San Fernando Valley Workers’ Compensation Guide

Nov 9

If you were hurt on the job anywhere in the San Fernando Valley, your case will be judged under California workers’ compensation law, but how your claim actually moves depends on where you live, where you treated, and which insurance adjuster is assigned.
At Lee Partners Law: Work Injury Attorneys, we handle cases every week out of Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Sylmar, and the surrounding communities. We know the local employers, clinics, and QME doctors who regularly work these files—and how to make sure your claim is valued fairly.

Whether you’re on a construction crew in Northridge, stocking shelves in Reseda, driving deliveries through Chatsworth, or working production in Studio City, your case follows the same legal rules but plays out differently here in the Valley.

1. Getting proper treatment in the Valley - Admitted Claims

Many injured workers in Van Nuys, Panorama City, and North Hollywood get sent to industrial clinics that rush through the first exam. They do not listen to you and you will be lucky if you even see a doctor. Often, only a nurse practicioner or a physician assitant. Those first reports often set the tone for the entire claim.
You have the right to medical care that actually helps you recover—not just a quick visit and a return-to-work note.

Here’s what we do:

Move you to a stronger doctor within the Medical Provider Network.
Push for the right diagnostics—MRIs, EMGs, nerve studies.
Work to challenge the initial report that may not take into account all body parts or complaints.

2. Denied claims and delayed treatment

Valley employers often deny claims saying the injury was “pre-existing” or “not reported ” or filed after termination. We are experts at challenging these defenses and securing your right to a medical examination by a neutral doctor.

When your claim is denied, we can still force an evaluation by a Panel Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) and make sure the doctor applies the AMA Guides, 5th Edition properly. All paid by the insurance company at no cost to you even if your case is denied.

We handle denials from every corner of the Valley—Sylmar, Mission Hills, Pacoima, North Hills, and Granada Hills.

3. Light duty that isn’t really light - TTD might be owed

Valley employers frequently offer “modified work” that still breaks medical restrictions—especially in Reseda, Woodland Hills, and Tarzana warehouses or manufacturing plants.
If your job duties violate your restrictions, you don’t have to risk your health.

If on an admitted claim the employer is not accommodating your restrictions you are entitled to 2/3 your salary, tax free. We fight to make sure you get TTD whenever we can so you can recover without being forced to work.

4. Why AMA Guides 5th Edition determines your settlement

California uses the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule, which relies on the AMA Guides 5th Edition to calculate your Whole Person Impairment.
In Valley cases, this often means correcting errors from rushed QMEs or doctors unfamiliar with rating rules.

Common mistakes we fix:

Spine cases not rated for radiculopathy or range of motion.
Shoulder, knee, and elbow injuries missing cross-extremity combination.
Multi-body injuries where the Combined Values Chart wasn’t applied.

When corrected, your impairment—and your settlement value—can increase substantially.

5. Understanding the Valley work comp ecosystem

We regularly see insurance companies and defense doctors working out of Van Nuys, Encino, and Woodland Hills offices. They focus on:

Whether you reported the injury immediately.
Whether you reported ALL Body parts.
Whether the doctor declared you at MMI too early.
Whether they can apportion part of your disability to a prior non-industrial issue.

This is where legal representation makes the difference. We know the tactics and how to push back. We know all the players in the San Fernando Valley. The Neutral Doctors, the Treaters, Insurance Companies, and Judges. Knowing the players makes a huge difference in your case.

6. When to call Lee Partners Law

Call or text if:

Your Valley claim was denied or delayed.
You feel pushed back to work in Van Nuys, Panorama City, or North Hollywood before healing.
Your QME report looks wrong or low.
The doctor ignored part of your injury.
Your temporary disability checks stopped without reason.
You want to maximize your settlement

We’ll review your medical reports and ratings to find every area of underpayment and under-evaluation.

CALL OR TEXT 310-295-09822