confusing, especially if you are seeing different doctors. Talking with a lawyer can help you understand what evidence you still need.
Helpful Tip: If your claim was denied, we may still be able to win benefits through appeal or trial.
Medical Disputes: Treating Doctors, QMEs, and Utilization Review
If your employer uses a Medical Provider Network (MPN), your first doctor usually comes from that network. After that, you may be able to switch to another doctor in the network.
If the insurance company disputes your doctor’s findings, your case may go to a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). If you have a lawyer, both sides may agree on an Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) instead. These reports often decide how much permanent disability you receive.
The insurer can also deny a treatment your doctor requests through utilization review. You can challenge that denial through Independent Medical Review (IMR). These steps have short deadlines, so it helps to have a lawyer watching them for you.
Can My Employer Fire Me for Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?
No. California Labor Code Section 132a makes it illegal for an employer to fire, threaten, demote, or discriminate against you for filing a workers’ comp claim. If this happens, you may be entitled to increased benefits, back pay, and reinstatement.
Keep copies of any write-ups, schedule changes, or messages that changed after your injury. They can help prove what happened.
When a Third-Party Claim May Increase Your Recovery
Workers’ compensation has limits, and you cannot sue your employer for the injury. But if another party caused the accident, you may also have a separate claim. Many personal injury cases come from these situations.
A third-party case may involve negligence, such as a careless driver or a contractor who created a hazard. Some injuries come from motor vehicle accidents during work tasks. Others may involve premises liability if the injury happened on unsafe property.
A third-party claim can provide compensation that workers’ comp does not cover. This may include pain, movement limits, or long-term effects that change your day-to-day life. You may qualify for both claims at the same time.
If a defective tool, machine, or safety equipment caused your injury, our Burbank product liability lawyers can review that claim too.
Questions about a denied or delayed workers’ comp claim? Contact our team today.
How Much Does a Workers’ Comp Lawyer Cost in California?
You pay nothing up front. In California, a workers’ comp attorney’s fee must be approved by a workers’ compensation judge. It is usually 9% to 15% of the benefits awarded and is taken from your award, not from your pocket.
If we don’t recover benefits for you, you don’t owe us a fee. Contact us for a free case review.
Source: California Division of Workers’ Compensation, Fact Sheet G.
Where Burbank Workers’ Comp Cases Are Heard
Disputed workers’ comp cases are decided by a workers’ compensation judge, not a jury. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) district office nearest Burbank is in Van Nuys, at 6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401. Which office hears your case depends on where you live or where you were injured.
Our Burbank office at 4444 W Riverside Dr #308 is about 7 miles from the Van Nuys WCAB, roughly a 15–25 minute drive. We know its judges’ procedures and handle hearings there for our clients.
Burbank Workers’ Compensation FAQs
How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim in California?
Report the injury to your employer within 30 days. If your claim is disputed, you generally have one year from the injury date to file with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Waiting can still hurt your case, so report and file as soon as you can.
How much does a Burbank workers’ comp lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. A workers’ comp judge must approve the fee, which is usually 9% to 15% of the benefits awarded. The fee comes out of your award, so you never pay out of pocket.
How much will I get paid while I’m off work?
Temporary disability usually pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage. For 2026 injuries, payments range from $264.61 to $1,764.11 per week. Checks typically come every two weeks.
Can I choose my own doctor for a work injury?
It depends. If your employer has a Medical Provider Network, your first visit is usually within that network, but you can often switch to another network doctor later. If you named a personal physician in writing before the injury, you may be able to see that doctor.
Can I be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim?
No. California Labor Code Section 132a bars employers from firing or punishing workers for filing a claim. If it happens, you may be owed added benefits, back pay, and your job back.
What if my workers’ comp claim is denied?
A denial is not the end. You can file an Application for Adjudication with the WCAB and ask a workers’ comp judge to decide. A lawyer can gather medical evidence and represent you at hearings at the Van Nuys WCAB.
Do workers’ comp benefits cover injuries on a film or TV set?
Yes, most studio and production workers are covered, including many crew members hired through payroll companies. Questions about which company is the employer are common in entertainment cases, so get advice early.
Can I get workers’ comp and sue someone else?
You usually can’t sue your employer, but you may sue a third party who caused the injury, such as a negligent driver or equipment maker. A third-party case can pay for pain and suffering, which workers’ comp does not.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With a Burbank Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you were hurt on the job in Burbank, CA, you shouldn’t have to face the process alone. A free consultation can help you understand your rights and what benefits you may receive. You can ask questions and get clear answers about your options.
Our experienced lawyers at the Law Offices Of Adrianos Facchetti are here to help with your work injury claim. We use a contingency fee system, so you don’t pay unless we recover money for you. This approach keeps the focus on your health and your future.
Call (626) 793-8607 to speak with a work accident attorney Burbank residents trust. With our no-win, no-fee promise, you can get support without risk or pressure.
Visit Our Burbank Office for Workers’ Compensation Legal Help
Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti
Address: 4444 W Riverside Dr #308, Burbank, CA 91505
Phone: 626) 793-8607
Office Hours: Phones answered 24/7. Office visits by appointment, Monday–Friday.
GeoCoordinates: 34.15197830, -118.34879340
Our Burbank office is located near major roads and public transit, making it easy for injured workers and families to reach us. Whether your claim involves missed paychecks, denied treatment, or job-related injuries, we serve clients across Burbank and throughout Los Angeles County.
Discuss your work injury with a Burbank workers’ compensation attorney. Call (626) 793-8607 today.
