The wrist that aches from years of pipette and bench work.

The carpal tunnel from a decade at a keyboard.

The back that gave out slowly, not in one dramatic moment.

The stress condition a doctor finally connected to the job.

California covers injuries that build up over time exactly the way it covers a fall from a ladder, and in some situations it covers work-caused psychological injuries too. If you've been told your injury doesn't qualify because it wasn't sudden or dramatic enough, call us before you believe it.

Can they fire me for filing? No. California law prohibits punishing or firing you for filing ( Labor Code § 132a), and if it happens anyway, the retaliation creates additional claims against your employer.

Will this cost me anything? No. The consultation is free. Attorney fees come out of the recovery, set and approved by the state, never out of your pocket up front.

How long do I have? You generally have 30 days to report to your employer and about one year to file. For cumulative injuries, those clocks often start when you knew the injury was work-related. Start now.

What do I actually get? Medical care, wage replacement while you can't work, permanent disability money for lasting harm, retraining help if you can't return to the old job, and death benefits for families. The full guide is at our California workers' compensation guide.