Chester Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

A workplace accident can leave you unable to work, facing unexpected medical bills, and uncertain about your future. Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system provides important protections for injured workers, but managing the claims process while trying to recover can be challenging. Our experienced Chester workers’ compensation lawyers have helped workers in Chester, PA secure their benefits after workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and work-related injuries across all industries. We can guide you through each step in the process, from filing your initial claim to appealing denials if necessary, ensuring your rights are protected.

Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation about your work injury case. Our Chester personal injury attorneys are ready to help you understand your rights and fight for the benefits you deserve.

What Is Workers’ Compensation in Chester, PA?

Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that protects Pennsylvania employees who get hurt or sick while performing their job duties. Under Pennsylvania law, most employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees’ medical care and lost wages after workplace accidents or illnesses. This system operates on a no-fault basis, meaning you can receive benefits regardless of what or who caused the injury – whether it was your own mistake, a coworker’s error, or workplace conditions. Through workers’ comp, you can get the financial compensation you need for your medical bills and lost wages without having to file a lawsuit against your employer. Work-related injuries and illnesses are covered as long as they were sustained during the course and scope of your job.

Who is covered by workers’ compensation?

Most workers in Chester and throughout Pennsylvania are covered by workers’ compensation from their first day on the job. This includes full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees across nearly all industries. However, there are some exceptions. Independent contractors, some domestic workers, and certain agricultural workers may not always be covered. Federal employees working in Chester follow a different system under federal workers’ compensation laws.

Some workers face unique situations that affect their coverage. For example, police and firefighters are covered by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act as well as the Heart and Lung Act. If you’re unsure about your coverage status, the workers’ compensation attorneys at Munley Law can review your work injury situation and explain your rights to benefits.

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Common Chester Workplace Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation

From the Boeing defense plant to Kimberly-Clark’s paper mill, from Crozer-Chester Medical Center to the many warehouses along the Delaware River, workplace accidents can happen in any setting. Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system covers many job-related health issues, from sudden accidents to long-term occupational diseases.

Accidental Injuries

Workplace accidents can happen in just about any industry. Some of the most common occupational injuries include:

• Slips, trips, and falls – Often caused by wet floors, uneven surfaces, or cluttered workspaces.
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) – Resulting from repetitive motions, such as typing or assembly line work.
• Back and lifting injuries – Caused by improper lifting techniques or handling heavy objects.
• Falls from heights – Common in construction and warehouse settings, involving ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops.
• Machinery-related injuries – Including crush injuries, amputations, or entanglements in industrial equipment.
• Vehicle-related accidents – Occurring in jobs that involve driving forklifts, trucks, or other heavy equipment.

Occupational Illnesses

Chester workers are also eligible to seek workers’ compensation for occupational illnesses developed due to toxic or strenuous working conditions.

• Occupational lung diseases – Caused by exposure to dust, chemicals, or fumes (e.g., asbestosis, silicosis, COPD).
• Hearing loss – Resulting from prolonged exposure to loud machinery or environments.
• Toxic exposure illnesses – Including lead poisoning, radiation sickness, or pesticide-related conditions.
• Heat-related illnesses – Including heat exhaustion and heat stroke from working in extreme temperatures.

While most work injuries must be reported quickly in order for your workers’ compensation claim to be valid, there are some exceptions for illnesses that develop slowly over time. A workers’ compensation lawyer at Munley Law can evaluate your situation and help you understand your rights.

Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions

Having a previous injury or medical condition doesn’t disqualify you from workers’ compensation benefits. If your job makes an existing condition worse, you may be eligible for benefits. For example, if you had a prior back injury that wasn’t causing problems, but working on the manufacturing line at Boeing aggravates it, workers’ compensation should cover your treatment. The key is showing that your work activities contributed to worsening your condition.

Call Munley Law for a free evaluation of your workplace injury case. Our Chester workers’ compensation lawyers understand the unique risks faced by injured workers and know how to document these different types of injuries to build strong claims for benefits.

Benefits You Can Receive Under Workers’ Comp in Chester, PA

Workers’ compensation in Chester provides several types of benefits to help injured workers recover and maintain financial stability after a workplace injury.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment for your work injury. This includes emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and medical devices.

Your employer should provide you with a list of doctors to choose from to seek treatment for your work injury. You must see a doctor from this list for the first 90 days of treatment, bur you can choose your own doctor after 90 days have passed. If your employer does not provide a list of doctors, you may treat with any doctor of your choice.

