As a worker in San Francisco, you never expect a day on the job to end in a significant injury. Yet this is the exact experience of thousands of workers each year. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to protect your legal rights by hiring an attorney to represent you. Getting legal help is the best way to achieve the case results that you deserve.
The San Francisco work injury attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers have been representing clients in the Bay Area for over 50 years. Find out how we can help you during a free case evaluation at our local law office. Call (415) 855-4289 or complete our online contact form today.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers for Your Work Injury Case?
Selecting the right law firm can determine your case’s outcome. In San Francisco’s intricate legal environment, you need a team with deep expertise in San Francisco personal injury law. Our attorneys offer local insight, proven tactics, and a steadfast dedication to securing meaningful results for injured clients.
- We handle every aspect of your case from start to finish, including dealing with insurance companies, arranging necessary medical care, and fighting for the maximum value of your claim, including property damage.
- With us, you pay nothing upfront—our fees come only if we win your case. We keep you updated throughout the process, ensuring you’re always in the loop.
- At Jacoby & Meyers, you’re more than a case number. You’re an individual seeking justice, and we’re committed to delivering it for you.
Understanding Workplace Injuries in San Francisco
Many careers and work environments in San Francisco put workers at risk. Employee injuries and deaths can arise in virtually any workplace, but certain industries are more dangerous than others. The biggest industries in the Bay Area are professional and technical services, information, health care and social assistance, and accommodation and food services.
Common types of work injuries include:
- Slip, trip and fall injuries
- Falls from heights
- Repetitive motion or stress injuries
- Tech industry workplace injuries
- Construction site accidents
- Industrial and warehouse accidents
- Injuries from machinery or equipment
- Transportation and delivery accident injuries
- Healthcare worker injuries
- Struck-by object and impact injuries
- Injuries and illnesses from toxic exposure
- Electrocutions and burn injuries
- Injuries from workplace violence
According to Workers’ Compensation Information System statistics, 123,547 workers’ comp claims were filed in the Bay Area in 2023. Workplace accidents can have a significant impact on the injured worker as well as the worker’s family – especially if it means the family’s breadwinner must take days or weeks off of work. Work injuries can lead to significant physical, emotional and financial stress.
California Workers’ Compensation System
In California, almost all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This type of coverage will pay for a worker’s bills and losses without requiring the worker to prove negligence, or the failure to exercise reasonable care by another party.
A successful workers’ comp settlement could pay a claimant for the following:
- Past and future necessary medical expenses
- Ongoing therapies or rehabilitation
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Supplemental job displacement benefits
- Death benefits (in the event of a fatal work injury)
To receive workers’ compensation benefits in San Francisco, you must report your work injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. Your employer will then provide you with the claim form to complete and send to the insurance carrier.
In the meantime, you will need to seek medical attention from an approved provider. Your employer should offer you a list of approved doctors. You have a maximum of one year from the date of your injury to file a workers’ comp claim in California. Once received, the insurance company has 90 days to make a decision.
Beyond Workers’ Compensation: Third-Party Claims
You may have legal options beyond workers’ compensation after a work injury in San Francisco. If you believe that someone else negligently caused or contributed to your injury or illness, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim against that party. A third-party claim refers to a suit against anyone other than your employer.
Possibilities may include:
- Product or equipment manufacturers for defective products
- Property owners or landlords for dangerous premises conditions
- Contractors or subcontractors for acts of negligence
- Maintenance crews for faulty installations and repairs
- Motor vehicle drivers for car accidents while on the job
- The state or municipal government for accidents on public property
Filing both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party lawsuit for negligence can maximize your financial recovery, as you could qualify for benefits from both. If your employer caused your work injury, however, you will have to decide between a workers’ comp settlement and a personal injury claim against the company you work for.
Challenges in San Francisco Work Injury Cases
Getting justice for a work injury in San Francisco can be difficult. These cases involve numerous legal complications that may require an attorney to successfully navigate. If your employer denies your workers’ comp claim, for example, an attorney can help you with the appeals process.
Common issues you may encounter include:
- Insurance company tactics to reduce your payout
- Medical treatment disputes
- Independent medical review requirements
- Permanent disability rating issues
- Return-to-work complications
- Employer retaliation
- Immigrant worker complications
A specialized San Francisco work injury attorney will have knowledge of complex laws that can be used to successfully navigate your claim. The right attorney will also have experience with top Bay Area industries, knowledge of the San Francisco labor market, connections to medical and vocational experts, and a track record of success to build a strong claim on your behalf.
Compensation Available for Injured Workers
The laws in California provide a pathway for injured workers to recover financial compensation and become whole again after serious work-related accidents and injuries. The types and amounts of financial compensation to which you may be entitled will depend on your circumstances.
You may be able to receive the following:
- Medical expenses coverage
- Temporary disability payments
- Permanent disability compensation
- Future medical treatment
- Career retraining benefits
- Death benefits
- Additional damages in third-party claims
Our attorneys can accurately calculate the value of your claim to help you avoid settling for less than you deserve. We can bring your case to court in San Francisco County for maximum results, if necessary. As your lawyers, we will do everything in our power to achieve the case results you need.
Contact Us for a Free Work Injury Case Evaluation in San Francisco
An attorney from Jacoby & Meyers can help you with each stage of your claim following a work-related injury in San Francisco. From the initial case evaluation to guiding you through claim-filing procedures and developing your evidence, we will take care of everything while you focus on healing.
Our law firm is equipped to handle workers’ compensation claims, insurance settlement negotiations, personal injury lawsuits, third-party claims, court trials and the appeals process. Contact us today to learn what we can do for you. Call our local San Francisco office at (415) 855-4289 anytime to book an appointment.
For your convenience, we have 14 office locations throughout California. Our local Bay Area law office is located at 50 California St. Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94111.