If you suffered an on-the-job injury, then you need a lawyer who will fight for you
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys’s workers’ comp lawyers represent workers who have suffered all kinds of injuries.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2.8 million workers suffer on-the-job injuries every year. In addition, BLS reports an increase in workplace fatalities. To that end, 5,250 American laborers tragically died while working last year. Moreover, BLS announced in a recent news release that the injury and illness rate–2.8 cases per 100 workers, or 2.8% of the workforce–remain unchanged. If you suffered an injury while doing your job, then you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, your employer and its insurer will likely fight to limit your payments. In order to get the maximum amount, you need an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ comp lawyer who won’t back down. You need Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
Schedule your FREE consultation with our leading workers’ comp team today.
Pennsylvania workers’ comp lawyers who will work for you
For more than 60 years, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has fought for injured workers and their families. In doing so, we’ve won millions for our clients in courtrooms and negotiation rooms across the United States. Our workers’ comp team has the experience, knowledge and tenacity to get you the maximum benefits amount possible. In fact, we’re so confident in our abilities, that if you don’t get paid, neither will we. Plus, a consultation with an award-winning Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys workers’ comp lawyer is always free. Call, text, chat, or email us right away.
The most common work-related injuries
According to Insurance Journal, the Top 5 workers’ compensation claim injuries are:
- Strains and sprains (30% of workers’ comp claims)
- Cuts and puncture wounds (19% of workers’ comp claims)
- Contusions (12% of workers’ comp claims)
- Inflammation (5% of workers’ comp claims)
- Fractures (5% of workers’ comp claims)
The most common causes of workplace injuries
Likewise, the most common causes of Pennsylvania workplace injures are:
- Handling dangerous or heavy materials or machinery (32% of workers’ comp claims)
- Slips, trips, and falls (16% of workers’ comp claims)
- Being struck by/colliding with an object (10% of workers’ comp claims)
- Faulty or misuse of tools (7% of workers’ comp claims)
- Overuse or strain from repeated motions (4% of workers’ comp claims)
While these are the most common injuries overall, there are important disparities in certain major industries. For example, the top cause of on-the-job injuries in both the construction and retail industries is falling from height. In construction and manufacturing, eye injuries are quite prevalent. Likewise, in the oil and gas industry, truck and car crashes are a top injury cause.
Pennsylvania workers’ comp FAQ
If you suffered an on-the-job injury in Pennsylvania, then you need a plan for maximizing your workers’ comp benefits while you recover.
Q: I was hurt while working. How do I know if my injury qualifies for workers’ comp benefits?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the word “injury” under the Workers’ Compensation Act means more than it does in every day speech. For Pennsylvania workers’ comp purposes, an “injury” includes :
- A specific workplace incident that causes an injury. For example, a fall at work.
- A series of repetitive actions resulting in a disability. For instance, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- A worker’s pre-existing condition the job aggravated, such as asthma.
- A prior work-related disability that causes another separate injury, like a back injury.
To discuss whether you qualify for workers compensation benefits in Pennsylvania, call, text, chat, or email us for FREE today.
Q: Can I get workers’ comp for a work-related illness?
Yes, Pennsylvania does not limit workers’ comp to only physical injuries. In fact, the Workers Compensation Act allows sick workers to get benefits for qualifying “occupational diseases.” To that end, DLI recognizes some diseases related to certain jobs. These include:
- Tuberculosis and hepatitis: for nurses, blood processors, and related professionals with exposure to these diseases
- Heart disease and lung disease for firemen who have 4+ years of service
- Pneumoconiosis and silicosis for all jobs involving direct contact with or exposure to coal dust
- Chemical poisoning (i.e. lead, arsenic, mercury) for jobs requiring direct contact, exposure, or preparation of compounds
Additionally, other diseases may qualify for workers’ comp benefits. However, a sick worker must first establish that the disease is “occupationally related.” To do so, an employee must show:
- Because of the nature of the employment, he or she is exposed to the disease
- The disease is causally related to the employee’s industry or job
- Comparatively, the disease occurs more frequently in the employee’s industry than in the general population
