Worker’s compensation is a system designed to manage workplace injuries. Attorneys that focus on workers' compensation law involves employees' rights, employers' defenses, and benefits provided for workplace accidents. The law of workplace injuries can be divided into two general areas of concern. The first relates to workplace injuries which are covered by the required worker’s compensation laws. The second relates to injuries and claims against third parties for injuries that occur in the workplace. An experienced board-certified workers’ compensation attorney can help you obtain benefits for your medical treatment and disability payments. The board certification for workers' compensation law is awarded by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Additionally, the board-certified attorney has shown involvement by handling a specified number of matters in areas of the law such as a trial, appellate, rehabilitation, pretrial practice, and procedures.
In California, the board certification for workers' compensation law is awarded by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Only California attorneys who are board certified in workers' compensation law can advertise or identify themselves as "certified specialists" or "board certified" in California for that field.
The Rules Governing the State Bar of California Program for Certifying Legal Specialists govern the program requirements and should be read in conjunction with the standards for certification in workers' compensation law.
Among other requirements, the attorneys must pass the legal specialist examination, demonstrate substantial involvement, and complete continuing education requirements. Attorneys who are certified in California must apply for recertification every five years.
An attorney seeking board certification in Worker's Compensation Law must demonstrate that within the applicable time period the attorney has substantially involved in the specialty practice area of the law.
A showing of substantial involvement can be shown by handling a specified number of matters in the following areas of the law:
The lawyer seeking board certification can make a prima facie showing of substantial involvement in the area of workers' compensation law by performing a specified number and type of activities including:
A lawyer seeking certification in workers' compensation law must show that within the specified time period he or she has completed a certain number of hours of continuing legal educational activities approved for workers' compensation law specialists.
A certain number of continuing legal education hours for certification must deal with the mechanics of rating permanent disability.