INJURED WORKING FOR AN EMPLOYER WHO DOESN’T HAVE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE?
For the majority of work-related injuries, when an individual is injured on the job and they report their injuries to their employer, it is usually only a matter of days before they are contacted by or communicated with by that employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company.
However, occasionally, injured workers find out, for the first time following their injury, that the person or company that they work for does not have workers’ compensation insurance. In such cases, don’t assume you are out of luck and without any way of receiving monetary benefits and/or medical care for your injuries.
There is a “fund” within the workers’ compensation system in the State of California that will often pay benefits when an illegally uninsured employer fails or refuses to pay benefits, as awarded by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.
Please note that it is highly recommended that you seek the advice and assistance of an attorney who is a certified specialist in workers’ compensation law to help you navigate your way through what is, under such circumstances, a very complicated process.
In fact, our office settled a multi-million dollar case with the Uninsured Employers Fund (now known as the Uninsured Employers Benefit Trust Fund) which was turned down by multiple attorneys, as it involved both some fault of the injured worker as well as more significantly, an illegally uninsured employer.
Again–no insurance. Don’t give up or give in. Seek the advice and assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney to help you obtain the benefits that you are entitled to.