Workers’ compensation attorney · Newport Beach, Orange County

Hurt at work? Get the benefits California owes you.

The case review costs nothing, and there is no upfront cost. Jesse Melendrez represents injured workers at the WCAB district offices in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego.

Free case review Call 949-328-7600
  • 4.9 Google rating from 37 reviews (October 2026)
  • Representing injured workers since 2009
  • State Bar of California #263751
  • Office in Newport Beach, Orange County

The firm at a glance

What we handle

Help with each part of a California workers’ comp claim

Each page explains what the Labor Code provides, how that part of the claim works and where the rules come from.

All benefits
  1. Denied or delayed claimsThe 90-day rule, the denial letter, the QME route and the Application for Adjudication at the WCAB.
  2. Treatment denied by utilization reviewThe UR deadlines in Labor Code 4610, the 30-day IMR window in 4610.5 and what comes after the decision.
  3. Temporary disability and lost wagesTwo-thirds of average weekly earnings, the 2026 DWC rates, the 14-day first check and the 104-week cap.
  4. Permanent disability ratings and paymentsP&S, whole person impairment, the 2005 rating schedule, apportionment and the weekly PD rates from the DIR table.
  5. QME and AME medical evaluationsThe panel request, the strike, the AME option and what the medical-legal report addresses.
  6. SJDB voucher and the Return-to-Work SupplementThe $6,000 voucher for injuries since 2013, what it pays for, when it expires, and the $5,000 state supplement.
  7. Medical treatment, the MPN and changing doctorsWho picks the doctor, how the MPN works, predesignation, second opinions and mileage.

How a claim works

Five steps in a California workers’ comp claim

An overview drawn from the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Every case has its own facts and deadlines.

What to do after a work injury

  1. Report the injury

    Written notice to the employer starts the claim. Labor Code 5400 sets 30 days from the injury for that notice. Once the employer knows, it must give or mail you a claim form within one working day.

    Source: DWC: How to file a claim

  2. File the DWC-1 claim form

    You fill out the employee section, sign and date it, return it to your employer and keep a copy. Within one working day, the employer must authorize medical treatment, up to $10,000 while it decides the claim. In most cases, a claim not denied within 90 days is presumed covered.

    Source: DWC 1 claim form (PDF)

  3. Medical treatment and temporary disability

    Treatment follows the state’s medical treatment guidelines, often through your employer’s medical provider network (MPN). If the injury keeps you from your usual job while you recover, temporary disability payments replace part of the lost wages.

    Source: DWC: If my claim was accepted

  4. The QME and disputes

    When you or the claims administrator disagree with your treating doctor’s report, a qualified medical evaluator (QME) from a state panel examines you. Disputes over a specific treatment request go through utilization review and independent medical review.

    Source: DWC: If my claim was denied

  5. Settlement or trial at the WCAB

    A case ends with Stipulations with Request for Award, a Compromise and Release, or a judge’s decision after trial at the local WCAB district office. A workers’ compensation judge reviews every settlement.

    Source: DWC: How my case is resolved

What clients say

Google reviews

4.9

out of 5

37 reviews on Google

Google Business Profile, read October 8, 2026

Jesse Melendrez is a top notch professional Lawyer, he helped me reach my expectations for my case with guidance and compassion. His team is outstanding!, and extremely attentive. I would highly recommend Jesse to anyone, looking for representation for a work related injury.
Jeanette O. · Google · Invalid Date
Jesse and his team were great through the entire process. Always answered EVERY question or concern I had about the case. Were all so kind and understanding of my situation. Jesse worked to achieve the outcome I was happy with. Highly recommend Jesse Melendez and his team.
Peter U. · Google · Invalid Date
Jesse Melendrez handled my worker’s compensation case with commendable patience, professionalism and expertise. […]
K M · Google · Invalid Date

Reviews reflect individual experiences and are not a guarantee of any result.

Read the reviews on Google All reviews
Jesse Melendrez standing in front of a hedge wall

About Jesse

Jesse Melendrez has represented injured workers since 2009

Jesse grew up in Southern California, studied psychology and political science at Cal State Long Beach and earned his law degree at Rutgers. In workers’ compensation he represents injured workers, not employers or insurance companies.

  1. 01

    Rutgers School of Law, J.D. 2008

    Notes Editor of the Rutgers Journal of Law and Public Policy.

  2. 02

    Licensed in California and Washington

    State Bar of California #263751, admitted June 2, 2009.

  3. 03

    Workers’ compensation since 2009

    Cases at the WCAB district offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego.

About Jesse Melendrez

Where we work

Injured workers across Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego

Each city page lists its WCAB district office, with the address the DWC publishes.

All areas
  1. Newport BeachOrange CountyWCAB: Anaheim district office
  2. Santa AnaOrange CountyWCAB: Santa Ana district office
  3. AnaheimOrange CountyWCAB: Anaheim district office
  4. IrvineOrange CountyWCAB: Santa Ana district office
  5. Costa MesaOrange CountyWCAB: Santa Ana district office
  6. Huntington BeachOrange CountyWCAB: Santa Ana district office
  7. Los AngelesLos Angeles CountyWCAB: Los Angeles district office
  8. RiversideRiverside CountyWCAB: Riverside district office
  9. San DiegoSan Diego CountyWCAB: San Diego district office

Guides

Plain answers about California workers’ comp

All articles

Do repetitive strain and cumulative trauma injuries qualify for workers’ comp in California?

How California law defines a cumulative trauma injury, how the date of injury is set when there was no single accident, and the deadlines and rating rules that follow.

Read the article

Can I be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim in California?

Labor Code 132a bars firing or discriminating against a worker because of a comp claim. A 132a petition at the WCAB has a one-year limit, and civil employment claims are heard elsewhere.

Read the article

Tell us what happened. We will tell you what your claim is worth pursuing.

Send the short form or call. The case review costs nothing, and there is no upfront cost.

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949-328-7600

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