Can an employer get away from paying for an injured worker after filing bankruptcy?

I believe there is a State fund set up for such situations; check with your local or the San Francisco head Office to see if it still exists and whether it has any money in it, how to apply, etc. Assuming the business you worked for was an LLC, the owner is only liable up to the amount he put in; if he has filed for the business for bankruptcy, he has to list you as a creditor and state what money it still has.