The Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers at Munley Law have been protecting injured employees for more than 65 years. Our board-certified attorneys handle every aspect of your claim — from filing paperwork and dealing with the insurance company to appealing denied claims and fighting for full benefits in court. We understand the tactics employers and insurers use to delay or deny valid claims, and we know how to stop them.
When you choose Munley Law, you’re choosing a firm that combines local insight with nationally recognized experience. Our team includes a certified workers’ compensation specialist — a credential held by only a small percentage of lawyers in Pennsylvania — and we’ve recovered millions in benefits for hardworking people just like you.
Call our workers’ compensation lawyers today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why Should You Hire a Workers’ Comp Attorney in Wilkes-Barre?
Many injured workers wait too long to get legal help — often because they assume the system will be fair. Unfortunately, insurance companies and employers don’t always look out for your best interests. A small mistake on a form or a missed deadline can cost you the benefits you’ve earned. That’s why it’s smart to talk with an experienced Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible after an injury.
You should contact a lawyer if:
- Your employer refuses to report your injury or delays filing your claim
- The insurance company denied your workers’ compensation claim
- Your injury is being disputed, or you have a pre-existing condition
- Your wage-loss checks stopped unexpectedly
- You were injured at a Luzerne County warehouse, hospital, or construction site
- You’ve been told you must return to work before you’re fully healed
- You’re being sent to an “independent medical exam” (IME) by the insurer
- You suffered a permanent injury or disfigurement
- You believe a third party (like a contractor or equipment manufacturer) may also be responsible
Even if you’re not sure whether you need an attorney, it costs nothing to find out. During your free consultation, we’ll review your claim, explain your rights, and give you a clear picture of what to expect.
Our Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers are here to protect your job, your income, and your future. No fee unless we win your case.
What Is an Independent Medical Exam?
If there is a dispute with the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, you may be asked to have an independent medical exam. Also known as an IME, it is a medical examination conducted by an independent medical professional selected by the insurance company.
While these doctors are qualified to treat and diagnose you, you must be prepared before your exam. Before an IME, you should speak to an experienced workers’ comp lawyer. Munley Law can help you understand the process before and after the exam and provide legal advice. They can also advise you on what to do or not do during your exam. For example:
- Be honest. You may be nervous or assume they will deny your claim if you divulge too much, but you must be real. If these doctors think you’re lying, even slightly, they can deny your benefits.
- Don’t speak poorly of your employer. Your doctor’s appointment is not the time to discuss workplace issues. Stick to facts about this specific injury.
- Don’t exaggerate. Along with telling the truth, don’t embellish your injuries. An experienced workers’ compensation doctor can tell when you’re not being truthful. Even a slight exaggeration can impact your claim.
Many cases are lost because workers do not consult a lawyer beforehand. If you’re facing an IME, be sure to get in touch with us immediately.
Speak with a Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyer near me.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can I Receive in Pennsylvania?
Depending on the severity of your injury, there are several types of benefits injured workers could be eligible for after a workplace accident:
- Medical Bills: This includes but is not limited to doctor’s visits, surgery, lab tests, medication, medical equipment, and ongoing care.
- Lost Wages: If the accident causes you to lose time from work, workers’ comp will pay a percentage of your wages.
- Specific Loss Payments: If the work injury results in a permanent loss, such as disfigurement or loss of limb, you may be eligible for specific loss payments for your work injury.
- Disability Payments: If you are temporarily or permanently disabled because of the accident, you will receive benefits.
- Death Benefits: If you lost a loved one in a workplace accident, you could receive workers’ compensation death benefits on their behalf. This includes funeral expenses.
- Social Security Disability: You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in addition to workers’ comp.
What Is a Third-Party Workers’ Compensation Lawsuit?
If the negligence of another party caused your injury, you may have cause to bring a suit against a third party. For example, suppose you are a delivery driver who got into a car accident with a drunk driver. In that case, you can file for workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. A personal injury lawyer in Wilkes-Barre can help you with your third-party claim.
Common Workplace Injuries in Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers at Munley Law have represented employees from nearly every industry in Luzerne County, helping them recover full benefits after serious injuries and illnesses. Here are some of the most common workplace injuries we handle:
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments. This can include electricity, toxic chemicals, poisonous substances, or diseases. Many of these types of injuries happen to construction workers.
- Overexertion. With so many warehouses in Wilkes-Barre, including Chewy and True Value, it’s no surprise that many warehouse work injuries in Luzerne County result from excessive physical effort.
- Repetitive motion injuries. Minor tasks such as typing on a computer keyboard can cause strain or stress on your body.
- Slips and falls. Even a simple slip on a spilled drink could cause a severe injury.
- Injuries involving objects or equipment. Defective equipment or improper training can cause an injury.
No matter how your workplace injury was caused, a workers’ comp lawyer from Munley Law can help you get the compensation you need to recover.
Why Was Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Denied?
