If you were injured at work and your claim for redress was denied, Munley Law’s Hazleton workers’ compensation lawyers can help you get the justice you deserve. We have defended the rights of injured workers in Luzerne County since 1959, securing multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other losses, and we can help you.
Two of our lawyers have been recognized for their workers’ compensation work, and four of our attorneys hold board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In addition, all our partners received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest ratings, and our firm and lawyers are honored regularly by Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. Some of our attorneys are members of prestigious organizations, including the Litigation Counsel of America, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Multi-Million-Dollar Advocates Forum.
Give yourself the best chances of successfully recovering compensation for your workplace injury or illness. Contact our Hazleton workers’ comp lawyers for a free consultation. Chat live, email us, or call today.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Do You Need a Hazleton Workers’ Comp Attorney?
When you’ve been injured on the job in Hazleton, finding your way through the workers’ compensation system can be overwhelming. This system is governed by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. While not every workplace injury requires legal representation, many situations can benefit from the expertise of a local workers’ compensation attorney near you.
You should consider hiring our Hazleton personal injury attorneys for the following situations:
- Your claim has been denied. Insurance companies frequently deny legitimate work injury claims, hoping workers won’t appeal. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers know how to challenge these denials effectively.
- You’re receiving inadequate benefits. Even when claims are accepted, many injured workers receive less compensation than they deserve. Our work injury lawyers ensure you get the full benefits you’re entitled to under Pennsylvania law.
- Your injury is severe or permanent. Serious injuries that result in permanent disability or significant time away from work require skilled legal advocacy to secure appropriate long-term benefits.
- You’re facing retaliation because you filed a workers’ comp claim. We can protect your rights and hold employers accountable if you’ve experienced negative consequences because you filed a workers’ compensation claim.
- Your employer disputes your claim. When employers argue that your injuries occurred outside of work or question the severity of your condition, our legal team will fight to validate your claim.
- You’re receiving other government benefits. If you’re also receiving Social Security Disability or other benefits, coordination is critical to maximize your total compensation.
- You have questions about the workers’ compensation process. The system is complex, with strict deadlines and specific procedures. Our attorneys provide clear guidance tailored to your situation.
At Munley Law, our workers’ compensation attorneys have decades of experience helping injured workers in Hazleton and throughout Luzerne County. We understand the local system, know the judges, and have the resources to build the strongest possible case for your benefits.
What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits are Available to Hazleton Workers?
If you’ve suffered a workplace injury in Hazleton’s manufacturing plants, warehouses, or food processing facilities, you may be entitled to several types of workers’ compensation benefits, such as:
- Medical Coverage – Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance must cover all necessary medical expenses resulting from your workplace accident. This includes emergency treatment at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton, appointments with specialists, surgical procedures, physical therapy at Hazleton rehabilitation centers, prescription medications, and medical equipment needed during recovery.
- Wage Replacement – Hazleton workers who miss work due to workplace injuries can receive approximately two-thirds of their average weekly wages through workers’ compensation.
- Specific Loss Benefits – With manufacturing as one of the largest employment industries in Hazleton, it’s no surprise that workers face risks that can result in permanent injuries. If you’ve suffered disfigurement or lost the use of a body part while working, you may qualify for specific loss payments, regardless of whether you return to work.
- Disability Compensation – Whether your disability is temporary or permanent after a workplace injury, you’re entitled to disability benefits. The amount and duration depend on your medical assessment and ability to return to work in any capacity.
- Death Benefits – Families who have lost loved ones to fatal workplace accidents in Hazleton can receive death benefits, including funeral expense coverage and ongoing financial support for dependents.
- Social Security Disability – Many injured workers in Hazleton may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in addition to workers’ compensation, particularly for severe injuries common in manufacturing and warehousing operations.
You should receive your benefits within approximately three weeks after reporting your injury to your employer. Your specific compensation amount depends on whether you have a total or partial disability, with total disability benefits generally equaling about two-thirds of your weekly earnings.
