What You Should Know About Workers’ Compensation Claims for Agricultural Injuries in California

Were You Injured Working a Farm Job in California?

In the heart of California’s Central Valley, agricultural work powers the economy, but it also carries real risk. In Fresno County and surrounding areas, farmworkers face daily hazards from machinery, pesticides, extreme heat, repetitive motion, and physically demanding labor. When injuries happen in the fields, vineyards, or packing plants, workers’ compensation laws are supposed to provide medical care and wage support. But what does that process actually look like in California?

Whether you are harvesting almonds outside Selma or working a packing line near Reedley, here is what you should know about workers’ compensation claims for agricultural injuries in California.

Are Agricultural Workers Covered Under California Workers’ Comp?

Yes. California law requires almost all employers, including farm and ranch owners, to carry workers’ compensation insurance even if they employ just one worker. That includes full-time, part-time, and seasonal agricultural laborers. Whether you are on payroll or paid in cash, your right to medical care and disability benefits applies.

Agricultural workers have historically faced unique challenges in accessing care, but the law is clear: if you are injured while working, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

What Types of Agricultural Injuries Are Covered?

Workers’ comp covers injuries that happen on the job or develop over time due to work conditions. In the agricultural industry, common examples include:

• Heat stroke and heat exhaustion from working long hours in high temperatures
  
• Chemical exposure from pesticides or fertilizers
  
• Injuries from tractors, forklifts, and harvesting equipment
  
• Repetitive stress injuries from pruning, picking, or sorting produce
  
• Slips, trips, and falls in orchards, packing sheds, or irrigation ditches
  
• Back and shoulder injuries from heavy lifting
  

It also covers occupational illnesses that result from long-term exposure to unsafe conditions, though those claims may require more documentation.

What Steps Should You Take After an Agricultural Injury?

Timing matters. After a work injury, you need to:

1. Report the injury to your employer right away. California law gives you 30 days to notify your employer in writing. Waiting too long can lead to the denial of your claim.
   
2. Ask for and complete a DWC-1 Claim Form. Your employer is required to provide this within one working day of learning about the injury.
   
3. Get medical treatment. Your employer may direct you to a doctor within their Medical Provider Network (MPN) if one exists.
   
4. Keep records. Save all documents related to your injury, treatment, work restrictions, and communication with your employer or insurer.
   

Missing deadlines or failing to report the injury can affect your ability to receive benefits.

Can You Choose Your Own Doctor?

In most cases, your employer’s insurance controls where you receive care at least initially. If your employer has an MPN, you may be required to see a doctor within that network. After your first visit, you may be allowed to select a different provider within the MPN, or request a second opinion if needed.

There is one exception: if you had predesignated your personal doctor before the injury occurred and your employer offers health insurance, you may be able to receive treatment from that doctor immediately.

This system is meant to ensure quick access to care, but it can also limit your choice of doctors. If you feel the treatment you are receiving is not appropriate, there are legal avenues to request reviews or changes.

What Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Comp?

California workers’ compensation laws provide several key benefits for injured agricultural workers:

• Medical care: Treatment for your work-related injury at no cost to you
  
• Temporary disability payments: Partial wage replacement if your injury prevents you from working
  
• Permanent disability payments: Compensation for lasting impairments that affect your ability to earn a living
  
• Supplemental job displacement benefits: Vouchers to help pay for retraining or skill development if you cannot return to your previous work
  
• Death benefits: Payments to surviving dependents if the injury results in death
  

Each of these benefits is subject to specific rules and eligibility criteria. In some cases, disputes can arise about the type or amount of benefits you are owed.

What If You Are Paid in Cash or Off the Books?

You may still be covered. The law does not excuse an employer’s failure to carry insurance or follow labor regulations. In fact, employers who fail to provide workers’ comp coverage can face penalties and lawsuits. You do not need to have a formal contract or W-2 to file a claim. Your right to benefits depends on the fact that you were working, not your official job title or how you were paid.

Many Fresno farmworkers are paid in cash or hired through informal arrangements. That does not strip away your right to compensation if injured while working.

What Legal Challenges Do Agricultural Workers Often Face?

Agricultural injury claims can become complicated for several reasons:

• Language barriers in reporting or completing paperwork
  
• Employers who discourage or delay reporting injuries
  
• Doctors who minimize injuries or fail to connect them to work
  
• Denied claims based on lack of documentation or alleged misconduct
  

These issues are particularly common in rural communities where agricultural work is a dominant industry. Fresno County sees a high volume of agricultural injury claims, and having guidance through the process helps avoid mistakes.

Where Are These Claims Processed in Fresno?

Claims are typically filed through the Fresno District Office of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, located off East Shaw Avenue. Hearings, case reviews, and medical evaluations are often scheduled at that location.

Understanding how the local system operates and how long certain stages take can help injured workers and their families stay informed and prepared.

Can We Help You Get Back On Your Feet?

At Tomassian, Pimentel, & Shapazian, we understand what agricultura

l workers face because we live and work in this community. We know the fields, the packing sheds, and the pressure to keep working through pain. We are here to walk you through every step of your workers’ comp claim with clear answers and steady guidance.

Call us at 559-545-0383 to learn what happens next and how we can help you navigate this process. When you work hard for California, you deserve someone who works hard for you.