Ep. 137 - How to Still Get a BIG Settlement After Being Fired
Release Date: 12/16/2025
Why Your Workers' Comp Treatment Keeps Getting Delayed (2026 California Rule Changes)
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Your doctor says you need treatment… but the insurance company keeps delaying it. Every week you wait, your injury could get worse. So why does this happen, and what changed in California's workers' compensation system in 2026? You don't have to navigate the California workers' compensation system alone. Click the link below to schedule your FREE consultation and get answers specific to your case In episode #158 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez sits down with Bilal Kassem, President of Pacific Workers and a California workers'...
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Sacramento Warehouse Jobs Are Causing More Injuries Than People Admit
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Every day, warehouse workers in Sacramento are getting injured, but most of them don’t realize the real damage isn’t just the injury, it’s what happens to their workers’ comp case after. Back pain, shoulder injuries, knee damage, and cumulative trauma are becoming a silent crisis inside California warehouses. And while workers keep pushing through the pain, many are unknowingly losing money on their settlement and payout without even questioning it. If you are dealing with pain, delays, or confusion about your checks, don’t wait until your case is already...
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New 2026 Workers’ Comp Rules May Be Reducing Your Payments
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Could your Workers’ Comp check in 2026 already be wrong and you don’t even know it? Most injured workers assume the system automatically calculates everything correctly. You get hurt. You get paid. Everything is accurate. But that’s not how it works. In reality, payments change, calculations shift, and many workers in California are receiving less money than they should without realizing it. If this is happening to you, request your free consultation here: Fill out the form and our team will call you right away. In...
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Ep. 155 - How Workers’ Comp Cases Are Managed for Seniors: Medicare & IRS Explained
Work Comp Talk Podcast
If you’re over 60 and injured at work, your Workers’ Comp settlement is NOT just a payout, it can directly impact your Medicare, retirement planning, and even federal reporting obligations. And most injured workers don’t realize this until it’s too late. 👇 FREE CONSULTATION If you’re unsure about your case or about to sign a settlement, click the link below and speak with our team In this episode of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez sits down with attorney Jonathan Harris from Pacific Workers to break down what really happens when ...
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Ep. 154 - When Does Workers’ Comp Start Paying in California?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
You got injured at work… but the money isn’t coming. No paycheck and no clear timeline. So what’s really happening? Are your benefits delayed… Or are you being paid less than your case may actually deserve? Click below for a free personalized consultation In this episode of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez breaks down exactly when workers’ comp starts paying in California, and what can affect your benefits. Inside this video, you’ll learn: 14-day payment rule DWC-1 claim form explained Temporary Disability (TD)...
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Ep. 153 - Should I hire a Workers’ Comp Attorney?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Most injured workers don’t realize this: it’s not the injury that defines your case, it’s the decisions you make early on and the guidance you have. If you don’t know what to do next, don’t guess. Book a free, confidential consultation with us and find out how we can help. Welcome to episode #153 of Work Comp Talk, hosted by Carmen Ramirez with a key guest Bilal Kassem, President of Pacific Workers. In this opportunity, we tackle one of the most important decisions any injured...
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Your Workers’ Rights Do Not Depend on Your Immigration Status
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Are you avoiding reporting a workplace injury because of your immigration status? You’re not alone and that fear is more common than you think. If fear is holding you back, start with a conversation. It’s free, confidential, and focused on protecting your rights. At Pacific Workers, we see it every day, injured workers across California choosing not to act. Not because they don’t have rights, but because of fear and misinformation. But here’s the truth: your right to medical care and Workers’ Compensation benefits does NOT...
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Ep. 152 - How Workers’ Comp Settlements Are Really Calculated
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Do you think your workers’ comp settlement is just a random number the insurance company picks? You could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table, without even knowing it. Welcome to Episode #152 of Work Comp Talk, hosted by Carmen Ramirez, with a special guest Mark Scott Thuesen, an attorney with over 17 years of experience in California Workers’ Compensation. Today we break down how settlements are really calculated, which factors matter (and which ones they’re not telling you), and why many injured workers accept less than they truly...
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Ep. 151 - Should I use my PTO or Vacation for Workers’ Comp?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
If you got injured at work and your employer told you to use your PTO… You might be losing money without even knowing it. In this episode 151 of Work Comp Talk, Carmen Ramirez is joined by Bilal Kassem from Pacific Workers to break down when you should and when you should not use your PTO while on Workers’ Compensation. Most injured workers don’t realize this can cost them money, burn through their earned time off, and impact their financial stability. If your employer is telling you not to report your injury or to use your own time first, that could be a major...
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Ep. 150 - The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Workers’ Comp Settlement
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Today we celebrate Episode 150 of Work Comp Talk. A couple of years ago, this podcast started with one simple goal: helping injured workers understand a system that can often feel confusing and overwhelming. Since then, we’ve had meaningful conversations, answered important questions, and shared insights that we hope have helped many people feel more confident about their workers’ compensation cases. For this special episode, four attorneys from Pacific Workers join host Carmen Ramirez to share practical tips on protecting your workers’ compensation settlement in...
info_outlineEpisode #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 getting terminated does not automatically take away your rights under this rule, as long as your injury happened before the termination notice or is properly documented. They also explain what the law actually says, the biggest mistakes workers make, and the top 5 ways to strengthen your case even after termination.
Takeaways:
Quitting does not automatically forfeit workers' compensation rights.
Post-termination defense prevents false claims after termination.
Documenting injuries is crucial for pursuing claims.
Cumulative trauma injuries may not be recognized until later.
Employers can retaliate against employees who file claims.
Consulting a lawyer is advisable for navigating claims.
Insurance companies, not employers, are responsible for claims.
Understanding your financial situation is important before quitting.
Myths about workers' compensation can lead to misinformation.
Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Post-Termination Defense
06:31 Navigating Injuries and Employment Status
10:07 Five Essential Steps Before Quitting
14:45 Myths About Workers' Compensation Rights
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.
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