Sobaek: protecting working people's lives through fair workers' comp

Yes. To start, it helps to have your medical certificate and medical records (imaging reports and test results) ready so we can tell whether your case is an accident or an illness. For an accident, we'll ask detailed questions about what happened. For an illness, depending on the type, we'll ask about how it was diagnosed and your current condition, your past work history, your job duties, and other details.

Yes. Workers can file a claim for medical care benefits without the employer's seal or cooperation. That said, in some cases, depending on the type of case and your situation, the employer's cooperation matters a lot, so we'll need to review the facts.

Yes. You can challenge the denial within 90 days of the denial decision (the decision date) by filing a request for review with KCOMWEL or a request for reconsideration with the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Reconsideration Committee.

For a workplace accident, we look into everything from the facts of the case to any legal violations by the employer, so you're not at a disadvantage in a later dispute. That matters because if you're considering employer's liability insurance, auto insurance, or a damages claim after your workers' comp case closes, the case has to be handled with each party's share of fault in mind. For an occupational disease, we start by investigating what's needed to assess work-relatedness, such as your work history, job duties, and medical condition. We follow the guidelines of KCOMWEL, so it doesn't make arbitrary findings about the facts of your case, and we help you get work-relatedness recognized by the Occupational Disease Adjudication Committee.

Don't overthink it. Even if you don't have any documents, just give us a call or leave a consultation note. We'll get a sense of your situation and tell you what you need, and there's still time to gather documents after that.

It's a good idea to start with a phone consultation to see whether your workers' comp or unfair dismissal claim is likely to be accepted. If it isn't, we'll think hard about the best realistic alternative and walk you through it. We won't push you to file anything you don't need.

Your first consultation is free. Fees depend on the type and complexity of the case, so we'll need to talk with you first.

Yes. Sobaek Labor Law Office focuses on labor and workers' comp cases.