What is a Claim?
A claim is a legal action concerning physical or mental harm suffered by the plaintiff due to the defendant’s negligence. In the case of insurance claims, it is a request made by the insured to the insurance company for coverage and compensation for damage or injury. A claim is sometimes also referred to as a Cause of Action.
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute defines a claim as, “a set of operative facts creating a right enforceable in court.” Making a claim is how the process of a plaintiff filing a lawsuit and eventually receiving damages from a defendant begins. A claim must be present in order for a lawsuit to go forward. If one is not present in a specific instance, then that lawsuit will be dismissed. Examples of types of claims include claims to insurance companies, personal injury claims in cases of negligence, claims on breaches of contract, property claims, and employment claims such as unpaid wages, wrongful termination, or discrimination. A defendant may make a counterclaim against the claim of a plaintiff.
Claims can sometimes be dismissed even if there is an intent to file a lawsuit. Rulings in cases such as Ashcroft v. IQBAL and Bell Atlantic v. Twombly have determined that claims need to contain important information. They must be plausible on their own and establish a likelihood of liability. This is how claims can lead to fair compensation, resolution of disputes, and protection of rights.
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What is an Impairment Rating Evaluation?
If you or your loved one have been injured at work and are seeking workers’ compensation, you may be required to undergo an impairment rating evaluation to determine the extent of whole-body impairment caused by the workplace injury.
When an employer or insurance company requests an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE), it is to evaluate the total or partial disability of the injured worker so as to ensure the appropriate amount of disability pay is provided. Currently, Pennsylvania law requires an employer to pay total disability benefits for any employee at or above 35 percent disabled.
Unfortunately, many times an employer requesting an IRE is looking to reduce the number of benefits they are paying out by getting an evaluation that reports less than 35 percent disabled.
It is important that you or your loved one consult with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer if you receive a notice for an impairment rating evaluation. […]
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Can You Be Fired After Filing for Workers’ Compensation?
Could You Be Fired After a Workplace Injury?
The short answer is “no”. It is illegal for an employer in Pennsylvania to fire an employee for filing a workers comp claim. PA workers’ compensation law prohibits employers from terminating an injured worker for:
- Reporting a work-related injury or disease
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Having a workers comp claim approved
- Receiving workers comp benefits
If you have recently opened a PA workers comp claim or if you have recently reported a work-related injury or illness to your employer and you believe you are experiencing punitive actions such as unfair treatment or if you have been fired, you need to contact an experienced and skillful Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation attorney at Munley Law to help you prove your employer’s actions were unlawful.
How Does Workers’ […]
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What Are the Emergency Procedures a Truck Driver Must Take After a Truck Accident?
Truck drivers must comply with all regulated requirements for emergency efforts after a truck accident
Certain emergency procedures must be put into practice after a truck accident, and these efforts are mandatory for truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) mandates rules and regulations to ensure safe roads, and trucker drivers have a definitive list of timely measures and protocols that must be taken when driving, and in the event of a truck accident.
If you or your loved one have been involved in a truck accident, dealing with the details and aftermath can be frustrating, stressful, and devastating: reach out to an experienced truck accident lawyer with a successful track record to get the support and guidance to ensure that no stone is left unturned. An experienced truck accident attorney at Munley Law has the resources and expertise to deal with commercial company’s representation and to fight for the compensation that you deserve. […]
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Can I Sue After a Rear End Collision?
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney to Help After Rear End Accident
Car accident lawyers will tell you that rear end collisions are unfortunately a fairly common part of driving; in fact, the Washington Post reported that there are approximately 1.7 million rear end collisions on U.S. roadways each year. What’s more, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported in 2019 that almost 30% of car accidents in the state were rear-end collisions. But while these accidents are common, they still need to be taken seriously. Grave injury and extensive damage are both possible results of a rear-end accident, and if you’ve experienced an accident of this nature, you will want a trusted car accident lawyer to guide you through the process of receiving proper compensation.
After an accident, it’s possible that one party may reach out to the other with an initial settlement offer. […]
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What Injuries, Diseases and Illnesses are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that provides a financial safety net for Pennsylvania workers who have suffered a work-related injury or occupational disease during the course of their employment. If you suffered an injury or have become sick from workplace conditions in PA, you have the right to receive workers’ compensation from your place of employment to cover your medical expenses and lost wages for your injury or illness.
The Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act of 1915 mandated that all employers in PA provide workers’ compensation insurance for all employees. All Pennsylvania workers are covered for the entire period of their employment. Coverage begins on the first day on the job. Injuries or diseases caused or aggravated by workplace duties are covered under workers’ compensation, regardless of the employee’s previous physical condition.
If you are suffering from a work-related injury or disease, […]
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