"Gordon, Edelstein is one of the most professional firms that I have dealt with. They have done a lot to educate our members about the laws pertaining to both workplace and personal injuries. When one of our members has been injured, the firm's professionals have clearly explained the options. In all of their dealings with us, they have been responsive, courteous and honest."
Immigrants often fail to report on-the-job injuries because they believe the Workers' Compensation law only covers U.S.-born employees or are afraid their legal status will disqualify them for benefits. Neither, however, is true.
Attorney David Goldstein recently settled a claim for $100,000 for a janitor at Los Padrinos Youth Authority who required surgery after injured his back lifting heavy boxes. Goldstein convinced the State Comp Insurance Fund to rate the injury under the old code, allowing triple the benefits that would have been paid under the new rate.
"California laws protect all workers, not just American citizens or legal immigrants," Goldstein said. "And employers are not allowed to bring up a worker's immigration status in these cases."
Lilia Garcia, head of the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, a janitors' advocacy group, said settlements like this "are changing the industry one case at a time."
Serving Ventura County and northwest Los Angeles County from our satellite office at
816 Camarillo Springs Road, Suite I, Camarillo, CA 93012. 888-764-7579 direct / 213.386.1671 fax.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This web site is for informational purposes only.
If you are seeking legal advice or representation, please contact us at 213 739-7000. Pursuant to Labor Code Section 5432(a), making a false or fraudulent workers' compensation claim is a felony subject to up to 5 years in prison
or a fine of up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine.
