About Ryan D. Kayrell

Ryan Kayrell's roots in Santa Ana run deep—his grandfather worked as a Court Clerk at the Old County Court House, and now, his son attends the prestigious Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) right here in town.  He understands the community and the challenges faced by hardworking people who keep it running.

If you've been hurt on the job in Santa Ana, it's important to know your rights and the steps you need to take to get the benefits you deserve. Workers' compensation can help cover medical expenses and lost wages, but the process can be confusing. That's where having the right information—and the right support—can make all the difference.

If you're injured at work, the first step is to let your employer know. You should report the injury in writing within 30 days, but even telling a supervisor counts. Don't worry—if you miss the deadline, you may still be able to file unless the delay negatively affects your employer.

Once you report the injury, your employer must provide a claim form within one business day. You'll need to fill it out with details like:

• When and where the injury happened
• A description of what happened
• Which parts of your body were affected
• Your Social Security number

Your employer will complete their section and send the form to their insurance company. Soon after, you'll receive important information in the mail about:

• The workers' comp process and available benefits
• Approved healthcare providers
• Your rights to change doctors
• How to get medical care while waiting for a decision
• Protections against discrimination
• What to do if you disagree with the insurance company's decision

In most cases, you have up to one year to file your claim, but some situations can extend this deadline. If your employer doesn't inform you of your rights or provide a claim form, the time limit might not apply.

Once your claim is submitted, the insurance company has 90 days to make a decision. If they don't respond within that time, your injury is automatically accepted. Even while waiting, you're entitled to up to $10,000 in medical treatment, no matter what happens with your claim.

If your claim is denied, don't panic—a workers' compensation attorney can help you figure out what to do next.

Sometimes, workers and insurance companies don't see eye to eye on things like medical treatment, disability status, or benefits. If that happens, filing an Application for Adjudication of Claim can get the issue in front of a judge.

From there, you or your attorney can request a hearing to resolve the disagreement. While waiting for the hearing, it's important to stay on top of medical care and keep records of everything.

Insurance companies deny claims for several reasons, but that doesn't always mean it's the end of the road. Here are a few common reasons:

• They think the injury was intentional. Workers' comp only covers accidental injuries, but unless they have solid proof, they can't deny your claim without reason.
• They believe your injury isn’t work-related. Injuries that happen on lunch breaks or commutes usually aren't covered, but if you're on a work trip or doing job-related activities, you might still qualify.
• They claim you were being reckless. If you were goofing off or breaking company rules, they may deny your claim. However, not all denials are justified, and an attorney can help prove your case.
• You missed doctor appointments. Staying on top of medical visits is crucial because insurance companies rely on those reports to determine your benefits.
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Dealing with a work injury can be stressful, especially when you're trying to recover and handle legal paperwork at the same time. That's where having a knowledgeable workers' comp attorney can help.

Ryan D. Kayrell has helped many injured workers in Santa Ana get the benefits they need to focus on healing and moving forward. If you have questions or need help with your claim, call Ryan's office today at (949) 873-2868 to schedule a consultation.