A Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyer helps injured staff secure medical coverage and wage loss benefits after an injury or illness. However, securing a settlement isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies may deny claims, arguing the injury wasn’t job-related or citing errors in filing.
Are you having trouble with your claim? Munley Law’s attorneys have represented Pennsylvania employees for over 65 years. Contact our us today for a free consultation.
Injured Workers: Steps After a Workplace Accident in Pennsylvania
When you experience an injury at work in Pennsylvania, follow these critical steps to learn how to get workers’ compensation benefits:
Report Your Injury Promptly: Notify your supervisor immediately after a workspace injury, ideally in writing. Provide an accurate incident report detailing the injury and including witness statements. You must inform your supervisor within 120 days to ensure your eligibility for damages. For a full overview of how Pennsylvania’s system handles injuries and benefits, visit the PA Workers’ Compensation page from the Department of Labor & Industry
Seek Medical Care: Obtain medical care from an approved healthcare provider under your companies workers compensation insurance. Your company should provide a list of at least three doctors. You must use one of these providers for the first 90 days; afterward, you may select another doctor. Follow all prescribed treatments.
Document Evidence Thoroughly: Record detailed notes about your occupational injury, including date, time, location, and witnesses. Take photos of the injury and accident scene if possible. Retain copies of all medical records, test results, prescriptions, and related expenses.
File Claim Forms Quickly: Get the claim forms from your organization or their insurer. Complete the forms accurately and submit promptly. Keep copies of all submitted documentation and promptly respond to any additional information requests from the insurance company.
Attend Independent Medical Exams (IME): If the insurance company requires an IME, cooperate fully while protecting your rights.
If you need guidance, an experienced attorney from Munley Law can help you navigate Pennsylvania laws, protect your rights, and maximize your compensation payments. Contact our law firm’s office today for a free consultation.
How Our Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Provide Representation
Workers’ compensation payments include various types of benefits that cover medical expenses, wage loss, specific losses, and even death benefits if you’re injured or become ill due to your job duties. Employers must carry coverage, protecting staff members regardless of fault or employment status.
You might not need an experienced attorney if your claim was filed successfully and your company or the insurer processed payments without issue. However, the claims process can be challenging, especially following serious injuries.
Consider speaking with a lawyer if:
- Your injury is severe and will prevent you from working for an extended period.
- Your claim is denied or delayed.
- You have a pre-existing condition worsened by your injury.
- The insurer requires an independent medical exam (IME).
- You plan to file a third-party case.
An experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyer at Munley Law can protect your rights and guide you through the process. Contact our law firm’s office today for a free consultation. We only collect a fee if we win your case.
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Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Employees
Several types of workers’ compensation benefits are available following an injury in Pennsylvania:
Medical Care: Covers all medical expenses related to your workplace injury, including doctor visits, ER trips, medications, lab tests, medical devices (like wheelchairs), and ongoing care. There’s no set limit, your claim should fully cover co-pays and deductibles.
Wage Loss: Provides replacement for lost wages if you can’t perform your duties after an injury. Payments can be temporary or permanent based on your ability to return to employment.
Specific Loss: Offers payments if your injury resulted in permanent scarring, disfigurement, limb loss, or impaired use of a body part, even if you’re able to return to work. Notify your employer within 120 days and complete your filing within three years to qualify for this type of case.
Death: If an injury leads to death within 300 weeks, eligible family members, such as spouses, minor children, dependent adult children, or parents, may receive death benefits. Policy coverage also covers reasonable burial expenses (up to $3,000). Lawsuits must be submitted within three years of the worker’s passing.
Need assistance with your workers’ compensation case? Contact Munley Law’s experienced lawyers today for a free consultation. Our attorneys and staff will ensure you receive thorough representation and all the financial support you’re entitled to under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation act.
Workplace Injuries: Industries Most at Risk
According to Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Annual Report, the legal system paid over $2.9 billion to injured staff members in 2023, receiving 162,194 injury reports. Industries experiencing frequent job injuries include:
Workers’ Comp Claims in Manufacturing and Warehouse Operations
Manufacturing and warehouse employment sectors, such as Amazon warehouses, have high rates of injury cases due to heavy machinery and hazardous materials. Team members often experience severe injuries from machinery malfunctions, inadequate safety measures, and poor training. Labor within these environments also exposes workers to occupational illnesses from chemical exposure, causing respiratory conditions and chronic health issues.
