Bridesburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Pennsylvania workers face a wide range of hazards that can lead to serious workplace accidents and injuries, such as machinery malfunctions, exposure to harmful substances, or repetitive stress injuries. While some industries are inherently more dangerous than others, employees in all industries are entitled to a safe working environment and the protections of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act of receiving prompt medical care and financial support during recovery.

At Galfand Berger LLP, our seasoned Bridesburg Workers’ Compensation lawyers have helped thousands of injured workers seek benefits and third-party compensation for work-related accidents and injuries. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a workplace accident, our dedicated legal team can help you navigate the complex Workers’ Compensation system.

At Galfand Berger LLP, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that follow a workplace injury. For over 75 years, Galfand Berger LLP has stood by Pennsylvania workers’ sides. Our experienced Bridesburg Workers’ Compensation lawyers are committed to protecting your rights and securing the benefits you deserve.

What Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Pennsylvania employers with 15 or more employees must provide Workers’ Compensation insurance, covering medical treatment and benefits for employees injured on the job. This includes both full-time and part-time workers, regardless of the hours worked or how the injury occurred.

Workers’ Compensation benefits typically include medical treatment, rehabilitation, partial lost wages, and other related benefits for work-related injuries. Employees who experience permanent conditions or loss of a limb may qualify for disability benefits.

Accidents must be reported to the employer within 21 days to get full benefits. Claims can be filed up to 120 days after the injury, but benefits only begin from the date of notice, not the accident. Note that some medical expenses and wages may not be fully reimbursed.

How Long Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Paid?

The duration of Workers’ Compensation benefits in Pennsylvania depends on the severity of your injuries and your ability to return to work. Benefits may be temporary while you recover and prepare to return to your job or permanent if your injuries result in a disabling condition. In cases of severe injuries, you may qualify for extended benefit periods.

Workers’ Compensation covers all necessary medical care and provides wage-loss benefits amounting to two-thirds of your average weekly wages, subject to the state’s maximum limit. To ensure accurate benefit payments, your employer must file a Notice of Compensation Payable and a Statement of Wages with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, detailing your job description, wages, and injury-related information.

Can My Workers’ Compensation Claim Be Denied?

Claims can be denied for several reasons, though incomplete forms or inaccurate information are the most common. Other reasons a Workers’ Compensation claim can be denied include:

Unrelated Accident: Your claim will be denied if the accident and injuries are not work-related or occurred somewhere other than your workplace.
Intentional: Injuries self-inflicted or caused by intentional behavior, such as fighting, are not covered.
Intoxication: Claims filed for injuries caused by drug or alcohol intoxication will be denied.
Improper Reporting: Improperly filed claims or claims submitted after the deadline will be denied.
Insufficient Evidence: Claim applications without the required medical reports documenting your injuries will be denied.
Pre-Existing Condition: Injuries related to a pre-existing condition rather than a direct result of your job duties are not covered under Workers’ Compensation insurance.

You can file an appeal if your Workers’ Compensation claim is denied. Following a denial, it is crucial to seek assistance from an experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer to help you correct the claim, gather the required information, and ensure the appeal is complete and properly filed.

What Are Common Types of Workplace Accidents and Injuries?

Workplace accidents are the leading cause of personal injuries in the United States and occur for a myriad of reasons, including human error, equipment malfunctions, or insufficient training. Common accidents include burns, chemical exposure or inhalation, electrocution, falls from heights, improper equipment use, overexertion, repetitive motion injuries, and slip and fall accidents.

Injuries resulting from workplace accidents can range from minor to life-altering and include burns, broken bones, lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, hearing loss, and many other serious injuries and conditions.

What Should I Do if I Suffer an Injury at Work?

Workers’ Compensation claims require substantial documentation related to the accident and the injuries you sustain, and gathering information as soon as the accident happens provides critical evidence for your claim. If you are able following an accident, you should take the following steps:

Report the accident, what led to it, and your injuries to your supervisor or employer immediately and request the required Workers’ Compensation benefit forms and a copy of the employer’s accident report
Photograph the scene and what caused your injuries, such as faulty equipment
Gather witness contact information and statements
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, regardless of the severity of your injuries. Workers ‘ Compensation claims require a doctor’s report detailing your injuries and necessary treatment. Fully communicate to your healthcare provider that your injuries are work-related so the doctor can prepare the appropriate and required forms.
Keep all records, forms, reports, and communication about the accident and your injuries.
Hire a Bridesburg Workers’ Compensation lawyer with experience handling and negotiating complex Workers’ Compensation insurance claims and determine whether any third-party liability applies.
Complete and submit forms. You are required to complete separate forms for each requested benefit and provide medical reports, proof of wages, and prior work-injury history.

Under Pennsylvania’s Panel Acknowledgment (PA) rules, employers may require injured employees to seek initial medical treatment from one of at least six designated healthcare providers. However, employers cannot mandate treatment from a specific provider. Injured workers are typically required to use the employer’s designated providers for the first 90 days following their initial visit. After this period, you may choose your doctor, but you must notify your employer within five days of your first visit to the new provider.

Workers are also protected under the Workers’ Compensation Act Bill of Rights, which requires employers to inform employees of their rights regarding workplace injuries during the hiring process. These rights include:

Receiving employer-covered medical treatment from a designated provider during the first 90 days.
Obtaining emergency medical care from any provider.
Seeking evaluation or treatment from a non-designated provider at your own expense.
Receiving treatment from another provider if referred by a designated physician.
Obtaining additional opinions from other physicians if invasive surgery is recommended.

If your employer does not provide the Bill of Rights or fails to obtain your signed employee acknowledgment, you are not required to use the designated providers. While you cannot refuse to sign the acknowledgment, this document ensures you are fully informed of your rights.

How Can Galfand Berger LLP Help Me with My Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Workers’ Compensation law is complex, and insurance companies require ample information and evidence before accepting a claim. At Galfand Berger LLP, our experienced lawyers will safeguard your rights and provide the support and guidance you need to navigate the complex filing process.