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.

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.

Recent physician reimbursement cuts under California workers' compensation, effective July 1, 2026, are creating serious...
08/03/2026

Recent physician reimbursement cuts under California workers' compensation, effective July 1, 2026, are creating serious hurdles for injured employees. When doctor pay is reduced, many qualified medical providers hesitate to take on workers' comp cases, leading to delayed appointments, rushed evaluations, and restricted access to the specialized care you need to recover. Navigating the workers' comp system while dealing with an injury is already overwhelming. These recent reimbursement changes make having a dedicated legal advocate more crucial than ever. Insurance carriers and employers will always look out for their bottom line: you need someone looking out for your health and your rights. At The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer, we hold the system accountable so your medical treatment isn't compromised. If you've been injured on the job in California and are facing delays or roadblocks in your medical care, do not wait. Call us today at 951-275-0111 or visit www.pslaw.com for a free consultation. Let us fight for the benefits and medical care you deserve.

Facing a Qualified Medical Evaluator exam in your California workers' compensation case can feel intimidating, especiall...
07/31/2026

Facing a Qualified Medical Evaluator exam in your California workers' compensation case can feel intimidating, especially when the insurance company is involved. The insurance carrier often tries to use these evaluations to minimize your injuries or cut off your benefits early. Knowing what to expect is your best defense. A QME is an independent doctor tasked with resolving disputes about your medical treatment, work status, or permanent disability. To protect your rights, always be honest and consistent about your symptoms, describe how your injury impacts your daily life and job duties, and never exaggerate or downplay your pain. Most importantly, you do not have to go through this alone. Having an experienced workers' compensation attorney by your side ensures you are fully prepared, your medical records are complete, and your rights are aggressively defended against insurance carrier tactics. Call The Law Offices of Dr. Peter M. Schaeffer at 951-275-0111 or text 760-831-1633 for a free consultation. We are here to protect you every step of the way.

Address

6820 Indiana Avenue Suite 275
Riverside, CA
92506

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+19512750111

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