Pasadena Workers' Compensation Lawyers
We've got your back
No attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation; clients may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses.
Find out if you have a case.
We are available 24/7 and will conduct a free consultation.
Do You Have a Workers' Compensation Case?
If you were hurt, or believe you were hurt, while on the job, you may have a workers' compensation case. Our Pasadena workers' compensation attorneys will explain the process, help you obtain treatment, and pursue the benefits available to you under California law.
- 15+
- Years combined experience
- Free Consultations
- always
- $0
- Upfront cost to you
- 24/7
- Reachable when it matters
Who Are Respaldo Law?
We are a law firm focused on getting injured workers the medical care and benefits they are entitled to. Our attorneys bring over 15 years of combined experience, including experience representing employers and insurance companies, before turning to represent workers. That means we know all the tactics employers and insurance adjusters use to evaluate files, why claims get denied, and how to build a case that holds up before judges.
Why Choose Respaldo Law?
- We know the insurance playbook from years on the defense side.
- Bilingual — se habla español.
- Free, honest consultation and no upfront fees.
- Local and responsive — a Pasadena firm that returns your call.
How Does Workers' Compensation Work?
What every injured worker in California should know before talking to an insurer.
California workers' comp is no fault.
It is never required to prove your employer did something wrong. If you were injured at work, you may have a Workers' Compensation claim. However, strict deadlines apply, and are managed by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
Benefits go far beyond a settlement.
California workers' comp can cover medical treatment, temporary disability (wage replacement), permanent disability, a Supplemental Job Displacement retraining voucher, and death benefits for families.
Denied And Delayed Claims Are Common, Reversible, and Our Bread & Butter
Unfortunately, insurers dispute claims regularly. However, we will help you get treatment and pursue recovery in your case. We also routinely challenge denials before a Workers' Compensation judge.
You don't pay out of pocket.
Our attorneys' fees must be approved by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board and are paid as a percentage of what we recover for you.
Outcomes depend on the facts of each case. This is general information, not legal advice.
How Do You File a Workers' Comp Claim in California?
Report the injury to your employer
Report the injury to your employer, generally within 30 days, in writing if you can.
Get medical care
Once you submit the claim form, the insurer generally must authorize up to $10,000 in treatment while it investigates.
Complete the DWC-1 claim form
Your employer must give you a DWC-1 form within one working day of learning about your injury. Keep a dated copy.
File an Application for Adjudication if your claim is disputed
If the claim is disputed, file an Application for Adjudication with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, generally within one year from the latest of your injury date, last disability payment, or last medical treatment. Exceptions can extend this.
Don't sign anything you don't understand
Don't sign anything you don't understand.
This is general information about California procedure, not legal advice for your specific situation. Deadlines have exceptions. When in doubt, call Respaldo Law.
What Does Workers' Compensation Cover?
Workers' compensation provides five core categories of benefits. Knowing what you're entitled to is the first step to making sure you actually receive it.
Medical Care
All reasonable and necessary treatment at no cost to you.
Workers' comp covers all reasonable and necessary treatment for your work injury: doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and medical equipment, at no cost to you. In California, treatment is usually delivered through your employer's Medical Provider Network (MPN), which has specific rules about which doctors you can see and how to switch.
Temporary Disability (TD)
Wage replacement while you can't work.
Temporary disability applies when your injury limits your ability to work at full capacity. If your claim is accepted and your employer cannot accommodate your work restrictions, you are entitled to wage replacement. If your claim is initially denied, our attorneys work to establish the injury and fight for your TD benefits, so you are not left without income while your case is being resolved.
Permanent Disability (PD)
A disability rating and payment if your injury leaves lasting impairment.
If your injury leaves lasting impairment after you reach maximum medical improvement, you may receive PD benefits, rated as a percentage under California's permanent disability schedule. The rating is used to determine the value of this part of your claim.
Supplemental Job Displacement
A retraining voucher if you can't return to your prior job.
If your employer can't offer modified or alternative work consistent with your restrictions, you may receive a Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB) voucher for retraining or skill enhancement.
Death Benefits
Financial support for dependents after a fatal workplace injury.
If a work injury is fatal, qualifying dependents may receive death benefits set by the Labor Code, along with help with burial expenses.
[See here to learn more about your benefits under California Workers' Compensation laws →]
Why Do Injured Workers Choose Us?
