0+
CLIENTS SERVED

MILLIONS

CAREER SETTLEMENTS & JUDGMENTS
0%
SUCCESS RATE

20+ YEARS

PRACTICING LAW

REPRESENTING PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES WHEN INJURIES OCCUR

Industrial Injuries & Workers Compensation

In California, when you get hurt on the job, you can not file a personal injury claim against your employer. You must go through the workers’ compensation system to secure your right to medical treatment, temporary disability and permanent disability benefits.

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Serious and Willful Claims

Getting hurt at work means your “exclusive” remedy is workers’ compensation. There are exceptions to the rule: S&W claims and other specific laws allowing claims against employers that do not respect employees and violate the rule of law.

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Civil Liability Claims

Third party claims or personal injury claims can emanate from the job site. When individuals or companies, out side of your employer, are negligent and cause injuries, the victims are allowed to make ‘third party’ claims and/or file lawsuits in Superior Courty to recover damages. When people get hurt by the negligence of someone outside of their employer, it is recommended that the injured party be represented by a lawyer knowledgeable in personal injury AND workers’ compensation.

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Catastrophic Injuries & Death Claims

Over the last twenty years I have come into contact with the victims of major injuries and their families. There is never an “easy” way through the medical, disability and life changing nature of these events. My job is to stay focused on the goal, fighting for appropriate benefits and damages under the law, and providing the comfort, support and legal counseling that people deserve.

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WHO I AM

“The highways are crowded with people who drive as if their sole purpose in getting behind the wheel is to avenge every wrong done them by man, beast or fate. The only thing that keeps them in line is their fear of death, jail and lawsuits.”

The power of the civil lawsuit helps keep the playing field level.

— HUNTER S. THOMPSON

OUR HISTORY:

Harmon Firm was created when Judge James Hedrick Harmon retired from the Superior Court in 2003. Jim Harmon, after 4 years with a large “mill” firm took advantage of his father’s mentorship, not to mention the senior Harmon’s prolific research and analytical skills.

IMPERIAL COUNTY COUNSEL CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Supreme Court Case: County of Imperial, California v. Munoz 449 U.S. 54 (1980)

Listen to Supreme Court Arguments CLICK HERE

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU:

→ Industrial Injuries
→ Workers Comp
→ Serious & Willful Claims
→ Catastrophic Claims
→ Wrongful Death
→ Personal Injury

FAQ

  • CAN I SUE MY OWN EMPLOYER?

    No. Workers comp is the exclusive remedy when you get hurt on the job. This means that if your employer is properly insured, you cannot sue them, except in very rare exceptions.

  • CAN I USE MY OWN DOCTOR IN A WORKERS COMPENSATION CASE?

    The current laws require that you see a doctor within the employer’s Medical Provider Network. There are exception to this rule, including predesignating a doctor, before the injury.

  • IF I GET INJURED, BUT THE EMPLOYER SAYS I’M AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR, AM I OUT OF LUCK?

    It depends. A lot of employers pay workers in cash or give them a 1099, in order to avoid workers’ comp insurance payments. But the law presumes an “employment relationship” if they are supervising or controlling your work.

  • I HAVE BEEN INJURED AT WORK OR OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT DO I DO?

    The most important thing to do is get medical treatment. You have a duty to get medical help and document your damages. Whether you make a claim or not, recovering from the injury is the most important thing to do. If you are going to make a claim, you can always consult a lawyer when your condition has stabilized.

  • AFTER A SERIOUS INJURY, IF A GUY COMES TO MY HOSPITAL BED AND TELLS ME I NEEDED A LAWYER, SHOULD I SIGN THE PAPERS?

    No, never sign documents with a non-lawyer or a “runner.” Most of the time those people are getting paid a fee, they are called “Cappers” and that is illegal and unethical. There are situations in which a lawyer needs to go to the hospital or home visit to consult with a potential client. But in that case, the lawyer is present.

