Best Workers Compensation Attorneys in Santa Barbara

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Santa Barbara, California?

  For non-emergency concerns, call the Santa Barbara Police Department at 805-882-8900.

• Where can I get a copy of police report for incidents related to my case in Santa Barbara, California?

  You can get a copy of a police report by submitting a completed Request for Report form to the Santa Barbara Police Department located at 215 E. Figueroa St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101. You can also fax the completed form to 805-897-2434, email it to RTC@sbpd.com, or mail it to the address below. For further assistance, call 805-897-2355.

  Santa Barbara Police Department Attn: Records Bureau / Report Request 215 E. Figueroa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Request for Report Form: https://santabarbaraca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Police/Police/Request%20for%20Report%202020.pdf

• What benefits can you receive under workers’ compensation in Santa Barbara, CA?

  These are the workers' compensation benefits you may receive in Santa Barbara:

  Medical - Covers all required medical treatments and hospital expenses Temporary disability – Covers two-thirds of your weekly wage while you’re off work to recover from the injury Permanent disability – If your injury resulted in permanent impairment, this pays you an amount to address your loss of earning capacity Supplemental job displacement – Covers retraining and skill enhancement costs Death – Compensates surviving dependents for the economic losses resulting from the employee’s death

• How long does it take for your workers’ compensation claim in Santa Barbara to be accepted or denied?

  You should get a response from your Santa Barbara employer or their insurance company within 90 days from the date your DWC 1 Form was filed. If you do not get a response after 90 days, you can presume that your claim has been accepted. If your claim is denied, the reason for denial should be on a medical, legal, or factual basis. Otherwise, it is a bad-faith denial, and the insurer can be punished.

• Can you choose your own doctor to treat your injury if you’re receiving workers’ compensation benefits in Santa Barbara, CA?

  Generally, yes, you can have a physician of your own choice to provide treatment. However, if your employer has a medical provider network (MPN) or a health care organization (HCO), they will choose a physician from these groups to treat you for the initial 30 days. You can change to your preferred physician in Santa Barbara after the 30-day period.

• Your employer is asking to deduct a portion of the workers’ compensation insurance premium from your salary, is this legal in Santa Barbara, CA?

  Definitely not. It is a violation of the Californian Labor Code Section 3751. It is unlawful for your employer to collect payment or deduct from your earnings any amount to pay for workers’ compensation. This is considered a misdemeanor in Santa Barbara. Seek counsel from a workers’ compensation attorney if this is your situation.

• When do you qualify for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits in Santa Barbara, CA?

  TTD benefits are provided to injured employees in Santa Barbara who were hospitalized overnight or advised by the doctor to not do any work while recovering or not work for at least three days after the injury. You can also be entitled to TTD benefits if your employer cannot provide an alternative work arrangement that lets you earn your normal wage while recovering.