Once you enter the workers’ compensation system by making a claim, you will need to work on moving your claim to the end. You will reach the end when your claim becomes resolved.
According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, you do not reach a resolution until you and the claims administrator reach an agreement on how to handle your claim and a judge signs off on it.
Settlement
The settlement process may involve you agreeing to continue payments over a period of time or a lump sum payment. Typically, the administrator will agree to pay for all medical care you need to handle the injury you sustained in the work-related incident. However, you may need to negotiate that because the administrator may make you prove that certain care is something you must have.
The most complex part of your agreement will be for lost wages. The state has set some rules about when you qualify, how much you can get and when you can get it. However, the administrator can also negotiate the final deal on these payments.
Keep in mind that a judge has to review the settlement to ensure fairness and adherence to the law.
No settlement
If you cannot settle, then you cannot reach a resolution that way. You will then have to go to court. A workers’ compensation administrative law judge will hear the case and make a final decision to resolve your case.
Once your case reaches a resolved status, you will set up the payments and move forward with the process of healing. You should have no further matters with workers’ compensation after you reach a resolution.