Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer

Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer is a full service workers’ compensation attorney. The Law Offices of Dr. Pe Schaeffer to help you.

Dealing with an injury is challenging, especially if it is due to the negligence of another party. Call on the Riverside, CA Personal-Injury-Attorneys at Law Offices of Dr. Peter M.

Working outdoors in California heat? A new Cal/OSHA draft released in August 2026 under AB 2243 could expand high-heat p...
09/04/2026

Working outdoors in California heat? A new Cal/OSHA draft released in August 2026 under AB 2243 could expand high-heat protections to ALL outdoor workers: not only workers in agriculture, construction, landscaping, and oil and gas: when temperatures reach 95°F.

If you become ill or injured from workplace heat exposure and your employer failed to follow required safety procedures, that may support a workers’ compensation claim.

Take these steps now:
• Learn your employer’s heat-illness prevention plan.
• Document the temperature, available shade, water, and rest breaks.
• Report symptoms and the work-related injury promptly to your supervisor or HR.
• Seek medical care and explain that the condition occurred at work.
• Keep copies of reports, medical records, and messages about the incident.

Public comments on the draft are due September 21, 2026. The proposal is not final, but injured workers should understand their rights and preserve evidence.

For workers’ compensation guidance, call (951) 275-0111, text (760) 831-1633, or visit pslaw.com.

This post provides general information only and is not legal advice.

If a California workplace injury keeps you from working, you may qualify for temporary disability (TD) benefits while yo...
09/02/2026

If a California workplace injury keeps you from working, you may qualify for temporary disability (TD) benefits while you recover.

TD benefits generally pay about two-thirds of your average weekly wages, subject to California’s minimum and maximum rates. The calculation may depend on your earnings before the injury, including qualifying overtime, tips, bonuses, or other wages.

A waiting period usually applies: the first three days may not be paid unless you are hospitalized overnight or your disability lasts more than 14 days. Benefits typically end when you return to work, your doctor releases you, your condition becomes permanent and stationary, or you reach the applicable time limit. For many injuries, TD may be limited to 104 weeks within a five-year period, though exceptions can apply.

Check your benefit notices and compare payments with your pay stubs, timecards, and other wage records. If the amount seems too low, payments are delayed, or eligibility is questioned, seek prompt guidance.

The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer, Esq. represents injured California workers throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California. Call 951-275-0111 or text 760-831-1633. Visit pslaw.com.

This is general information, not legal advice. Rates, eligibility, and time limits depend on the facts and current law.

If you suffer heat illness while working in California, you may have important workers’ compensation protections.Under A...
08/28/2026

If you suffer heat illness while working in California, you may have important workers’ compensation protections.

Under AB 1336, when an employer fails to follow required heat-illness prevention standards, a heat-related injury may be presumed to have arisen out of employment. Workers’ compensation may provide coverage for necessary medical care and disability benefits.

If you become ill or injured from workplace heat:
• Document the conditions, including temperature, lack of shade, water, or rest breaks.
• Note whether heat-illness training or information was provided in your language.
• Seek medical care promptly.
• Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible.

You should not have to navigate the workers’ compensation system alone. For compassionate guidance, call The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer at 951-275-0111 or visit pslaw.com.

This post provides general information only and is not legal advice.

Cumulative trauma (CT) injuries : repetitive strain, back strain, carpal tunnel from years of doing the same job : are o...
08/24/2026

Cumulative trauma (CT) injuries : repetitive strain, back strain, carpal tunnel from years of doing the same job : are on the rise across California. New data shows CT claims nearly doubled since 2018, and the Inland Empire/Orange County region saw the share jump from 9.9% to 19.8%.

Why it matters to you: these injuries are easy to miss, easy for an employer to blame on "everyday wear and tear," and easy to mishandle without a proper claim. If your job's repetitive motions, heavy lifting, or prolonged standing have left you in pain, you may be entitled to workers' comp benefits : even if the injury built up over time.

At The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer, we help injured California workers navigate the comp system and fight for the maximum benefits they're owed. We're accessible, we respond fast, and your well-being comes first.

📞 Call us today for a free consultation: 951-275-0111
🌐 pslaw.com

Injured at work in California? Workers’ compensation may provide important benefits while you recover, including medical...
08/19/2026

Injured at work in California? Workers’ compensation may provide important benefits while you recover, including medical treatment, temporary disability payments when you cannot work, permanent disability benefits for lasting impairment, and vocational support when you cannot return to your regular job.

Start by reporting your injury to your employer as soon as possible and requesting a workers’ compensation claim form. Keep copies of medical records, work restrictions, claim documents, and communications related to your injury.

The workers’ compensation system can be complex, especially when benefits are delayed, treatment is denied, or your employer or insurance company disputes your claim. Our firm helps injured California employees understand their rights and navigate the claims process.

Learn more at pslaw.com or call 951-275-0111.

This post provides general information only and is not legal advice. Every workers’ compensation case is different.

