Falls, struck-by incidents, heavy lifting, and equipment failures can leave workers with long recoveries, mounting medical bills, and lengthy periods away from work, which is why many turn to Munley Law’s Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers after a serious job-site injury. When an injury threatens your health and income, you need clear guidance on your rights under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation system.
For nearly 70 years, Munley Law has represented injured construction workers across Luzerne County, helping clients pursue wage-loss benefits, medical coverage, and specific-loss compensation after serious job-site injuries. Our attorneys understand the challenges construction workers face, from denied claims and disputed injuries to questions about long-term disability benefits.
If you were hurt working in construction in Luzerne County, you shouldn’t have to take on the workers’ comp claim process alone.
Munley Law’s Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers guide you through paperwork, deadlines, medical documentation, and negotiations, helping protect your right to benefits throughout the claims process. Call or email us to schedule a free consultation.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 
Which Construction Site Injuries Qualify for Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation?
Most Luzerne County employers must provide coverage for medical costs and lost wages tied to job-related injuries. Under Pennsylvania law, most construction workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured while performing job-related duties, whether the injury occurs on a construction site, while traveling for work, or at another approved work location. How long you can collect depends on the seriousness of the injury and whether you’re permanently disabled.
Construction accidents often involve serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment, lengthy recovery periods, or permanent work restrictions. In fact, construction workers are more likely than workers in other industries to suffer a workplace injury or be killed on the job. In 2023, there were 162,694 work-related injuries and illnesses reported in Pennsylvania, with 8,731 injuries on duty in the construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30 construction workers died while on duty in 2023.
Of the 8,731 injuries construction workers suffered in 2023, 37% were sprains or strains to the upper extremities. Lifting, carrying, and handling heavy materials continue to be a leading cause of construction injuries, accounting for nearly one-quarter of reported incidents in Pennsylvania.
Typical covered injuries include:
- Amputations
- Struck-by incidents
- Fractures
- Severe bruising
- Thermal or chemical burns
- Crush injuries and deep lacerations
- Fatal accidents
- Electrocution
- Falls from height or same-level falls
- Occupational illnesses
- Permanent loss of body-part use
- Job-related vehicle crashes
Pennsylvania also pays specific-loss benefits when an accident costs you a limb, digit, or a sense, such as vision or hearing, even if you never miss work.
“For more than three generations, our family has been fighting for justice. It’s more than a career choice—it’s written into our DNA. That legacy shapes how I approach every case. The people who walk through our doors aren’t case numbers; they’re families in crisis, looking for someone to fight as hard for them as we would for our own.”
Robert W. Munley, III
How Can a Wilkes-Barre Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help You?
The comp process can be intimidating. A small paperwork error may lead to a denial, and insurers often try to cut off checks early. Many injured people, therefore, wonder if hiring an attorney is worth their while. In most cases, the answer is yes.
Construction injury claims often involve unique issues, including disputes over repetitive-trauma injuries, questions about subcontractor relationships, and accidents involving multiple companies on the same job site. Our attorneys help gather medical evidence, communicate with insurers, and represent injured workers during hearings or appeals when necessary.
Additionally, we have:
- Secured millions in benefits for clients, including a $12 million victory for a work accident.
- Won multiple awards from prestigious legal organizations and been named to Lawdragon, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers.
- Caroline Munley has been named a certified workers’ compensation specialist by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law.
Can a Wilkes-Barre Comp Attorney Help If Your Claim Is Denied?
Although the law is supposed to protect injured employees, carriers still issue unfair claim denials. A denial might allege late reporting, question where you were hurt, or argue your injury isn’t serious. You have the right to appeal. Let our denied-benefits team handle the process while you recover.
Call now to schedule a free case evaluation with a Wilkes-Barre comp lawyer.
What a Construction Worker Should Do After an Injury
If you have been injured on a construction site, you need to take specific steps to ensure you have a valid claim.
- Always seek medical care right away—even for back strains that seem minor.
- File an incident notice immediately; waiting up to the 120-day deadline can jeopardize your case.
- Before giving any recorded statement, talk to a qualified comp lawyer. Your attorney negotiates with the carrier, represents you at hearings or mediation, and protects your wage-loss checks from being cut off too soon.
If your injury involved faulty equipment, unsafe property, or a negligent driver, we can evaluate potential premises-liability or third-party motor-vehicle claims.
Death Benefits After a Fatal Construction Accident
If a construction accident proves fatal, surviving family members may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits, including funeral expenses and a portion of lost income. Learn more about how Pennsylvania workers’ compensation death benefits work.
Can Construction Workers Bring Third-Party Claims?
Workers’ compensation generally prevents employees from suing their employers after a workplace injury. However, construction accidents often involve third parties, including equipment manufacturers, property owners, subcontractors, or negligent drivers.
In some cases, injured workers may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate third-party personal injury claim. Our attorneys can evaluate whether additional sources of compensation may be available.
FAQs About Workers’ Compensation for Construction Accidents
What is Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Comp System?
In Pennsylvania, the Workers’ Compensation Act obligates most employers to carry workers’ comp coverage. If they fail, workers can sue, and the company may face criminal charges.
As a Construction Worker in PA, am I Covered by Workers’ Comp?
Nearly all full- and part-time employees are covered by workers’ compensation from day one. Certain categories—such as independent contractors or short-term farm laborers—are exempt.
After a Construction Injury, How Long Do I Have to Report and File?
After a construction accident, you must notify your employer within 120 days, but sooner is safer. Injured workers generally have three years from the date of injury or the last payment of benefits to file a claim petition, although reporting the injury as soon as possible is important to protect your rights.
How Much Workers’ Compensation will I receive?
Workers’ compensation benefits for construction workers depend on disability level and wage history. Our specific-loss chart and wage-loss calculators help estimate payouts.
Talk to Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Luzerne County
A worker’s compensation claim can be a nightmare for a layperson, who is typically unfamiliar with the intricate details of Pennsylvania law. If you’ve been injured on duty in Luzerne County, our Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers can help you through this complex process, helping you pursue the benefits available under Pennsylvania law after a work injury.
Contact us online or call Munley Law toll-free today to speak to an experienced personal injury and comp attorney. We’ll review your claim, explain your rights, and help you understand your rights and pursue available workers’ compensation benefits.
Robert W. Munley, III
Robert W. Munley, III is a highly regarded and respected workers’ compensation lawyer. Bob has earned numerous accolades during his career fighting for injured workers, including being named to Best Lawyers in America in 2013 and appointed to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America guide. Bob is also known for being outspoken in helping attorneys fight for workers rights nationwide, taking part in speaking arrangements such as the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Symposium and the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Information Distribution Seminar.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on August 5, 2026.
