# Common Questions **Organized by where you are, not by legal topic.** Each page answers the question in the first sixty words. --- ## It just happened **The first days, and what the law makes of how it happened.** [It was my fault](/answers/was-it-my-fault/) · [I hurt my back lifting](/answers/i-hurt-my-back-lifting/) · [I fell at work](/answers/i-fell-at-work/) · [I was hurt on a ladder](/answers/i-was-hurt-on-a-ladder/) · [I was hurt in the parking lot](/answers/i-was-hurt-in-the-parking-lot/) · [I cut my hand](/answers/i-cut-my-hand-at-work/) · [There were no safety guards](/answers/there-were-no-safety-guards/) · [I was hurt during training](/answers/i-was-hurt-during-training/) · [I was in a crash while working](/answers/i-was-in-a-car-accident-for-work/) · [I got sick from something at work](/answers/i-got-sick-from-something-at-work/) · [A coworker hurt me](/answers/i-was-hurt-by-a-coworker/) · [A customer attacked me](/answers/i-was-hurt-by-a-customer/) · [They say I was horsing around](/answers/they-say-i-was-horsing-around/) · [I got hurt at a company event](/answers/i-got-hurt-at-a-company-event/) · [I was hurt on my way to work](/answers/does-workers-comp-cover-my-commute/) · [It was my first day](/answers/i-was-hurt-on-my-first-day/) · [I got hurt working from home](/answers/i-got-hurt-working-from-home/) · [Nobody saw it happen](/answers/nobody-saw-it-happen/) · [I was hurt during my break](/answers/i-was-hurt-during-my-break/) · [How do I prove my injury?](/answers/how-do-i-prove-my-injury/) ## Can I even file? **Coverage, status, and the employers who say no.** [My employer says I can't](/answers/my-employer-says-i-cant-file/) · [I'm undocumented](/answers/im-undocumented/) · [Does this affect my immigration case?](/answers/does-this-affect-my-immigration-case/) · [I'm pregnant](/answers/im-pregnant/) · [I'd been drinking or using](/answers/i-had-been-drinking-or-using/) · [I'd only worked there a few weeks](/answers/i-only-worked-there-a-few-weeks/) · [I work for USPS or the federal government](/answers/i-work-for-the-federal-government/) · [I work for a small business](/answers/i-work-for-a-small-business/) · [I work through a staffing agency](/answers/my-employer-is-a-staffing-agency/) · [My employer is self-insured](/answers/my-employer-is-self-insured/) · [My employer went out of business](/answers/my-employer-went-out-of-business/) · [My employer changed insurance companies](/answers/my-employer-changed-insurance-companies/) · [Is my employer even insured?](/answers/how-do-i-find-out-if-they-have-insurance/) · [I was paid in cash](/answers/i-was-paid-in-cash/) · [They say I'm an independent contractor](/answers/they-say-im-an-independent-contractor/) · [I was hurt in California but live elsewhere](/answers/i-got-hurt-in-california-but-live-elsewhere/) · [I didn't report it right away](/answers/i-didnt-report-my-injury-right-away/) · [I have two jobs](/answers/i-have-two-jobs/) · [I need an interpreter](/answers/i-need-an-interpreter/) · [I'm a union member](/answers/im-a-union-member/) · [Can I still file if I quit?](/answers/can-i-still-file-if-i-quit/) · [I'm scared to file](/answers/im-scared-to-file/) · [I work for a school district](/answers/i-work-for-a-school/) · [I'm a firefighter or police officer](/answers/im-a-firefighter-or-police-officer/) · [They want me to take a drug test](/answers/they-want-me-to-take-a-drug-test/) ## They stopped something, or won't start it **Delays, denials, and checks that never came.** [My check stopped](/answers/my-workers-comp-check-stopped/) · [My benefits went down](/answers/my-benefits-are-being-reduced/) · [My claim is delayed](/answers/my-claim-is-delayed/) · [Nothing is happening](/answers/nothing-is-happening-on-my-claim/) · [My adjuster won't call me back](/answers/my-adjuster-wont-call-me-back/) · [They denied my MRI](/answers/they-denied-my-mri/) · [They approved part of my treatment](/answers/they-approved-part-of-my-treatment/) · [I need surgery and they're stalling](/answers/i-need-surgery-and-theyre-stalling/) · [Who pays while I wait for surgery?](/answers/who-pays-while-i-wait-for-surgery/) · [IMR went against me](/answers/i-got-an-imr-decision/) · [They say it's not work-related](/answers/they-say-its-not-work-related/) · [They say it's just arthritis](/answers/they-say-its-arthritis-not-my-job/) · [I have diabetes or another condition](/answers/i-have-diabetes-or-another-condition/) · [They told me to use my own insurance](/answers/they-want-me-to-use-my-own-insurance/) · [I can't afford to wait](/answers/i-cant-afford-to-wait/) ## Doctors, exams, and records **Who examines you, who chooses, and what the report has to say.