An Overview of Serious and Willful Injuries in the Workplace

Slade Neighbors has owned and operated his Encino, California-based law firm since 1995. As an attorney, Slade Neighbors provides defense representation in workers compensation and related matters, such as serious and willful injuries.

In employee injury cases involving serious and willful misconduct on the part of the employer, the employee may be entitled to additional compensation, generally a 50 percent increase with no maximum cap. Serious and willful injuries are typically brought to trial under Labor Code 4553 and must be accompanied by an official petition for serious and willful penalty, as well as the application for traditional workers compensation benefits.

Serious and willful misconduct by an employer may be defined in a number of ways. In many cases, employers found guilty of an unusually high degree of fault may be charged with serious and willful misconduct, though the degree of fault must surpass that of gross negligence. More information regarding serious and willful misconduct claims, including how an employer can disprove these claims, can be found at http://www.sladeneighbors.com.

Workers Compensation Defense through Slade Neighbors

Slade Neighbors, a graduate of the Whittier College School of Law, has managed operations at his Encino, California, law firm for nearly 24 years. The attorneys at Slade Neighbors, A Professional Law Corporation–one of California’s top workers compensation defense firms–are well versed in all aspects of workers compensation defense.

While the firm’s attorneys are capable of representing clients for the duration of a workers compensation trial, they also provide support over the course of settlement negotiations and drafting. Attorneys can even be enlisted following a settlement decision in order to provide support for settlement stipulations and, ultimately, board approval. On the other hand, clients may choose to hire the firm early in the negotiation process to provide assistance during mediation and, if necessary, appeals.

Beyond the team’s familiarity with mediation processes and settlements, Slade Neighbors attorneys are also highly experienced in areas of trial defense, including comprehensive fraud intervention. To discuss representation against workers compensation claims, please contact the firm at (818) 784-7368.