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Workplace Head Injury Claim Help in Pasadena

If you’ve suffered a head injury while on the job in Pasadena, you’re likely facing uncertainty, medical challenges, and concerns about your future. At Tim Wright Law, we understand how life-changing a workplace head injury can be—and we’re here to help you navigate the legal process with clarity and confidence.

From construction sites to office buildings, head injuries can happen in an instant and have long-lasting effects. Whether it’s a fall from scaffolding, a collision on a delivery route, or being struck by a falling object, your injury deserves immediate attention and full legal protection. Even mild head trauma, such as a concussion, can result in serious cognitive, emotional, or physical complications that interfere with your ability to work and live comfortably.

That’s why it’s critical to act quickly—not just medically, but legally. Workers’ compensation in California provides benefits for medical care, wage replacement, and disability, but these claims are often contested, delayed, or denied—especially when head injuries are involved.

Legal Rights Under California Workers’ Compensation Law

If you’ve sustained a head injury at work in Pasadena, you are protected under California’s workers’ compensation laws. These laws ensure that injured employees receive necessary medical care and financial support—regardless of who caused the accident. That’s because California follows a “no-fault” system, meaning you don’t have to prove your employer did anything wrong to qualify for benefits.

What Benefits Are You Entitled To?

If your claim is approved, you may be eligible for several important benefits, including:

  • Medical Care
    Full coverage for treatment related to your head injury, including emergency care, hospital stays, medication, rehabilitation, and neurological evaluations. No co-pays or deductibles.
  • Temporary Disability Benefits (TD)
    If your doctor says you cannot work due to the injury, you may receive partial wage replacement—typically two-thirds of your average weekly earnings.
  • Permanent Disability Benefits (PD)
    If your head injury results in lasting physical or mental impairment, you may qualify for compensation based on the degree of permanent disability.
  • Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits (SJDB)
    A voucher for job retraining or education if you can’t return to your old job due to the injury.
  • Death Benefits
    If the injury leads to death, your surviving dependents may be entitled to burial costs and ongoing financial support.

Reporting and Deadlines Matter

To protect your right to these benefits, it’s critical to act quickly:

  • Report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the incident or of first noticing symptoms. Delays can result in claim denial.
  • File a DWC-1 Claim Form to formally start the workers’ compensation process.
  • Your employer is then required to submit the claim to their insurance carrier.

Missing these steps or deadlines can put your claim—and your benefits—at risk. At Tim Wright Law, we guide Pasadena workers through every phase of the process, ensuring your claim is filed properly and your rights are fully protected.

Steps to Take After a Head Injury at Work in Pasadena

Report the Injury to Your Employer Immediately

Under California law, you must notify your employer within 30 days of the injury or when you first notice symptoms. Ideally, this should be done in writing. Don’t wait—even if you think your symptoms are mild, reporting the injury right away helps protect your claim and ensures you’re eligible for benefits.

Seek Emergency or Approved Medical Care

Head injuries often require immediate medical attention. If it's an emergency, go to the nearest hospital or urgent care. For non-emergencies, ask your employer for a list of approved workers’ compensation medical providers.

Be sure to:

  • Tell the doctor the injury happened at work
  • Describe all symptoms, even if they seem minor
  • Follow all treatment instructions and attend follow-ups

File a DWC-1 Claim Form

After reporting the injury, your employer must give you a DWC-1 Claim Form. This form officially starts your workers’ compensation claim. Complete your section and return it to your employer as soon as possible.

Once submitted:

  • Your employer is required to forward it to their insurance carrier
  • You may be eligible for up to $10,000 in medical treatment while the claim is pending

Get Legal Guidance Before Speaking to Insurers

Insurance companies often look for ways to minimize or deny workers’ comp claims—especially those involving head injuries, which can be complex and difficult to diagnose. Before giving a recorded statement or accepting any settlement offer, speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.

At Tim Wright Law, we’ll help you:

  • Protect your rights during insurance communications
  • Ensure your medical needs are fully addressed
  • Maximize the benefits you’re entitled to under California law

Can I File a Lawsuit in Addition to My Workers’ Comp Claim?