A key update for California workers with a preexisting condition: SIBTF reform is being considered, but official legisla...
08/16/2026

A key update for California workers with a preexisting condition: SIBTF reform is being considered, but official legislative records show AB 1576 has not been signed into law and is not currently effective.

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund may provide additional workers’ compensation benefits when a prior disability combines with a new work injury and the combined permanent disability reaches at least 70%: if other legal requirements are met.

The proposed reform would require stronger evidence that the prior disability existed before the later injury and affected earnings, work activities, or activities of daily living. It would also change certain disability calculations and medical-legal evaluation procedures. If enacted, these changes could matter especially for newer injuries and claims still in the pipeline.

Do not assume your claim is covered: or excluded: without reviewing the details. Timing, medical evidence, prior records, and permanent disability ratings can be critical.

Our firm helps injured California workers navigate complex workers’ compensation and SIBTF claims. Visit pslaw.com or call 951-275-0111.

General information only( not legal advice.) Every claim is different.

An insurance-company medical examination can feel intimidating: but you still have rights.If you are sent to an Independ...
08/12/2026

An insurance-company medical examination can feel intimidating: but you still have rights.

If you are sent to an Independent Medical Examination (IME) or Qualified Medical Evaluation (QME) after a workplace injury, remember:

• Attend the appointment. Missing it without promptly addressing the issue may affect your claim.
• Bring the appointment notice, identification, and any requested records or information.
• Answer questions honestly and describe your symptoms, limitations, and how your injury affects your work and daily life. Do not exaggerate: or minimize: what you are experiencing.
• Understand that this evaluation is generally for gathering medical information, not providing treatment.
• Keep copies of paperwork and write down what happened after the examination. Contact your attorney promptly if you believe the process was unfair or the report is inaccurate.

Do not face the workers’ compensation system alone. The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer helps injured California workers understand the claims process and protect their rights.

Call 951-275-0111 or visit pslaw.com to speak with our office. This post provides general information and is not legal advice.

Your employer’s safety shortcut should not become your burden.Under California Labor Code §4553, workers’ compensation b...
08/10/2026

Your employer’s safety shortcut should not become your burden.

Under California Labor Code §4553, workers’ compensation benefits may be increased by up to 50% when an employer’s serious and willful misconduct contributes to an employee’s injury. This may apply when an employer knowingly ignores safety rules, removes or fails to maintain required safeguards, or allows a dangerous condition to continue.

But this increase is not automatic. You must prove more than ordinary negligence or a simple workplace mistake. The evidence must show that the employer knew about the safety risk and consciously disregarded it: and that the misconduct contributed to your injury.

If you were injured because your employer put production ahead of safety, you may have the right to seek more than standard workers’ compensation benefits. Don’t face a powerful employer or insurance company alone.

Contact The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer at pslaw.com for a confidential consultation about your California workers’ compensation claim.

Every case depends on its specific facts. This post is for general information only and is not legal advice.

Are you working on wildfire cleanup or rebuilding efforts in California? Whether you are hired directly, through a tempo...
08/07/2026

Are you working on wildfire cleanup or rebuilding efforts in California? Whether you are hired directly, through a temporary agency, or as a subcontractor, your health and safety matter: and California law protects you.

With the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) issuing updated contractor compliance guidance this August 2026, it is more important than ever to know your rights. If you suffer an injury while on the job during cleanup or recovery work, you are legally entitled to workers' compensation benefits, regardless of your employment status. Insurance companies often try to deny coverage to temporary or subcontracted workers, but you don't have to navigate this alone.

At The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer, we specialize in California workers' comp law and fight tirelessly to ensure injured workers receive the maximum medical and financial benefits they deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured during wildfire cleanup, contact us today for compassionate, expert legal support. We guarantee prompt responses and personalized advocacy.

Call us at 951-275-0111 or visit pslaw.com to schedule your consultation.

Has your treating doctor recommended additional workers’ compensation treatment? Ask whether the request is being submit...
08/07/2026

Has your treating doctor recommended additional workers’ compensation treatment? Ask whether the request is being submitted on California’s DWC Form RFA.

Effective April 1, 2026, California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation clarified that the DWC Form RFA is the standard way for a treating physician to request authorization for specific medical treatment.

Why this matters:
• The form should clearly identify the treatment being requested.
• Supporting medical documentation should be included.
• Missing or incomplete information can contribute to delays in the utilization review process.
• A narrative report may be accepted instead only when the claims administrator agrees and the report meets required standards.

Practical steps for injured workers:
1. Ask your doctor’s office how the treatment request was submitted.
2. Keep copies of the RFA and supporting records.
3. Follow up promptly if recommended care is delayed or denied.
4. Consider speaking with a California workers’ compensation attorney about your options.

The workers’ compensation system is complicated, but you do not have to navigate it alone. The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer represents injured California workers throughout the claims process.

This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Call 951-275-0111 or visit pslaw.com.

Address

6820 Indiana Avenue Suite 275
Riverside, CA
92506

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Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 5:30pm

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+19512750111

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