Law Office of Howard J. Stevens APC
Law Office of Howard J. Stevens APC
Free Consults. Call 619-880-4501 or TEXT
Law Office of Howard J. Stevens APC
Free Consults. Call 619-880-4501 or TEXT
Over 40 Years Of Experience In Workers’ Compensation
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  2. Should I Pursue Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
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Appealing Your Rejected Workers’ Compensation Claim

At the Law Office of Howard J. Stevens, APC, I strive to secure compensation for you as soon as possible. However, employers and their insurance companies might choose to dispute the validity of your claim.

I am attorney Howard J. Stevens, and I know that this can complicate an already stressful situation, but I am ready to help you get a second chance. Through petitioning for reconsideration from a third party, I may be able to obtain the benefits you deserve after a workplace injury.

Who Will Decide The Success Of Your Appeal?

The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) was created as an administrative body to determine disputes arising out of contested issues stemming from industrial injury claims. In Southern California, there are multiple offices of the WCAB, including in San Diego, Santa Ana, Anaheim and Long Beach, just to name a few.

Each office contains a presiding judge, multiple administrative law judges, an information and assistance office, a permanent disability rater and a support staff to assist in the processing of cases that come before the board.

What To Expect When Facing A Worker’s Compensation Dispute

Your workers’ compensation claim begins when you send a claim form to your employer, who then must promptly notify its insurance carrier. The WCAB becomes able to resolve disputes with the filing of an application for adjudication of the claim with the WCAB. Once it’s filed, the WCAB has the power to resolve the conflict and award benefits for as long as necessary to get all issues resolved.

In essence, the WCAB is a court of limited jurisdiction, with a goal of making sure that injured workers are provided appropriate benefits. The WCAB schedules settlement conferences and, when necessary, trials. It retains the power to subpoena records, compel witnesses to come before it, order medical treatment and disability payments, and issue such other orders as may be necessary to reach a just disposition in a case. As your attorney, I can represent your interests throughout this process.

However, the WCAB does not get involved in a claim, even after an application is filed, unless a dispute is properly brought before it or if an injured employee wishes to informally resolve a claim by some form of settlement. Settlements must be approved by a WCAB judge, even when both parties are represented by counsel.

While you are not required to be represented by an attorney to go before the WCAB, the board does have specific procedural rules, and the process of prosecuting a claim is fraught with technical pitfalls that may well confound even attorneys who do not specialize in this area of the law. We strongly recommend that you consult an attorney who is specialized in this legal field to maximize your chances of reaching your desired outcome.

We Are Experienced With These Complex Cases

As a certified workers’ compensation specialist, our founding attorney can form a strategy for your workers’ compensation claim. If your employer initially rejects your claim, you still have reason for hope.

Call the Law Office of Howard J. Stevens, APC, at 619-880-4501 to schedule a free initial consultation. Alternatively, you may share your story with me through this website. My objective is to help you receive just results for your pain and suffering.