Third-Party Liability: When Others Are at Fault

If someone other than your employer or a co-worker contributed to your workplace head injury, you may have grounds to file a third-party liability claim. Common examples in Pasadena include:

  • A subcontractor on a construction site who created an unsafe condition
  • A driver who hit you while you were performing job duties (e.g., deliveries or site visits)
  • A manufacturer of defective helmets, machinery, or protective gear
  • A property owner whose negligence caused a slip, fall, or impact injury

These lawsuits allow you to seek damages not covered by workers’ comp, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and full wage loss.

When Employer Negligence May Warrant Legal Action

Though rare, it is possible to take legal action against your employer if their actions rise to the level of gross negligence or willful misconduct. This could apply in situations where an employer:

  • Knowingly ignored major safety risks
  • Violated OSHA regulations without correction
  • Failed to provide required protective gear

Why Dual Claims Can Maximize Compensation

You don’t have to choose between a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury lawsuit—they can often work together. This dual-track approach ensures:

  • You get immediate medical treatment and wage benefits through workers’ comp
  • You pursue full compensation (including pain and suffering) through a civil lawsuit

At Tim Wright Law, we carefully evaluate every workplace head injury case in Pasadena to identify all possible avenues for compensation. Our experience in both workers’ compensation and personal injury law gives our clients a powerful legal advantage.

Special Considerations for Head and Brain Injuries

Long-Term Effects and Delayed Symptoms

Unlike visible injuries like broken bones or cuts, the effects of a head injury may not show up right away. Some symptoms—like memory loss, dizziness, mood swings, or difficulty concentrating—can take days or even weeks to fully appear. Without proper evaluation, these symptoms may go unnoticed or be downplayed.

This delay makes it even more important to report your injury and seek medical attention immediately, even if you think it’s “just a bump.” Early documentation can be the key to getting your claim approved later.

Cognitive, Emotional, and Physical Complications

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can affect every aspect of your life. Head injury complications may include:

  • Cognitive issues: memory loss, confusion, difficulty focusing
  • Emotional changes: depression, anxiety, irritability
  • Physical problems: headaches, vision issues, fatigue, balance problems
  • Sensory sensitivity: light, sound, or smell intolerance

Why Insurers Often Dispute Head Injury Claims

Unfortunately, head and brain injuries are among the most frequently contested types of workplace claims. Insurance companies may argue:

  • The injury is not work-related
  • Symptoms are exaggerated or pre-existing
  • There’s insufficient medical evidence

These tactics are designed to reduce or deny benefits. Having a skilled attorney on your side ensures that your claim is properly supported and that your health and legal rights are protected.

The Role of Medical Experts

Proper diagnosis and documentation are essential in head injury cases. At Tim Wright Law, we work closely with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and other medical specialists to:

  • Accurately assess the severity of your injury
  • Connect symptoms directly to your workplace accident
  • Provide expert reports to support your claim

This medical support is critical to securing the full range of benefits you deserve under California workers’ comp law.

Contact Us for Free Help With Your Head Injury Claim

If you’ve suffered a head or brain injury at work in Pasadena, don’t wait to get the legal support you need. At Tim Wright Law, we’re committed to helping injured workers understand their rights, secure medical care, and recover the full benefits they deserve. Your consultation is free, and you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win for you.

Reach Out Today

📍 Workers’ Compensation Office – Van Nuys
16555 Sherman Way, Suite B2
Van Nuys, CA 91406
📞 (818) 428-1080

📍 Personal Injury Office – Burbank
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506
📞 (323) 379-9995

📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com

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I am very satisfied and thankful with Attorney Tim Wright and his whole team for taking care and handling my fathers personal injuries case. Thank you all very much your staff is amazing, very helpful.
Abraham Ortega
The Law Offices of Tim D. Wright were awesome. They were professional, they kept an open communication with me through out the process.  Big shout out to Sergio and Mercedes for being very helpful with my settlement.
Frank Medina

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