If you are injured at work in Bethlehem, PA, you can receive help with your medical expenses and lost wages through Pennsylvania workers’ compensation insurance. However, navigating the claims process and meeting all filing requirements can be challenging, especially while you are recovering from an injury.
The experienced Bethlehem workers’ compensation attorneys at Munley Law can help you file your paperwork, answer your questions, and fight to ensure you receive the workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to.
Call us today at our Lehigh Valley offices or complete our online form for your free case evaluation.
What is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Workers’ compensation insurance is a state-mandated insurance program (also known as workman’s comp or workers’ comp) that provides workers with financial relief for job-related injuries and illnesses. Most employees in PA are covered by workers’ compensation regardless of their status as part-time or full-time and regardless of their immigration status. Workers’ compensation insurance was mandated in 1914 by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act to protect workers and employers.
You are entitled to collect workers’ compensation for medical expenses and lost wages when you suffer a work-related injury or aggravate an existing medical condition while on the job or if you develop a work-related occupational disease.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 How Do I File a Claim for Worker’s Compensation Benefits?
To file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, start by seeking medical attention for your injury or occupational disease and notifying your employer (preferably in writing), who will provide you with the necessary forms to complete and return. Your employer will report your injury or disease to the state and file your claim with their workers’ compensation insurance company, which will either approve or deny it.
If your claim is approved, your attorney will fight to make sure you are receiving your maximum benefits and will negotiate a settlement, if appropriate. In the event of an initial denial, your attorney will file your request for review and will be prepared to go to trial, if necessary.
How Long Do I Have to File My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Under 77 P.S. Workers’ Compensation § 602, the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania for filing your workers’ comp claim is three years from the date of your work-related injury or diagnosis of your work-related injury or illness. If you miss this deadline, you may not be able to recover compensation.
Can My Employer Fire Me for Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in PA?
No, your employer cannot fire you for filing a workers’ comp claim in PA. It is against PA state law to retaliate against an injured worker for filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits for work-related injuries or occupational disease. This is one of our most frequently asked questions. Injured workers have a right under the law, mandated by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, to collect workers’ comp insurance for their workplace injuries.
If you have questions about your rights under the law, call the workers’ compensation attorneys at Munley Law today. Let us review your claim for free. Chat live, fill out our contact form, or call today. We do not collect a fee for our services unless we succeed in recovering your benefits.
“Honoring those who came before us, Munley Law proudly continues our family tradition of innovation, caring, and integrity.”
Caroline Munley
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover all Employees?
Yes, as a general rule, workers’ compensation covers all employees, although there are a few exceptions. Pennsylvania state law requires that all employers purchase workers’ comp insurance coverage, and every employee, including full and part-time, seasonal, and temp has the right to collect worker’s compensation benefits if they are injured in a work-related accident.
There are a few exceptions. However, traditional workers’ compensation insurance may not cover business owners, volunteers, or independent contractors, and some employees, such as federal employees or those who work for the railroad, generally have specialized workers’ compensation insurance.
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Long-Term Conditions and Illnesses?
Workers’ compensation may cover long-term conditions and illnesses if you can prove your condition or illness grew worse as a result of a work-related incident or your regular duties. Coverage for all employees affected by the acts begins on their first day of employment, and your workers’ compensation benefits begin the day after the state receives your completed workers’ compensation claim application, provided the forms are completed correctly.
If your injury or disease is found compensable, you are entitled to receive approximately two-thirds of your salary. As an employee, you can collect workers’ comp benefits until you return to your full, pre-injury employment, you complete your medical recovery and have no work restrictions, or are medically allowed and able to perform other employment that is made available if it incurs no loss in earnings compared to your pre-injury employment.
What Will My Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover?
Your workers’ compensation insurance will cover medical expenses and loss of earnings. In some cases, if the Bethlehem worker dies in an accident, they may receive workers’ compensation death benefits. If you suffer from a work-related injury, your employer or its insurance company must pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the injury.
Medical coverage includes:
- Services rendered by physicians or other health care providers
- Reasonable surgical and medical services needed
- Hospital treatment, services, and supplies
- Orthopedic supplies such as braces, walkers, wheelchairs
- Prescription medicine, prescription appliances, and supplies
- Physical therapy
What is a Third Party Claim?
A third party claim in Bethlehem, PA, is a claim you can file when the actions of another party caused your workplace injury. A common example is getting into a car accident. If you are, say, a delivery driver, and a drunk driver hits you while you’re driving to deliver food to a customer, and you suffer from a concussion you can claim workers compensation benefits since you were working at the time of the accident, and you can file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver.
Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim if I Have a Pre-Existing Condition?
You can file a workers’ comp claim if you have a pre-existing condition, provided you can demonstrate that your pre-existing problem was aggravated or its progression has been accelerated as a result of a workplace accident or as a result of regular job duties. The Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act applies to all work-related injuries or illnesses. Report your condition to your employer as soon as you receive your diagnosis from your medical provider.
Do All Workers’ Compensation Cases End in a Settlement?
Not all workers’ compensation cases end in a settlement. However, many workers’ comp claims end with an equitable settlement agreed upon by all parties involved. As an employee in the state of Pennsylvania, you have options regarding workers’ compensation settlements. Your Munley Law workers’ compensation attorney can offer legal advice and strategies,s so you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your occupational injury or disease.
What Types of Workers’ Compensation Settlements Can I Receive?
There are two types of settlement you can receive through negotiation with your employer’s insurance company: a lump sum settlement or a structured settlement.
A lump sum settlement, or a compromise and release agreement, is when an employee settles a workers’ comp claim by giving up all rights to the workers’ compensation benefits in exchange for a single larger sum of money.
A structured settlement is when you negotiate to receive your money in a structured payout over time, either monthly, yearly, or every few years.
Lump sum settlements are a good option for the employee if you have reached your maximum medical improvement, while a structured settlement may be the best option for you if you are concerned about any tax implications of a lump sum settlement or if you’d rather stretch the payments over time to cover future expenses.
How Much Will My Munley Law Bethlehem Workers’ Compensation Attorney Cost?
When you have been hurt at work, you might be overwhelmed and scared by what lies ahead. Not only are you recovering from an injury or possibly a serious illness, but you have medical expenses, doctor visits, you are missing work, and you are struggling with how to cope with lost wages.
Munley Law workers’ compensation attorneys are a Pennsylvania family helping injured Pennsylvania workers. We have more than 60 years of experience fighting for the rights of workers in Bethlehem and throughout the Lehigh Valley. We can help you navigate through this difficult time.
A consultation with the best Bethlehem workman’s compensation attorney is free. Munley Law works on a contingency basis. We don’t get paid until we win your case.
We have the legal expertise, negotiating experience, and decades of trial know-how to help you succeed with your workers’ comp case. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.
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Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley is a board-certified workers’ compensation specialist. Since 2018, she’s been listed in Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Plaintiffs; Workers’ Compensation Claimants, Northeastern PA), Lawdragon, and has been a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2022. A member of the International Society of Barristers, Caroline has won millions of dollars for car accident, commercial truck crash, and workplace injury victims.