Here are the most common reasons a claim may be denied in Wilkes-Barre:
Your Employer Disputes the Injury
Sometimes, an employer may claim your injury didn’t happen at work or that it’s unrelated to your job duties. We’ll collect medical records, witness statements, and employment documents to prove your injury was job-related and qualifies for benefits.
You Missed the Reporting Deadline
Under Pennsylvania law, you must notify your employer within 120 days of your injury to be eligible to receive benefits. If your employer claims you missed this deadline, our attorneys can review the timeline and argue exceptions where notice was reasonably delayed.
Lack of Medical Evidence For Your Injury
Insurers frequently deny claims by arguing there’s not enough medical proof connecting your condition to your job.
We work with your doctors and independent specialists to establish clear medical causation and document how your work led to the injury or illness.
You Have a Pre-Existing Condition
An insurer might argue your injury existed before your employment or was aggravated outside of work.
In many cases, even if you had a prior condition, worsening or aggravation due to your job still qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits.
Paperwork or Technical Errors
A single missing document, incomplete form, or misfiled report can result in denial. Our legal team handles every step of the claims process — from initial filing through appeal — to ensure your case is properly documented and deadlines are met.
If your workers’ compensation claim was denied, don’t give up. The Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers at Munley Law can file an appeal through the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and fight to reinstate your benefits.
Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Our Wilkes-Barre workers’ comp attorneys are here to help.
The Workers’ Compensation Claim Process
Even if your injury seems minor, you should tell your employer as soon as possible about the accident and your injury. Failure to do so may lead to complications later if the injury worsens.
After you report your injury, the workers’ compensation insurance company may contact you for details about the accident and your injury. You should discuss your case with the insurance company, but don’t sign any insurance document until our Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation law firm has reviewed it.
For the first 90 days, you must be treated by a doctor from your employer’s list. Your employer should give you at least six doctors to choose from, and your employer cannot decide for you. If your employer does not offer a list of options, you may select your own. You may also choose another doctor from the list if the first doctor selected is unsatisfactory.
After 90 days of treatment, you then have the option to choose your doctor. If you decide to choose a doctor not on your employer’s list, you must notify your employer within five days after your first visit. You risk not receiving your workers’ compensation benefits or lump-sum settlement if you don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation
Do All Wilkes-Barre Workers’ Comp Cases End With a Settlement?
Not all, but most, workers’ compensation claims are resolved through a settlement between the injured worker and the employer’s insurance company. These settlements are known as “Compromise and Release” (CR) and represent a compromise that is agreeable to all parties. A settlement typically means receiving your money faster and at lower risk, but it usually involves a lesser amount.
Can I Collect Workers’ Comp if I Work for a Temp Agency?
The short answer is yes. However, filing and receiving your workers’ comp insurance for temporary or seasonal work can be more complex. If you have been injured on your seasonal or temporary job in Wilkes-Barre, hiring a workers’ comp lawyer to help you file your claim is a good idea. Duty and responsibility can be shuffled around from employer to temp agency. Be sure you have an experienced Wilkes-Barre workers’ comp lawyer on your side.
What Workplace Injuries Are Excluded From Workers’ Comp?
Coverage can be denied if your injury is self-inflicted, if you have been working under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol, or if you’ve done anything that violates your employer’s policies. For example, if you get into a fight with a co-worker while on the job and receive a brain injury, you will not receive workers’ compensation benefits at the time. Another instance is if you had not started work or were on a break at the time of the accident, you may not be able to receive compensation if you were in an accident.
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Long-Term Conditions and Illnesses?
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act determines your eligibility and how long your benefits can be paid. Compensation pays medical benefits, which cover your medical bills for appropriate medical treatment by an approved medical provider, and your wage loss benefits help you recover financially from work lost due to your injury or illness.
PA does not put an upper limit on medical benefits; you can receive them for as long as you need treatment for your injury or illness. However, Pennsylvania does place a cap on your wage loss benefits.
Can I Visit My Own Doctor for Treatment?
In short, not at first. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, your employer must post a list of six or more physicians that you can choose from to treat your work injures. You must continue treatment with that provider or any other providers on that list for the first 90 days after your accident. Once the 90 days are up, you can then see a doctor of your choosing.
Once you begin receiving your workers’ comp benefits, your employer or 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 workers’ compensation judge that will require you to attend an examination with their chosen provider. Failure to attend may result in a suspension of your benefits.
Our Work Injury Law Firm in Wilkes-Barre Will Fight For Your Rights
A Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyer at Munley Law will assess each aspect of your accident to ensure you are rightfully compensated. When workplace injuries happen to our neighbors, we take it personally. Munley Law has proudly represented generations of families in Luzerne County, and we’ll continue to fight for our community’s workers for generations to come.
If you were injured on the job, you may be confused about the workers’ compensation process. If you have questions, we have answers. Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on November 19, 2025.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
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