What Type of Workforce Exists in Easton?
A central player in the American Industrial Revolution, Easton has always been a key figure in the life and commerce of the Lehigh Valley. You can still witness Easton's historical canals that connected the area's vibrant coal, steel, and iron industries. Easton's commercial history is undeniable and today, Easton still boasts a vital and adaptable workforce.
If you have been hurt at work in Easton or have an injury aggravated by working conditions, you might have many questions about workers' compensation benefits and workers' compensation law in PA. You should know that you have a right to collect workers' compensation benefits to cover your medical bills and lost wages for work missed while you recover from your work-related injury or illness.
Our Easton workers' compensation lawyers have more than six decades of experience navigating workplace injuries including healthcare worker accidents, warehouse worker accidents, and construction accidents — all major Easton job sectors. Our workers' comp attorneys have been fighting for the rights of all PA employees for over 60 years. We will answer your questions and help you get the maximum benefits you deserve.
Call the Munley Law Lehigh Valley offices today or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. We can advise you on what next steps to take.
I Have Been Hurt at My Job in Easton. What Should I Do Now?
Report your injury or illness to your employer as soon as possible.
If your injury is severe, seek medical attention first. Follow up with your employer as soon as you are able. Per the PA Department of Labor & Industry, employees should report all injuries to their employer immediately. You should provide an injury report in writing, such as by email, and give details on the place, date, and time the accident occurred.
If you report an existing condition aggravated by working conditions or an occupational illness or disease, notify your employer as soon as you receive your official diagnosis from a licensed medical professional.
PA state law stipulates an injured worker give notice within 21 days of the date of the injury in order to receive retroactive benefits unless the employer already has knowledge of the injury.
Notice given more than 120 days from the date of injury may result in the loss of workers' compensation unless the employer already has knowledge of the injury.
How Do I File a Workers Compensation Claim?
Fill out your claim forms
Once you report your injury or illness to your employer, your employer will provide you with your claim form which is to be filled out and returned to your employer.
This form will request all the details of the injury or illness, so be sure to document everything along the way.
Your employer should also provide you with a “report of injury” form, which will be submitted to the Pennsylvania State Workers Compensation Board.
Your employer reports your injury or illness to PA and files your claim
Your employer will send the claim form to your workers' compensation insurance carrier, and your doctor will submit an additional medical report.
The insurance company will approve or deny the claim
Once your claim is filed, it is up to the workers' compensation insurance company to approve or deny your benefits.
If your claim is approved by the insurance company:
If your claim is approved, the insurance company will inform your employer and contact you with benefit details. You and your Easton workers comp lawyer can now:
- Accept the employer's workers comp insurance company's benefits offer, which may cover the costs of medical expenses, disability benefits, and some of your lost wages, or you can
- Negotiate for a lump-sum settlement or a larger “structured” settlement
If your claim is denied by the insurance company:
If your employer's insurer denies your payments, you and your attorney can now either
- Request a review for the insurance company to reconsider its decision or
- File a formal appeal through the Pennsylvania state workers' compensation board
Do I Need to Hire an Easton Workers' Comp Attorney?
Your workers' comp case starts the second you report your injury or illness to your employer. Pennsylvania has strict guidelines and deadlines for filing your paperwork and reports. Your claim may be denied if the paperwork is not filled out properly.
Your Easton workers' compensation attorney will make sure your forms are filled out completely and correctly; keep all of your claim deadlines; record, report, and process the medical evidence necessary to support your claim; help you find independent medical experts who can testify about your condition; help you determine the actual value of your worker's compensation case; establish liability, including that of any third parties involved; advise you of your legal options; and help with potential settlement offers.
Munley Law has built a national reputation as a leader in personal injury law. Our attorneys are regularly asked to share their experience and wisdom at conferences throughout the U.S. Munley lawyers have served in leadership positions in prestigious legal organizations such as the American Association of Justice, the Litigation Counsel of America, the International Society of Barristers, and the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
We are routinely recognized by our peers and legal publications for our work in personal injury litigation, including Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, LawDragon, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Partner James Christopher Munley was named “Workers' Compensation Lawyer of the Year” in the Allentown Metro Area by the legal guide Best Lawyers.
Call us today for a free case evaluation of your worker's compensation claim.
You want an experienced workers' compensation attorney from Munley Law when:
- You have been injured at work, and you need to file an initial claim for workers' compensation
- You want to know how much you are entitled to
- Your workman's comp claim has been denied by your employer's insurance company
- Your medical benefits, including your prescription benefits, have been denied
- Your wage loss benefits have been denied
- You want to know about negotiating a settlement offer
- You want to talk about the option of receiving your compensation benefits in one lump payment
What is the Workers' Compensation Program?
The PA Workers' Compensation Act was installed in 1915 to protect Pennsylvania workers. Worker's compensation is a state-mandated insurance program to help anyone suffering a work-related injury or illness cover lost wages and required medical treatment for work-related injuries and disease.
Workers' compensation coverage is mandatory for most employers under Pennsylvania law. Employers who do not have workers' compensation coverage may be subject to lawsuits by employees and criminal prosecution by the Commonwealth of PA.
