Ep. 145 - How Much Is a Serious Work Injury Worth in California?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Episode 145: What You Need to Know About Severe Work Injuries in California If you suffered a severe work injury in California, the severity of your injury may determine how much compensation and long-term benefits you receive. Serious injuries unlock benefits that minor injuries never will. Not all work injuries are treated the same. In California workers’ compensation, serious and catastrophic injuries unlock benefits that minor injuries never will, including higher payouts, extended disability benefits, and even lifetime pensions. ...
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Ep. 144 - Do I Have to Quit My Job if I Settle My Workers’ Comp Case?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Most injured workers in California are told they must quit their job to settle a workers’ comp case, but that’s not always true. In episode #144 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez breaks it down with Pacific Workers attorney Bilal Kassem so you can understand that quitting is often a negotiation tactic, not a legal requirement, and most people never realize they actually have a choice. We walk you through: Whether you legally have to quit to settle workers’ comp in California Settlements can be a...
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Ep. 143 - Why Did My Workers’ Comp Checks Stop?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In episode #143 of Work Comp Talk, Carmen Ramirez and Bilal Kassem break down exactly why your workers’ compensation checks in California may suddenly stop, sometimes without any notice. From administrative errors to changes in work restrictions, missing medical reports, or the tricky overlap with California State Disability Insurance (SDI), we cover the real reasons behind delayed or stopped payments and how you can protect yourself. Takeaways: The common mistakes that can derail your workers’ comp case. How to spot errors before...
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Ep. 142 - What to Expect in 2026 for CA Workers’ Comp
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In Episode #142 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez and co-host and attorney Bilal Kassem break down what to expect in the California workers’ compensation system for 2026, what changed, what’s still a bottleneck, and what steps help shift your case from the system to help you stay in control. They cover 6 key updates for injured workers, including benefit rate changes (Temporary Disability), mileage reimbursement, medical treatment...
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Ep. 141 - How Insurance Companies Evaluate Your Case from Day One
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In episode #141 of the Work Comp Talk podcast, host Carmen Ramirez welcomes special guest Almarie Rodriguez, Director of Intake at Pacific Workers. With years of hands-on experience, Almarie explains why the first 72 hours after a work injury in California can determine your medical care, your benefits, your settlement, and your future,...
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Ep. 140 - Top 5 things your Case Manager needs you to know
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In Episode #140 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez welcomes special guest Gabriela Matesanz Cruz, Case Manager at Pacific Workers. They dive into the essential role of a case manager. If you’ve been injured at work, feel confused by insurance letters, are waiting on benefits, or worry that your case isn’t moving fast enough. Gabriela pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes and explains how your case is actually managed day-to-day. She shares the real factors that determine how...
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Ep. 139 - Workers’ Comp Special Webinar - Full Episode
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Episode #139 is a special release of our final and most requested webinar of the year, where Carmen Ramirez and Workers’ Compensation Attorney Bilal Qasem reveal the real strategies injured workers must understand to maximize their benefits, protect their wages and increase the long-term value of their workers’ compensation case. This is not generic advice, it’s the exact knowledge injured workers need to stop leaving money on the table, avoid costly mistakes, and take control of their claim. Takeaways: Understanding the workers'...
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Ep. 138 - Top Workers’ Comp Questions of 2025 That Can Put More Money in Your Pocket
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In this special Episode #138, we bring you clear answers to the top questions our audience has been asking about Workers’ Compensation in California. These are the real concerns injured workers are putting on the table in 2025, including mental health and work-related stress, what happens if you quit or are terminated after an injury, and how pre-existing conditions or injuries that develop over time can impact your case. Carmen Ramirez and workers’ comp attorney Bilal break down the most important insights to guide you...
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Ep. 137 - How to Still Get a BIG Settlement After Being Fired
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Episode #137 of Work Comp Talk breaks down the real secrets to winning big money in California Workers’ Comp even AFTER you’ve been fired, and yes, even if you quit, got laid off, or your boss is pushing you out. In this new segment, hosts Carmen Ramirez and Bilal Kassem uncover one of the most misunderstood rules in CA Work Comp: Post-Termination Defense, the rule that scares injured workers into thinking they lose all benefits the moment they leave their job. According to attorney Bilal, quitting or...
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Ep. 136 - The 5 Proven Ways to Maximize Your Workers’ Comp Settlement
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Episode #136 of Work Comp Talk is the one that can literally change the outcome of your workers’ comp case. This episode breaks down the Top 5 Ways to WIN Your Workers’ Comp Case. Whether you're new to the workers’ comp system or already stuck in the middle of a frustrating process, this episode gives you the clarity, confidence, and guidance you need to move forward. Takeaways: The Kite case advocates for simple addition in disability ratings. The Vigil case clarifies the use of simple addition for combined injuries. Injured workers...
info_outlineIn Episode 121 of Work Comp Talk, the second part of our Special Workers’ Compensation Webinar Series. Carmen and Bilal break down the critical deadlines every injured worker in California needs to know.
Missing key timelines can cost you care or benefits. In this episode, we cover the deadlines insurance companies won’t tell you about, and how delays or the wrong doctor can seriously impact your case.
We also clear up a major misconception: filing a claim isn’t suing your employer, it’s using the insurance system meant to protect you. Plus, Carmen and Bilal explain how attorney fees really work, and why legal help doesn’t come out of your pocket but can make all the difference.
What you’ll learn:
- The truth about insurance doctors and what they may not tell you about your injury.
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How to choose or change your doctor in the Medical Provider Network (MPN).
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Why filing a workers’ comp claim is not the same as suing your boss.
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How attorney fes really work in California workers’ comp cases, and why legal help doesn’t come out of your pocket.
Chapters:
00:00 – Why deadlines in workers’ comp are critical
01:00 – Filing your case and the statute of limitations
02:00 – Deadlines you cannot miss during your claim
03:00 – “Secret #2”: Insurance doctors are not impartial
04:30 – Choosing the right doctor from the MPN list
07:00 – Real case example: cumulative trauma denied
09:00 – How and when you can change your doctor
10:00 – Finding strategies to protect your case
11:00 – “Secret #3”: Filing a claim is NOT suing your boss
13:00 – Why small businesses may take claims personally
15:30 – Your health, your future, and your family come first
16:00 – How attorney fees actually work in workers’ comp
17:00 – Closing thoughts: your rights and protections
This episode is sponsored by Pacific Workers, The Lawyers for Injured Workers, the trusted workers’ compensation law firm in Northern California. With over 10,000 cases won and more than $350 million recovered for injured workers, we are here to help if you’ve suffered a workplace injury.
👉 Don’t forget to listen Part 1 of our webinar series if you missed it. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll continue to share the “secrets” that the insurance companies won’t tell you.
Want to join our next live webinar? Learn more and register here:
https://hello.pacificworkers.com/work...
Visit our FAQ and blog for more resources:
https://www.pacificworkers.com/blog/