** [They want me to see their doctor](/answers/they-want-me-to-see-their-doctor/) · [Can I see my own doctor?](/answers/can-i-see-my-own-doctor/) · [My doctor won't take workers' comp](/answers/my-doctor-wont-take-workers-comp/) · [Can I get a second opinion?](/answers/can-i-get-a-second-opinion/) · [What is an AME?](/answers/what-is-an-ame/) · [I missed my QME appointment](/answers/i-missed-my-qme-appointment/) · [I don't agree with the QME report](/answers/i-dont-agree-with-the-qme-report/) · [What happens at my QME?](/answers/what-happens-at-my-qme-appointment/) · [Can I choose the QME specialty?](/answers/can-i-choose-the-qme-specialty/) · [They want me to see a psychiatrist](/answers/they-want-me-to-see-a-psychiatrist/) · [How do I get my records?](/answers/how-do-i-get-my-medical-records/) · [Mileage and travel](/answers/mileage-and-travel-reimbursement/) · [I need a ride to my appointments](/answers/i-need-a-ride-to-my-appointments/) · [My interpreter wasn't good](/answers/my-interpreter-wasnt-good/) · [My doctor released me but I can't work](/answers/my-doctor-released-me-but-i-cant-work/) · [The doctor won't write restrictions](/answers/the-doctor-wont-write-restrictions/) · [They sent me to a doctor far away](/answers/they-sent-me-to-a-doctor-far-away/) · [Can I see a chiropractor?](/answers/can-i-see-a-chiropractor/) · [I can't afford my prescriptions](/answers/i-cant-afford-my-prescriptions/) · [There's a nurse at my appointments](/answers/theres-a-nurse-at-my-appointments/) · [Do I have to go to the company clinic?](/answers/do-i-have-to-go-to-the-company-clinic/) · [Can I get mental health treatment?](/answers/can-i-get-mental-health-treatment/) · [I can't sleep since the injury](/answers/i-cant-sleep-since-the-injury/) · [I need help at home](/answers/i-need-help-at-home/) · [What if I need surgery?](/answers/what-if-i-need-surgery/) ## Specific injuries **Where the body part changes the answer.** [I think I have carpal tunnel](/answers/i-think-i-have-carpal-tunnel/) · [My hearing is getting worse](/answers/my-hearing-is-getting-worse/) · [I got a hernia at work](/answers/i-have-a-hernia-from-work/) · [My other side started hurting](/answers/my-other-side-started-hurting/) · [My pain is worse than my rating](/answers/my-pain-is-worse-than-my-rating/) · [I have two different injuries](/answers/i-have-two-different-injuries/) · [The surgery made it worse](/answers/the-surgery-made-it-worse/) ## Something is about to be decided **Ratings, offers, conferences, and the documents that end a case.** [My doctor said I'm permanent and stationary](/answers/my-doctor-said-im-permanent-and-stationary/) · [What is a rating string?](/answers/what-is-a-rating-string/) · [What is *Almaraz/Guzman*?](/answers/what-is-almaraz-guzman/) · [Can I add body parts?](/answers/can-i-add-body-parts-to-my-claim/) · [How much is my case worth?](/answers/how-much-is-my-case-worth/) · [Is my settlement offer enough?](/answers/is-my-settlement-offer-enough/) · [What is a Compromise and Release?](/answers/what-is-a-compromise-and-release/) · [Should I settle or go to trial?](/answers/should-i-settle-or-go-to-trial/) · [What happens at a settlement conference?](/answers/what-happens-at-a-settlement-conference/) · [What happens at trial?](/answers/what-happens-at-trial/) · [What if my employer appeals?](/answers/what-if-my-employer-appeals/) · [I got a letter about a lien](/answers/i-got-a-letter-about-a-lien/) · [Can my settlement be garnished?](/answers/can-my-settlement-be-garnished/) · [They want me to sign something](/answers/they-want-me-to-sign-something/) · [My settlement check was less than I expected](/answers/my-settlement-check-is-less-than-i-expected/) · [I signed something I shouldn't have](/answers/i-signed-something-i-shouldnt-have/) · [They offered me severance](/answers/my-employer-offered-me-severance/) · [My health insurance wants to be paid back](/answers/my-health-insurance-wants-to-be-paid-back/) · [I'm on Medicare](/answers/im-on-medicare/) ## Investigation and testimony **Statements, surveillance, and your own file.