Serious & Willful

Like many other states, California has a no-fault workers’ compensation system. In California’s workers’ compensation system, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board has exclusive jurisdiction over injuries arising from or during employment. A no-fault system can be beneficial to the employee in that it alleviates the need to prove your employer was negligent in receiving compensation. On the other hand, the no-fault system can be detrimental to an employee because employees are not entitled to pain and suffering and various types of consequential damages for their injury. This no-fault system benefits some employees, particularly those with more minor injuries. However, our Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorneys often see those with catastrophic injuries left without adequate compensation.

In adopting the California workers’ compensation laws, the legislature recognized certain claims that additional remedies should be allowed when someone is injured on the job. Some of the primary exceptions to the workers’ compensation system are when: 

• There is a dual capacity between you and your employer that goes beyond employer/employee: For example, if you worked for Walmart, but you were off duty and shopping in the store and were injured, you may be able to sue your employer.
• Your employer fraudulently conceals your injury: You were exposed to a blood-borne illness, and the employer lied to you about your exposure.
• Your employer physically assaults you or ratifies the assault by a co-employee 
• There are certain circumstances surrounding an injury while operating a power press.  
• Your employer was not lawfully insured for workers’ compensation

There are also additional remedies for violations of equality laws and the right to be free from unwanted comments and actions based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, and other protected classes. 

Our Sacramento workers’ compensation attorneys are often asked how to file a serious and willful petition. Suppose you would like to do it on your own. In that case, the Department of Industrial Relations has a great link on the mechanics of preparation of a document cover sheet and documents separator sheet. It includes a blank caption for the petition, verification, and proof of service.

While the link is helpful, problems may arise as you fill out the information. It’s like asking a dentist how to remove a tooth and trying to do it yourself. You can theoretically take a pain killer, grab a drill and pair of pliers, and go for it. But no one would recommend it.

The actual nuts and bolts of how to file a serious and willful complaint are not in drafting the various ancillary documents but in formulating the language that goes into the body of the petition. Our Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorneys are well-versed in identifying specific facts about the conduct that gives rise to the claim. They can identify specific crucial facts and findings by Cal/OSHA or other organizations and include the requisite allegations regarding jurisdiction, real parties in interests, and related matters.

If you have a claim, it is worth hiring a Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorney to assist. We handle these claims on a contingency basis, which means it doesn’t cost you anything until we win.