Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Bar-Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law Since 1969

At Smolich and Smolich, you will find Bar Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation law. The Certified Specialist designation is awarded by the State Bar of California to a small percentage of attorneys who have demonstrated in-depth knowledge, superior skills, and significant experience in workers’ compensation law. Our attorneys hold that credential, which means when you come to us after a workplace injury, you’re working with lawyers the State Bar has formally recognized for their command of this area of law. That level of recognition can be a meaningful asset in your case.

We attribute our work over the decades to the hands-on attention we bring to every case. We spend time educating you about the process, keeping you updated on your case’s progress, and building a legal strategy around your specific circumstances. Our Sacramento workers’ compensation lawyers work directly with your medical providers to obtain the documentation needed to support your claim. Our attorneys are first- and second-generation trial lawyers, and our family’s involvement in Sacramento’s union movement spans more than a century. That history shapes how we approach every workers’ comp case: with a genuine understanding of what working people face when they go through the claims process.

Common Reported Workplace Injuries in Sacramento

Workplace injuries happen in every setting, from construction sites to office buildings. The following are the 10 most commonly reported injury types in Sacramento workplaces, ranked from least to most frequent.

10. On-the-Job Violence

No workplace is completely immune to violence. Fistfights, assaults, and other physical altercations can cause serious injuries, and they can arise from interpersonal conflict, workplace stress, or volatile situations that escalate without warning. Training employees to recognize warning signs and creating a culture where concerns can be reported openly are among the most effective prevention measures.

9. Repetitive Motion Injuries

These injuries aren’t always obvious because they develop over time, but even routine tasks performed repeatedly for hours can cause serious wear on muscles and joints. Typing, for example, can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Other common results include back pain and vision problems. Proper posture and ergonomic equipment go a long way toward prevention.

8. Machine Entanglement

Workers who operate heavy machinery face elevated injury risk from entanglement involving clothing, hair, fingers, or other extremities caught in moving parts. Protective equipment such as gloves, helmets, and hair nets reduces the risk, but thorough training on machinery hazards is the most important safeguard.

7. Vehicle Accidents

Workers required to drive as part of their job face the same road risks as anyone else, and those risks increase when cell phone use is expected while driving. Many employers have responded with strict no-phone policies, but vehicle accident injuries remain a consistent source of workers’ compensation claims.

6. Walking Into Things

Collisions with cabinets, doors, windows, tables, and other objects may sound minor, but they can result in broken bones, significant bruising, and concussions. The risk is higher when workers are carrying heavy or awkwardly balanced loads and can’t see clearly ahead of them.

5. Falling Object Injuries

Anything stored off the ground can fall, and when it lands on an employee, the result may be a workers’ compensation claim. Heavy or elevated items should be secured properly, shelves should never be overloaded, and workers in affected areas should wear appropriate protective equipment.

4. Reaction Injuries

Sometimes the instinct to avoid a fall or collision causes its own injury. Pulled muscles, torn ligaments, joint trauma, and other soft-tissue damage can all result from a sudden physical reaction. You might walk away from the slip itself, only to feel the real injury set in hours later.

3. Falling From Heights

Falls from roofs, ladders, stairways, scaffolding, and elevated platforms consistently cause serious injuries. The higher the fall, the greater the severity, but even short drops can be dangerous. Using proper fall protection and paying attention on elevated surfaces is the straightforward prevention measure that too often gets skipped.

2. Falling Injuries

Slip and fall and trip and fall injuries are among the leading causes of workplace injury nationwide. A small, uncleaned spill or an extension cord across a walkway can bring someone down hard. Common results include broken bones, lacerations, and concussions.

1. Overexertion Injuries

Overexertion is the most frequently reported cause of workplace injury. Pulling, pushing, lifting, carrying, and throwing can all stress the body past its limits, and injuries can occur almost anywhere: knees, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hands, and back. Muscle tears, strains, and joint dislocations are common results, and they tend to happen quickly and painfully.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Sacramento

If you’ve been injured at work, take these steps:

• Notify your employer of the injury, or at the first sign of a work-related illness. California law gives you 30 days to report the injury and preserve your right to seek workers’ compensation benefits.
• Seek medical treatment promptly. For non-emergency injuries, your employer directs you to an approved provider.
• Tell your treating physician that your injury is work-related.
• Get a workers’ compensation claim form from your employer, complete it, and return it as soon as possible.
• Follow your treating doctor’s instructions closely and observe any work restrictions.
• Speak with a trusted attorney about your legal options, including potential settlements.

No Upfront Cost to Hire a Sacramento Workers’ Comp Attorney

Cost is one of the most common reasons injured workers put off calling an attorney, and in workers’ compensation cases, that concern isn’t warranted. Workers’ compensation attorneys in California work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost to you. Attorney fees are a percentage of the recovery and are subject to approval by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. If there’s no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. Smolich and Smolich offers a free initial consultation so you can understand your options before making any decisions. Don’t let uncertainty about cost keep you from seeking the representation you need.

Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Frequently Asked Questions

How a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Sacramento Can Help

Handling a workers’ compensation claim on your own can put you at a disadvantage. Insurance carriers have experienced adjusters working to limit what you receive. Having our attorneys in your corner means you have someone focused on pursuing the compensation available under the law.

Our workers’ compensation lawyers can help by:

A workplace injury can upend your life quickly. You have the right to pursue benefits that may be available to you. Review our 10 tips to protect yourself after a work injury, then contact our workers’ comp attorneys to talk through your situation.

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