Workers’ Comp & Personal Injury Lawyer in Lafayette, CA

Brand Peters PC is a Walnut Creek law firm that represents injured workers and accident victims in Lafayette, California and across Contra Costa County. Our attorneys handle workers’ compensation claims, appeals of denied claims, and personal injury cases, including cases where both overlap.

Consultations are free; call (925) 489-0746.

Fighting for Injured Accident Victims for Over 60 Years Combined

After an accident of any kind, one of the most important decisions a victim can make is hiring a competent attorney. Without adequate compensation, he or she could face financial stress while trying to cover the medical bills and damage repairs out of their own accounts.

What should a Lafayette worker do after a work injury in California?

Act within these deadlines to protect your claim:

1. Report the injury to your employer within 30 days. Written notice is safest.
2. Get the DWC-1 claim form. Your employer must give it to you within one working day of learning of the injury.
3. File the claim form within one year of the injury.
4. Use your treatment rights. After you file, the employer must authorize up to $10,000 in treatment within one working day while the claim is investigated.
5. Watch the 90-day mark. If the claim isn’t accepted or denied within 90 days, the injury is presumed work-related.

Call a workers’ comp attorney if your claim is denied or delayed, your employer threatens your job after you reported an injury, you’ve been told you have a permanent disability, or a third party (a driver, property owner or contractor) may share the blame.

The deadline steps are consistent with DIR guidance: the employer must authorize up to $10,000 in treatment within one working day of receiving your claim form, and an injury is presumed work-related if the claim isn’t accepted or denied within 90 days.

If you have suffered such an injury, consult with attorney Jonathan Brand and our team of attorneys today. They have 60 years of combined experience in workers’ compensation and personal injury law and could skillfully and aggressively fight for you in any of the following practice areas:

Workers’ Comp Practice Areas

When it comes to filing workers’ compensation claims, your attorney must have a detailed knowledge of the workers’ comp process. Attorney Jonathan Brand could help you determine your workers’ comp eligibility. There is always protection for injured workers, especially if your employer is threatening you with wrongful termination, so call today for excellent legal advice. Any workplace injuries caused by poor workplace safety deserve to be compensated by your employer’s insurance. The Law Offices of Jonathan Brand could also help you in filing an appeal if you have been denied workers’ comp.

As an injured worker, you also have certain medical entitlements, so speak with a lawyer today to learn your rights. It’s also important to remember that returning to work does not mean that your compensation payments have to end. If you have been determined to be temporarily disabled, permanently disabled, or permanently impaired, make sure that you receive adequate compensation.

Also, make sure you understand AMA guidelines so that you can choose a qualified medical evaluator who will properly evaluate your injury. The panel QME process can be confusing, however, so hire a workers’ comp lawyer with experience. Attorney Jonathan Brand has already proven his competency in such situations through his success with the Romero Case.

Personal Injury Practice Areas

The Law Offices of Jonathan Brand could also represent you in a personal injury case. If you have been in a slip and fall accident, car crash, or construction site accident, attorney Jonathan Brand could help you win maximum compensation. He also has a detailed understanding of the lien process and knows how important it is for you to identify a liable third party so that hospitals, doctors, and health care providers do not come after you and demand that you pay for your medical treatment.

He also understands that alternative medicine such as chiropractors or massage therapy is often a better choice than the doctors that insurance companies offer and he could help you assert your right to choose treatment that is reasonable for your injury. You should also seek compensation for property damage after an injury accident, so call Brand Peters PC today to learn what he could do for you.

Hire a Lafayette Workers’ Comp & Personal Injury Attorney

For a no-nonsense, straightforward evaluation of your case, call today and schedule a consultation with attorney Jonathan Brand. You deserve maximum compensation for the injuries and property damage you have suffered, so hire a lawyer who could aggressively fight for your rights and win the payout you deserve. He is also experienced in crossover cases and could strategically handle both your workers’ comp and personal injury cases so that the settlement from one does not affect the other. Call now for more information.

Lafayette Workers’ Comp & Personal Injury FAQs

1. Do I need a lawyer for a workers’ comp claim in Lafayette, CA?

You aren’t required to hire one, but a lawyer helps most when a claim is denied, delayed, or involves permanent disability or a disputed medical evaluation. California workers’ comp is a no-fault system, so injured Lafayette workers can file without proving employer negligence. Brand Peters offers free consultations to review your claim before you decide.

2. How long do I have to report a work injury in California?

Report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the injury, or of learning it was work-related; in writing is safest. You then generally have one year to file the DWC-1 claim form. Missing the 30-day notice can jeopardize benefits, so report immediately and keep a dated copy.

3. What benefits can an injured worker get?

California workers’ comp can cover medical treatment, temporary disability payments while you can’t work, permanent disability benefits if the injury leaves lasting impairment, and a supplemental job displacement voucher in some cases. Death benefits are available to dependents. Eligibility and amounts depend on your injury and wages.

4. What happens if my workers’ comp claim is denied?

A denial isn’t final. You can request a hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, where a judge decides whether your injury is work-related. Gather medical records and proof of your DWC-1 filing first. A workers’ comp attorney can file the application and represent you at the hearing.

5. What is a Panel QME and why does it matter?

A Panel Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) is a state-certified doctor chosen from a three-name panel when you and the insurer dispute your injury or disability rating. The QME’s report often drives your permanent disability rating and settlement value, so understanding the selection process and AMA Guides standards matters.

6. Can I file both a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury lawsuit?

Yes, if a third party other than your employer caused your injury, such as a negligent driver or a contractor on a construction site. Workers’ comp pays regardless of fault, while a third-party claim can recover additional damages. The two must be coordinated because the comp insurer may claim reimbursement from your settlement.

7. How much does a workers’ comp lawyer cost in California?

In California workers’ comp, attorney fees come out of your award or settlement and require a workers’ compensation judge’s approval, so you pay nothing upfront. Brand Peters offers a free consultation, and [typical fee range, confirm with firm] is explained in writing before you sign.

8. Where is Brand Peters, and who do you serve?

Brand Peters PC is based at 1777 Botelho Dr, Suite 220, Walnut Creek, and represents injured workers and accident victims throughout the East Bay and Contra Costa County, including Lafayette. Hours are Monday–Friday, 9–5. Call (925) 489-0746 to schedule a free consultation.

Lafayette Resource Links

• City of Lafayette Personal Injury Information About Lafayette

Contact a Lafayette workers’ comp and personal injury lawyer from Brand Peters PC today. The longer you wait, the worse your chances of success become, so don’t wait another minute!