Wage Loss Benefits

If you can’t work because of your injury, workers’ compensation provides wage loss benefits to replace a portion of your lost income. These benefits equal two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount set by state law.

If you are unable to perform your regular job duties, your employer may offer you a modified or “light duty” position temporarily. If the light duty position pays less than your regular wage, workers’ compensation pays the difference.

Specific Loss Benefits

If your work injury resulted in the loss of a body part or body function, you may be eligible for specific loss benefits. Specific loss benefits provide payments of two-thirds your average weekly wage for a set number of weeks, depending on the type and severity of injury. For example, for the loss of a hand, you would receive payments for 335 weeks.

Death Benefits for Families

When a workplace accident results in death, surviving family members may receive death benefits. These benefits help cover funeral expenses and provide ongoing financial support. Eligible dependents typically include:

• Surviving spouse
• Children under 18 (or older if disabled or in school)
• Other dependents who relied on the worker’s income

The amount of death benefits is based on the deceased worker’s wages and the number of dependents. Families can receive up to two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, plus up to $3,000 for funeral expenses.

Third-Party Claims

While workers’ compensation limits your ability to sue your employer, you may have a separate claim against other parties who contributed to your injury. These “third-party claims” can provide additional compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits. For example:

At Chester’s waterfront facilities, if you’re injured by defective equipment made by an outside manufacturer, you may have a claim against that company. Or if you’re hurt in a car accident while making deliveries, you could file a claim against the other driver. At construction sites, subcontractors’ negligence often leads to injuries of other companies’ workers.

Third-party claims can help you recover:

• All lost wages (not just two-thirds)
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of life’s pleasures
• Future medical expenses
• Other damages not covered by workers’ compensation

A workers’ compensation lawyer can determine if you are eligible to pursue a third-party claim in addition to your workers’ comp benefits. At Munley Law, we investigate every workplace accident for possible third-party liability to maximize your total compensation.

What to Do If You’re Injured at Work in Chester

After a workplace injury, the steps you take can affect your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Here’s what you need to do to protect your rights and strengthen your claim:

Report the Injury to Your Employer Immediately

Tell your supervisor about your injury as soon as it happens, even if it seems minor at first. Under Pennsylvania law, you must report your injury within 120 days, but waiting can hurt your claim. Be specific about how the injury occurred and what body parts are affected. For example, if you hurt your back while loading cargo at Penn Terminal, tell your supervisor exactly what you were doing when the injury happened.

Seek Medical Attention and Document Everything

Get medical care right away – don’t try to work through the pain. If your employer has a list of approved healthcare providers, you must choose from that list for your first 90 days of treatment. Keep all medical records, prescriptions, and receipts. Take photos of visible injuries and write down the names of any witnesses.

File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

Your employer should file a First Report of Injury with their insurance company after you report your injury. However, you can also file a claim petition directly with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation if your employer doesn’t act or if your claim is denied. You have three years from the date of injury to file, but earlier is better.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied

Insurance companies often deny valid workers’ compensation claims, but you have the right to appeal. Common reasons for denial include:

• Claiming the injury didn’t happen at work
• Disputing the severity of your injury
• Arguing about pre-existing conditions
• Missing deadlines

If your claim is denied, you can file an appeal and request a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge. At Munley Law, we handle the entire appeals process, from gathering medical evidence to presenting your case at hearings. We know what it takes to overturn claim denials and get Chester workers the benefits they deserve.

Don’t face the workers’ compensation system alone. Contact Munley Law for a free consultation. Our Chester workers’ compensation attorneys will protect your rights and fight for maximum benefits while you focus on recovery.

Why Choose Munley Law as Your Chester Workers’ Comp Attorney?

When you’re hurt at work in Chester, you need more than just general workers’ compensation advice. You need an attorney who knows the local industries, medical facilities, and workers’ compensation judges. Munley Law has spent decades building relationships throughout Delaware County and understanding the unique challenges faced by Chester’s workforce.

Our workers’ compensation attorneys have successfully secured benefits for people in Delaware County and throughout Pennsylvania for decades. We have earned the highest peer-review and customer satisfaction ratings in our industry, and have been named among the Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for more than a decade.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at Munley Law for a Free Consultation

Don’t let a workplace injury derail your future. Your rights to workers’ compensation benefits are protected by law, but getting those benefits often requires experienced legal help. Call Munley Law today for a free consultation about your Chester workplace injury case. We’ll explain your rights, evaluate your claim, and fight for every benefit you deserve.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747