** [They want a recorded statement](/answers/they-want-a-recorded-statement/) · [I think they're following me](/answers/theyre-following-me/) · [Do they get my social media?](/answers/do-they-get-my-social-media/) · [Can I get the surveillance video?](/answers/can-i-get-the-surveillance-video/) · [Can I see my own file?](/answers/can-i-see-my-own-file/) · [What if my employer lies?](/answers/what-if-my-employer-lies/) · [I had a workers' comp case before](/answers/i-had-a-workers-comp-case-before/) · [They're asking about my immigration status](/answers/theyre-asking-about-my-immigration-status/) · [I have an old injury and a new one](/answers/i-have-an-old-injury-and-a-new-one/) ## Work, money, and other benefits **What arrives while you are off, and what happens to the job.** [How much do I get while off work?](/answers/how-much-do-i-get-paid-while-off-work/) · [Do I have to use my sick time?](/answers/do-i-have-to-use-my-sick-time/) · [Do I pay taxes on it?](/answers/do-i-pay-taxes-on-workers-comp/) · [Workers' comp or State Disability?](/answers/workers-comp-or-state-disability/) · [I'm on Social Security disability](/answers/im-on-social-security-disability/) · [I can't go back to my old job](/answers/i-cant-go-back-to-my-old-job/) · [They're pressuring me to come back](/answers/theyre-pressuring-me-to-come-back/) · [Light duty with nothing to do](/answers/light-duty-with-nothing-to-do/) · [Can I be fired?](/answers/can-i-be-fired-on-workers-comp/) · [Can I work a different job while on comp?](/answers/can-i-work-a-different-job-while-on-comp/) · [I was fired before I filed](/answers/i-was-fired-before-i-filed/) · [Do I have to tell a new employer?](/answers/do-i-have-to-tell-a-new-employer/) · [Can my family get anything?](/answers/can-my-family-get-anything/) · [Can I get unemployment instead?](/answers/can-i-get-unemployment-instead/) · [What happens to my health insurance?](/answers/what-happens-to-my-health-insurance/) · [I'm a veteran with VA benefits](/answers/im-a-veteran-with-va-benefits/) ## Timing, and after it ends **How long it takes, and what can still be done later.** [How long will this take?](/answers/how-long-will-my-case-take/) · [My case is taking years](/answers/my-case-is-taking-years/) · [I think I missed a deadline](/answers/i-think-i-missed-a-deadline/) · [Can I reopen my case?](/answers/can-i-reopen-my-case/) · [I got hurt again at the same job](/answers/i-got-hurt-again-at-the-same-job/) · [I got hurt again at a new job](/answers/i-got-hurt-again-at-a-new-job/) · [What if I move out of state?](/answers/what-if-i-move-out-of-state/) · [What if I die before my case ends?](/answers/what-happens-if-i-die-before-my-case-ends/) · [My case was dismissed](/answers/my-case-was-dismissed/) · [How do I get this heard faster?](/answers/how-do-i-get-my-case-heard-faster/) ## Paperwork and lawyers **Including when you probably do not need one.** [I can't read the paperwork they sent me](/answers/what-if-i-cant-read-the-paperwork/) · [Do I need a lawyer?](/answers/do-i-need-a-lawyer/) — **including when you probably don't** · [What does one cost?](/answers/what-does-a-workers-comp-lawyer-cost/) · [I want to change lawyers](/answers/i-dont-like-my-lawyer/) · [Can my lawyer drop my case?](/answers/can-my-lawyer-drop-my-case/) --- **Also:** [The claim, start to finish](/workers-compensation/claim-process/) — ten stages, every statutory deadline, in order · [Every deadline in one place](/resources/deadlines/) — each clock with the statute that sets it · [Articles](/articles/) — longer analysis, every figure with its statute · [Glossary](/resources/glossary/) **(213) 380-9310** · Free consultation in English, Spanish, or Korean **[En español →](/es/respuestas/)** — esta página en español.