NEWS & REVIEWS

Covid 19 Worker's Compensation
May 30, 2020
0 Comments

California Imposes Rebuttable Presumption for Workers’ Compensation for Employees With COVID-19

This means that if you get sick from Corona Virus, the law supports getting workers…

Tags: , ,
July 25, 2019

Case study on why a workers’ comp lawyer was the better option to help settle the case

The workers’ compensation system in California is designed to work without a lawyer.  But inevitably…

Debt Exam
April 30, 2019

Alternative approach to defending against the Debtor’s Exam

Today I had the unfortunate duty of representing a client at a debtor’s exam.  “Unfortunate”…

Back Surgery
January 1, 2011

Fighting for Back Surgery

One of our several “wins” in 2010 was a dispute over spinal surgery. The client…

Legal Advice
December 24, 2010

Compromise and Release – with a Medicare Set Aside Agreement

We just settled a case with a $38,700 MSA.  The employer’s insurance carrier wanted to…

Posted in: Injury, Legal Advice, News
Law Books
December 8, 2010

Getting Paid for Depositions

You’ve been injured at work.  Now comes the insult: the insurance company “requests” that you…

What Our Clients Say
Thank you for the many hears of you supporting me, and representing me and my cases. You have always been there for me now that we have come to our settlement.
Jeannine McGhee
You made a bad situation manageable and made me feel like we were getting the best compensation. I trust your judgement...thanks for all you do and have done.
James Swanson
It is nice to develop a personal relationship with my attorney.
Albert Magos
I trust Jim Harmon wholeheartedly with my legal problems.
Jon Moore
Thank you for the many hears of you supporting me, and representing me and my cases. You have always been there for me now that we have come to our settlement.
Jeannine McGhee
Mr.Harmon has been working on a difficult case for me for a long time.I really respect his judgement and have recommended a number of people to him.He is down to earth and really cares about the people he represents.
Debra D.
The insurance company and the doctor were treating me unfairly. Jim straightened everything out he won two court decisions in my favor against the insurance company. Jim Harmon is a genuine, down to earth, logical, friendly, and extremely articulate attorney and has the ability to explain complex details with simplicity. Jim will battle hard for your rights. He's battled for mine! Jim always responds to my emails within an hour or by days end. I trust Jim he's really a great guy i highly recommend you check him out.
J B.
I cannot even begin to say how grateful I am to Mr. Harmon. He is honest and hardworking. He is always a great source of support to me, his client. This has been an ordeal, not a happy one, but having an intelligent, competent, and compassionate lawyer makes all the difference in the world. Mr. Harmon has continuously been patient and understanding, taking the time to explain what to expect and answer all questions. THANK YOU, MR HARMON! YOU'RE AMAZING. AND I KNOW MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL SOON FIND OUT.
Tin2 R.
I am a local CPA.  When I have client that needs help with a personal injury or workman's comp issue, I send them to James Harmon.  He listens, he is not arrogant like some attorneys I have met, he gives a free consultation. My clients have been very happy with his service.  I never have to worry when I send clients to Jim.
Bruce N.
James Harmon is a true professional that will listen to the facts and educate his clients on the options that they have! He understands the Law and will use it to maximize the personal injury compensation for his clients!! and I think he's a genuine nice guy! I would absolutely Recommend Him!!
Jeff K.
I have watched TV most of my life.  So when it came time to settle with an insurance company or call a lawyer, I was so tempted to accept the insurance company offer.  A friend recommended I at least call James Harmon and see what he could do. After a consultation I was very impressed. There are great lawyers out there and he is one of them.  I had James Harmon handle my case and with less stress he had the insurance company offering me a lot more money. When everything was done it was painless and hiring a professional really helped with my settlement.   Thank you to the Harmon Firm for their help, I only wish I had found them earlier.
David H.
Jim Harmon doesn't come across like any lawyer I've ever met. This guy is as about as down to earth as they come. I think he's the genuine article, rare as it may be: an attorney who really cares about his clients.
Jordan Y.
When it comes to an important personal injury case, you can't rely on a yellow page ad. We recommend Jim Harmon because of his dedication to his clients, accessibility, his knowledge of the law and his ability to win over groups of people. In addition, Jim has been a tremendous resource for our other legal questions, directing us to one of the many experts he knows in other areas of law.
Nancy M.
Awesome! I'm not sure what i would have done without you. I know i would have ended with a lot less money or possibly nothing at all. Words can't truly explain my appreciation. At least not the words in my vocabulary. Thank you for being by my side through this long journey of up's and down's.
Jason B.

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