Employers can obtain workers' comp insurance through the State Workers' Insurance Fund or purchase insurance through a licensed insurance carrier.
What Are My Rights If I'm Injured at Work in Easton?
Workers' compensation insurance is provided by and paid for by the employer, and all workers in PA have the right to collect workers comp benefits if they have become injured at work, aggravated an existing condition, or have become ill from workplace conditions.
Workers' comp coverage begins on the employee's first day on the job. Injuries or diseases caused or aggravated by employment are covered under workers' compensation, regardless of the worker's previous physical condition.
You are entitled to workers' compensation benefits regardless of your status as a full-time or part-time employee.
If you are suffering a work-related injury or illness, call the experienced worker's compensation lawyers at Munley today to learn more about your rights as an employee.
Do All Easton Workers' Compensation Cases End in a Settlement?
Many workers' comp claims can be negotiated in settlement with the insurance company. Settlement agreements are a compromise between the injured worker and the employer's insurance company.
Settlements usually mean getting your money faster, at lower risk and can be paid in one lump sum settlement payment.
Can I Trust a Doctor Provided By My Employer?
Your treating medical professional's report about your injury or illness is absolutely crucial to your worker's comp claim.
According to the Pennsylvania State Department of Labor and Industry, “you are free to choose your own health care provider to treat your work injury unless the employer accepts your claim and has posted in your workplace a list of six or more physicians or health care providers. If your employer provides this list, also called a panel, you are required to visit a provider on the list for initial treatment. You are to continue treatment with that provider or another on the list for a period of 90 days following the first visit.”
You may see any provider on the provided list. Your employer cannot compel you to choose a particular doctor from this list.
If your employer's listed medical provider prescribes surgery, you are entitled to seek a second opinion to be paid for by your employer/their worker's compensation insurance company.
Once you begin receiving your worker's comp benefits, your employer or their insurer has the right to ask you to see a doctor of their choice for examination. If you refuse, the employer is entitled to request an order from the worker's compensation judge that will require you to attend an examination with their chosen provider. Failure to then attend may result in a suspension of your benefits.
Are All Employees Covered By Workers' Compensation?
Pennsylvania law requires that all employers purchase workers comp insurance coverage. All employees in PA have the right to collect workers' compensation benefits if they are injured during the course of their regular work functions or if they have become ill as a result of regular workplace duties.
Full-time, part-time, seasonal, and undocumented workers all have the legal right to workers' comp benefits.
There are only a few exceptions:
Traditional workers' compensation insurance may not cover business owners, volunteers, or independent contractors. Also, some employee categories generally have special workers' compensation insurance, such as federal employees, railroad employees, and longshoremen.
Does Workers' Compensation Cover Only My Medical Bills?
The Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act mandates these three primary types of benefits:
Medical
Medical coverage includes any medical costs relating to your injury. These claims are not limited to a specific dollar amount and should cover all co-pays and deductibles. Medical coverage includes doctor visits, medical tests, emergency room visits, prescription medicine and medical equipment such as walkers, canes, braces, etc. and ongoing physical therapy.
Lost Wages
If you are unable to work after an accident, you will receive a percentage of your wages, known as disability benefits. There are temporary and permanent benefits, depending on how long your occupational injury or illness prevents you from returning to work.
“Specific Loss”
You may be eligible for “specific loss” payments if your work injury resulted in permanent scarring or disfigurement, impaired use of a body part, or loss of a limb.
You may collect specific loss payments even if you do not miss any work as a result of your injury. You only need to be able to demonstrate that your injury happened during the course of your regular job duties.
Your experienced attorney in workers' compensation law can answer any questions you have about specific loss or any other benefits.
Death Benefits
A fourth category of benefits is known as “death benefits” and are paid to the family of a worker who dies as a result of their workplace injury or disease.
If you have lost a loved one to a workplace injury or disease, you may be eligible to receive death benefits. As your Easton workers comp lawyer for a free case evaluation if you have lost a loved one to an accident or illness resulting from their regular work functions.
How Much Does Workers' Compensation Pay?
Workers' compensation pays for medical bills and wage loss according to separate standards together which make up your total workers' compensation benefits package.
Wage Loss Benefits
Compensation for lost wages is based on your average weekly pay rate, regardless of your status as full or part-time.
As of now, the PA weekly compensation rate for lost wage benefits amounts to 66 percent of your weekly wage if you earned between $810.76 and $1,621.50 prior to your injury or illness leading to your inability to perform your job duties.
For workers who earn between $600.56 and $810.75, the weekly benefits compensation rate is $540.50.
For Pennsylvania workers who earned $600.55 or less weekly before the injury or illness, the weekly rate is 90% of the employer's average weekly wage.
Medical Benefits
Your workers' compensation benefits can vary based on a variety of factors. Ask your Munley Law workers comp attorney if you have questions about how much your claim is worth.
How Much Will an Easton Workers Comp Lawyer Cost?
Your consultation is always free and there are zero out-of-pocket expenses to hire a workers comp lawyer at Munley Law. We will not charge you anything until your fair and just workers comp insurance benefits are received.
We are here to help.
Contact us now for a FREE case evaluation for your Easton workman's compensation case. Call, email, or chat online. A work accident injury team member will get back to you immediately.