Free, no-obligation consultation
We review your case at no cost. You'll talk to a real lawyer, not a case manager, and leave knowing your options.
No upfront fees. Ever.
Workers' comp attorneys are paid a percentage of your recovery, approved by the WCAB. You owe us nothing unless we win. No attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation; clients may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses.
Bilingual, se habla español
We serve the entire San Gabriel Valley community. Spanish-language consultations available at no extra cost.
Available 24/7
Injuries don't keep business hours. Reach us any time to start your case review.
15+ years combined experience
Our attorneys previously worked on the insurance-defense side, so we know exactly how adjusters evaluate and deny claims, and how to counter them.
What Injuries Are Covered by Workers' Comp?
We handle all types of work injuries across every industry in the San Gabriel Valley.
Slip & Falls and Premises Liability
Injuries from wet floors, uneven surfaces, and unsafe conditions at work sites or employer-controlled property.
Lifting and Overexertion
Back, shoulder, and joint injuries caused by heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or sustained physical strain.
Repetitive-Motion
Tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and similar injuries from repeated movements performed over weeks or months.
Cumulative Trauma
Conditions that develop gradually from the cumulative effect of work duties, evaluated differently than acute injuries.
Stress & Psychological Injuries
Work-related mental health injuries, including post-traumatic stress and stress-induced physical conditions.
Catastrophic and Fatal Workplace Injuries
Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and death benefits for surviving family members.
Work Related Motor Vehicle Accidents
Injuries sustained while driving for work -- deliveries, field visits, commutes in employer vehicles.
Workplace Violence
Injuries from assaults, robberies, or threats that occur in the course of employment.
Toxic and Occupational Exposure
Respiratory illness, skin conditions, and organ damage from chemical, dust, or environmental exposure on the job.
Internal Medicine Conditions
Work-related hypertension, diabetes, GI disorders, and other systemic conditions that develop or worsen due to job stress, sedentary work, medications, or occupational exposures.
Who Can Qualify for Workers' Compensation?
Every injured worker deserves representation, regardless of employer size or industry.
Healthcare Workers
Nurses, CNAs, home health aides, and hospital staff face lifting injuries, needle sticks, exposure, and workplace violence.
Warehouse Workers
Forklift accidents, heavy lifting, repetitive motion, and fast-paced environments create serious injury risk.
Delivery/Transportation/Trucking Workers
Truck drivers, couriers, and rideshare drivers injured on the road or during loading and unloading.
Restaurant/Hotel/Hospitality Workers
Slip and fall, burn injuries, overexertion, and violence risks for food-service and hotel workers.
Retail & Grocery Workers
Stockroom lifting, repetitive cashier strain, and customer-related incidents are common in retail environments.
Office, Administrative Workers
Ergonomic injuries, repetitive stress, and psychological claims are valid and compensable in California.
Janitorial, Cleaning, Maintenance Workers
Chemical exposure, ladder falls, and sustained physical labor lead to some of the most serious work injuries.
Agricultural and Farming
Heat illness, pesticide exposure, machinery accidents, and overexertion in California's agricultural sector.
Entertainment and Production
On-set injuries, stunt injuries, cumulative physical strain, and stress claims in the entertainment industry.
California Workers' Comp Guides
How to File a Workers' Comp Claim in California
The DWC-1 form, who handles each step, and the general timing for every stage of a California claim.
Read guideWhat to Do After a Work Injury
A practical checklist for the first hours, days, and weeks after a work injury: care, reporting, evidence, and mistakes to avoid.
Read guideCalifornia Workers' Comp Benefits
What each benefit covers, including medical care, temporary and permanent disability, job displacement vouchers, and death benefits.
Read guideWorkers' Comp Settlements
C&R vs. Stips, how settlement value is determined, judge approval, and what to check before you sign.
Read guideDenied Workers' Comp Claim
Why claims get denied, the difference between a delay and a denial, and the step-by-step process for challenging one before the WCAB.
Read guideHave Questions About Your Workers' Comp Claim?
Our Office
Based in Pasadena
300 S Raymond Ave #21, Pasadena, CA 91105. Free parking. Consultations available in English and Spanish.
Get directions & contact usHurt at work? Talk to a real lawyer today.
We've got your back. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Available 24/7. Se habla español.
No attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation; clients may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses.
Find out if you have a case.
We are available 24/7 and will conduct a free consultation.