Compensation for Construction Worker Injuries
Construction firms remain among Pennsylvania’s most hazardous workplaces, with falls from heights as a top cause of fatalities. Additional major risks include injuries from falling objects, machinery-related accidents, electrocution, and trench collapses, OSHA’s recognized “Fatal Four.” Injured workers frequently experience traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, and chronic musculoskeletal problems.
Work Injury Claims for Healthcare and Social Assistance Workers
Healthcare workers experience nearly double the injury rate compared to other industries, often requiring specialized legal support. Routine patient handling leads to frequent back injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions. Workplace violence, especially in emergency departments, contributes significantly to physical and psychological trauma among healthcare workers. Healthcare workplaces also expose individuals to biological hazards such as infectious diseases and needlestick injuries.
Insurance Claims for Transportation and Logistics Employees
Transportation incidents remain a leading cause of fatalities in Pennsylvania. Employees face risks such as highway collisions, driver fatigue, injuries during loading and unloading, slip-and-fall incidents, and repetitive strain. Severe weather conditions exacerbate these dangers, especially during winter months.
Workers Compensation Benefits in Mining and Natural Resource Extraction
Pennsylvania’s mining sector experiences significant injury risks, including underground roof collapses, industrial accidents, and respiratory hazards like black lung disease. Despite strict regulatory oversight as well as local and federal laws, employment in mining continues to pose substantial risks to workers.
Contact Munley Law offices today for a free consultation about your case. Our experienced legal team provides comprehensive legal services and effective representation to ensure you receive all available entitlements, including potential lump sum settlements, under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act.
Contact our workers’ comp attorneys for a free consultation.
Filing a Third-Party Compensation Case After a Work Injury
Workers’ comp insurers provide entitlements without the need to sue your employer. Certain job injuries in Pennsylvania involve third-party liability, meaning someone other than your employer may be responsible. For example, defective machinery that leads to injury could result in a case against the equipment manufacturer. These type of cases can be pursued alongside your standard workers’ comp case.
At Munley Law, our lawyers have successfully represented many clients in third-party cases, including securing a $12 million settlement for a client injured in a forklift accident.
Contact our workers compensation lawyer at Munley Law today for a free consultation. Our offices and dedicated legal team will guide you through your legal options to ensure maximum recovery and wage loss entitlements, including potential lump sum settlements, under Pennsylvania law.
Common Questions About Workers’ Compensation Act
Can Injured Workers Sue Their Company?
No. Workers’ compensation laws in Pennsylvania provide injured workers with benefits without requiring a lawsuit. The workers’ comp system is designed as a no-fault program, meaning you don’t need to prove employer negligence, just that the injury occurred during employment. Due to this system, workers generally cannot take their employers to court for a injury.
Do Workplace Injury Victims Need to Prove Fault?
No, proving fault isn’t necessary under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation act. Workplace injuries qualify for entitlements if they occur during your job duties. The only exceptions involve self-inflicted injuries, substance abuse, or criminal activities. This streamlined system ensures injured employees swiftly receive medical care and wage loss entitlements.
What if My Workers’ Compensation Case is Denied by Insurance Companies?
Workers’ compensation judges often see claims denied due to issues like uncertainty about whether the injury was job-related, pre-existing conditions, missed filing deadlines, or insufficient medical evidence. If your lawsuit is denied, you have the right to appeal. An experienced lawyer at Munley Law can guide you through the appeal process and advocate effectively on your behalf.
What If A Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Delayed?
If your case faces unnecessary delays from your employer or their insurer, you may file a penalty petition. Common reasons include delayed payments, unjust termination of benefits, insufficient injury investigation, or failure to promptly notify you about the case status. Munley Law’s experienced staff can provide essential services to file this petition for you. Penalties may include up to 50 percent of overdue benefits, plus interest, attorney fees, and even potential lump sum settlements.
Contact Our Law Firm’s Office for Workers’ Compensation Services
At Munley Law, our workers’ compensation attorneys and dedicated staff provide comprehensive legal services on behalf of injured employees throughout Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg. If you’re experiencing issues with your case, such as delayed wage loss entitlements, uncertainty about your employment status, or navigating complex laws, our firm can help.
Our experienced lawyers handle all types of compensation cases, from initial filings and appeals to representation in front of a judge. We ensure you understand your rights under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act and will pursue every option to secure your maximum recovery, including lump sum settlements when appropriate.
Contact our offices today for a free consultation and skilled representation from an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney.
