Business Details
45 Years
experience
Trusted Legal Advocates for Workers' Rights in Bakersfield
The Joseph Pluta Attorney At Law has championed workers' rights and legal advocacy in Bakersfield since 1981. With over 57 years of combined experience, our firm has successfully represented more than 6,000 clients in workers' compensation, personal injury, and disability cases. Our practice is built on a foundation of proactive legal support, compassionate client representation, and a proven track record of securing multi-million-dollar settlements. We specialize in navigating complex legal systems to ensure clients receive fair compensation for workplace injuries, medical malpractice, industrial accidents, and wrongful death claims.Our team of certified specialists and bilingual professionals provides personalized attention while maintaining the highest standards of ethical practice. By combining decades of industry expertise with a client-first approach, we deliver authoritative legal solutions tailored to each case's unique circumstances.
Services
Workers Compensation
Personal Injury
Medical Malpractice
Industrial Accidents
Social Security Disability
Wrongful Death Claims
Farm Accidents
Auto Accidents
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- 57+ years of legal practice specializing in workers' compensation
- 6000+ clients successfully represented across multiple industries
- Contingency fee basis - no payment unless we win your case
- Bilingual legal support for Spanish-speaking clients
- Proven track record with $100M+ industrial accident settlements
Associations and certifications
- Workers Compensation law
What people say
Compassionate professionals
Dedicated to my case
Exceeded expectations
Fight for clients' rights
Proven track record
Services
Workers Compensation
Specialized legal representation for workplace injuries and occupational diseases. Our attorneys navigate California's complex workers' compensation system to secure medical treatment coverage, disability benefits, and vocational rehabilitation. We handle cases involving industrial accidents, repetitive trauma injuries, and occupational illnesses across construction, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. With decades of experience, we ensure clients receive full benefits while protecting their rights against employer and insurance company tactics.
Personal Injury
Comprehensive legal support for injury victims from auto accidents, slip-and-falls, and other negligence cases. Our team pursues compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through insurance negotiations or courtroom litigation. We handle complex cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and wrongful death claims. Our proven track record includes multi-million dollar verdicts against major insurance carriers.
Medical Malpractice
Aggressive advocacy for victims of medical errors, misdiagnoses, and substandard care. We investigate hospital negligence, surgical errors, and birth injuries to hold healthcare providers accountable. Our attorneys work with medical experts to prove liability in cases involving delayed cancer diagnoses, medication errors, and surgical complications. We pursue compensation for additional medical treatment, long-term care, and emotional distress caused by medical professionals' failures.
Industrial Accidents
Legal representation for catastrophic injuries in high-risk industries including oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing. We handle cases involving equipment malfunctions, chemical exposures, and OSHA violations to secure workers' compensation benefits and third-party liability claims. Our firm has recovered $100M+ in settlements for clients suffering burns, amputations, and respiratory damage from industrial accidents while holding negligent employers accountable.
Social Security Disability
Guidance through the complex SSDI application process for individuals with permanent disabilities preventing gainful employment. We represent clients with chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, and physical impairments at initial applications and appeals. Our attorneys ensure proper documentation of medical evidence and work history to maximize benefit approvals while addressing insurance company denials and government audits.
People
Joseph Pluta
Principal Attorney
Joseph Pluta founded the firm in 1981 after graduating from University of San Diego School of Law. A certified workers' compensation specialist, he revolutionized Bakersfield's legal landscape through landmark cases expanding injured workers' rights. With 40+ years of trial experience, he specializes in complex workers' comp litigation and has represented clients before California's Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
Joe Pluta
Associate Attorney
Joe Pluta joined the firm in 2013 after earning his Juris Doctor from UC Hastings College of the Law. He focuses on personal injury and disability claims while expanding the firm's Spanish-language services. His legal experience includes international human rights work in Nicaragua and representing clients in multi-million dollar settlement negotiations.
Questions
What should I do immediately after a workplace injury?
Report the injury to your employer within 30 days, seek medical treatment, and contact our attorneys before filing claims to protect your rights.
How are workers' compensation attorneys paid?
We work on contingency fees - 15% of recovered benefits set by judges, with no upfront costs unless we win your case.
Can I sue my employer for a work injury?
Workers' compensation typically prevents lawsuits against employers, but third-party claims may apply for equipment failures or intentional harm.
What benefits can I receive for permanent disability?
Eligible benefits include medical treatment coverage, wage replacement (2/3 salary), vocational rehabilitation, and potential Social Security Disability coordination.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Report injuries within 30 days and file formal claims within 1 year from injury date or last benefit payment for ongoing cases.
