Can You Collect Workers’ Comp After Being Fired in California?

Episode description: In this episode, Ochoa & Calderón explains whether an injured California worker can still collect workers’ compensation benefits after being fired. The episode covers post-termination claims, reporting and filing deadlines, medical treatment, disability payments, employer retaliation, and the evidence that may help prove an injury occurred during employment.  Key topics covered in this episode: Workers’ compensation after termination: Why being fired does not automatically eliminate benefits for an injury that occurred during employment. Post-termination claim disputes: How employers and insurers may challenge the timing or cause of an injury. Available benefits: Medical treatment, temporary disability, permanent disability, mileage reimbursement, and job-retraining benefits. Critical deadlines: The general 30-day injury-reporting period and one-year claim-filing deadline. Workplace retaliation: Additional legal issues when an employee is fired for reporting an injury or pursuing benefits. Evidence that supports a claim: Medical records, incident reports, witness information, and documentation connecting the injury to the job. Common claim mistakes: Delayed reporting, treatment gaps, missing records, and conversations with insurers without legal advice. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this segment does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.