Remember that Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system operates on a no-fault basis. This means that even if you were partially responsible for your accident at a Hazleton workplace, you’re still entitled to benefits. However, this also means you cannot sue your employer for additional pain and suffering damages outside the workers’ compensation system. However, if someone else caused your injury, you may be able to file a third party claim.
What Happens When Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied in Hazleton?
Many injured workers in Hazleton rely on workers’ compensation to pay their expenses following a workplace accident. Unfortunately, when the insurance company denies your claim, you may not know how you will pay your bills while recovering.
The most common reasons why workers’ comp claims are denied include:
- There was a mistake made when filling out the paperwork. Even if you followed all the procedures in reporting your injuries, you might be denied because the employer or insurance carrier had missed a key detail or made a mistake in the paperwork.
- You did not report the injury in time. According to Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation law, you have up to 120 days from the date of your injury to inform your employer of your injury. You cannot collect benefits if the accident is reported after 120 days.
- There were no witnesses to the accident. Of course, any proof of your accident can help strengthen your claim. But you should still report the accident and seek medical attention if there are no witnesses. A doctor can usually verify that your injuries were caused by a workplace accident.
- There’s an issue with the accident report or medical records. If your accident report differs from what injuries you sustained, the insurance company may deny the claim. For example, you claim in the report that you tripped over a power cord and fell, breaking your leg. However, the medical records show that you only sustained an ankle sprain. This discrepancy may cause the insurance carrier to deny your claim.
- You were doing something illegal at the time of the accident. For example, if you had alcohol or drugs in your system at the time of the accident, you would not be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, if you start a fight while at work and are injured, your claim will be denied.
If your claim was denied for any of these reasons, contact our Hazleton workers’ compensation attorney immediately to start the appeal process.
What Are the Common Types of Work Accidents in Hazleton, PA?
Hazleton’s various workplace environments have unique safety challenges and injury risks. As Hazleton workers’ compensation attorneys, we’ve helped clients from all major industries in our region recover from work-related injuries.
The most common types of work accidents we see in Hazleton and wider Luzerne County include:
- Manufacturing Injuries –The manufacturing sector represents one of the city’s largest employment categories. Local manufacturing facilities include food processing companies such as Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland, packing companies, and other production facilities operating throughout the Humboldt Industrial Park and surrounding areas. Common manufacturing accidents include repetitive motion injuries, burns, toxic exposure from chemicals, and slips and falls. According to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Luzerne County’s manufacturing industry reported 385 workplace accidents and illnesses in 2024.
- Warehouse Accidents – Warehouses are pretty typical in the Hazleton area, and unfortunately, they can pose a significant risk of injury for workers. Manual lifting, repetitive motion, heavy machinery operation, and forklift operation can all cause serious harm to workers. Pennsylvania’s warehousing and storage industry reported 4,509 workplace accidents in 2024.
- Heavy Machinery Accidents – Heavy machine accident dangers are real in Hazleton. Those operating heavy machinery in an industrial facility, a distribution center, or a construction site are always at risk of serious injury. Lack of equipment maintenance or proper safety procedures can lead to severe accidents.
- Forklift Accidents – Forklifts are widely used to stack and move materials in Hazleton’s warehouses, distribution centers, and construction sites. Faulty machinery, lack of safety devices, poor maintenance, overloading, improper training, or driver error can cause a forklift accident, leading to a severe injury.
- Transportation Accidents – Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in this country and the cause of many work-related injuries for truck drivers, delivery drivers, and other transportation workers. In addition, workers operating large trucks, cranes, backhoes, and other vehicles on construction sites and other work areas are at risk of serious injury. The transit and ground passenger transportation industry in Pennsylvania reported 1,652 work accidents in 2024, while the courier and messenger industry reported 4,854 accidents, the truck transportation industry reported 3,012 accidents, and the air transportation industry reported 1,201 accidents.
- Healthcare Worker Injuries – Nurses, aides, and other caregivers do physically demanding work involving heavy lifting, long hours, and other strenuous activities, resulting in injuries. The Keystone State’s healthcare and social services industry reported 31,580 workplace injuries in 2024. There were also 6,878 injuries in the ambulatory healthcare services industry, 11,061 injuries in hospitals, 9,022 injuries in the nursing and residential care facilities industry, and 4,619 injuries in the social assistance industry.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Hazleton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
If you need legal assistance to get the workers’ compensation you deserve, you need the best law firm for the job on your side. Munley Law is that firm.
One of our Hazleton workplace compensation lawyers, Caroline Munley, is named as a certified workers’ comp specialist by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation. Another of our attorneys, J. Christopher Munley, was named Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Comp by Best Lawyers. He, along with Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, and John Mulcahey, has board certifications in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Marion Munley is currently the Vice President of the American Association for Justice, and she and Caroline are members of the International Society of Barristers and Litigation Counsel of America. Marion and Daniel are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Several of our attorneys have also been honored by the National Trial Lawyers, and all our partners have received accolades from Irish Legal 100 and Lawdragon.
Our more than 250 years of combined legal experience, as well as our extensive knowledge of and familiarity with Pennsylvania’s workers’ comp laws and our commitment to our clients, have seen us secure numerous client victories. One of these was a $12 million verdict for a woman who lost a leg in an accident involving a forklift. Another was a $1 million jury verdict for a warehouse worker whose foot was crushed by a pallet jack.
Workers’ compensation claims can be difficult to handle alone, especially if you need to appeal a claim denial. Let us walk alongside you and handle the legalities while you focus on recovering from your workplace injury or work-related illness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation in Hazleton
Can I Change Jobs While on Workers’ Compensation?
If you get into an accident at work, you may consider changing jobs while on workers’ compensation. But is that possible without hurting your claim?
First, be aware that your former employer’s insurance company still has to pay for medical treatment if you quit your job while on workers’ comp. But if you quit your job before filing for workers’ compensation, it may be challenging to get the benefits. So, before leaving your job, it’s best to speak with our workers’ comp lawyer in Hazleton to learn your next steps.
Can I Lose My Job While on Workers’ Comp?
Pennsylvania law states you cannot be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you are fired in retaliation for filing a claim, this is illegal, and you should speak with an attorney immediately.
However, Pennsylvania is an at-will state. This means that your employer can lay you off for any legal reason. So, for example, if your injury will affect your job, your employer may let you go.
If you lost your job after filing for workers’ compensation, speak with our Hazleton workers’ comp attorney to learn your legal options.
Can I Sue Workers’ Comp for Pain and Suffering?
According to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, an injured employee cannot collect damages for pain and suffering after a workplace accident. In addition, an employee cannot sue an employer after an accident. A worker may only collect workers’ comp benefits for medical expenses and lost wages.
However, there may be other legal options you can explore. For example, if you get into a car accident while on the job, you may be able to file a third-party claim against the other driver. The third-party claim will allow you to obtain pain and suffering. Contact our Hazleton workers’ compensation attorney for a free consultation to learn more about third-party claims.
What is Light Duty? Can I Refuse It?
When an employee is hurt at work and cannot work their regular job until they recover, their employer may offer light duty work. This type of work is usually less demanding and for fewer hours a day until you fully recover and return to your current position.
If your physician clears you for light duty work and the employer has made the appropriate arrangement that accommodates any restrictions your doctor sets, you should accept the offer. Turning it down could result in a loss of workers’ comp benefits.
If you are concerned about light duty work, call our injury attorneys for a free consultation.
Contact the Hazleton Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Munley Law Now
For almost 70 years, the workers’ comp attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have been protecting the rights of injured workers in Hazleton and across Luzerne County. With our decades of experience, we are here to help you. Contact our Hazleton office for a free consultation with our experienced workers’ comp lawyer. We will answer all your workers’ comp questions and advise you on your next steps.
We are available 24/7, and there is no fee unless we win your case.
Areas Served:
Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley is a certified workers’ compensation specialist. During her time fighting for the rights of workplace injury victims, she has recovered millions of dollars for injured workers, in addition to being named as among the Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiffs and Workers’ Compensation Law-Claimants for Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on May 27, 2026.
