Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Lawyer
Injured on the job in the Keystone State? You need the help of an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ comp lawyer. In 2022 alone, private industry employers reported over 120,000 non-fatal, on-the-job injuries in Pennsylvania across numerous different job sectors.
The chances of becoming injured on the job are significant. The question every employee must ask themselves is what they’ll do when — and if — they are hurt.
Pond Lehocky: Experienced Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Law Firm
Pond Lehocky has been one of Pennsylvania’s premier workplace injury law firms since its inception in 2010. With more than 100,000 cases won and a combined 250 years of experience defending injured workers, our team of workers’ compensation attorneys work tirelessly to protect your interests and maximize your compensation claim.
Our PA workers’ comp law firm is trusted by locals and our professional colleagues… and is even the official partner of the Philadelphia Eagles. We are a group of Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys respected in our communities and equipped to handle cases from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and in all 50 states (plus the U.S. Virgin Islands).
Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania: The Help You Need
When you are injured on the job, it’s vital to take certain steps to help maximize your benefits. Hiring a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney is one of the best ways to ensure you check all the right boxes, file all the necessary paperwork, and meet all deadlines to maximize your chances of receiving compensation.
What Can Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in PA Do For Me?
One common mistake is to try to handle a workers’ compensation claim solo. Although you might feel pressured to do so by your employer and/or their insurance carrier, keep your best interests in mind. Think about it: bosses have their own best interests in mind — if they ask you to keep it between you and the company, there could be an ulterior motive at play.
Hiring the right Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney should help you avoid setbacks and delays with your claim — you have enough to worry about while focusing on getting better.
A PA workers’ comp lawyer can help you:
- File your claim in a timely and thorough manner.
- Appeal rejected claims.
- Negotiate higher settlements to ensure all your costs are covered.
- Avoid and address any retaliation from your employer.
- Navigate claims when your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance.
- Double-check that your claim is paid on time.
- Fight for penalties and additional compensation (if owed) when insurance carriers intentionally delay payments (as they often do during the holidays).
In addition to the workers’ compensation services Pond Lehocky offers, we can also help with social security disability cases and personal injury cases. Our attorneys are skilled in these and other areas of law, making us a full-service disability and injury law firm.
Where Can I Find Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in My Area?
Pond Lehocky has offices located all over Pennsylvania, as well as in all 50 states. Whether you are in need of a Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer or one in Lancaster to handle your claim, we’re there to help.
Our client testimonials highlight our commitment to clients. Our clients trust us and put their faith in our expertise to help them with some of the most important matters in their lives, and we don’t take that lightly.
What To Know About Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Cases
In Pennsylvania, if you’re injured while working, you’re likely entitled to compensation for certain expenses associated with the injury. These can include but are not limited to:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of use
- Disfigurement
- Rehabilitation
- Death
To qualify for compensation, claims for benefits must be filed on time and you may also need to undergo medical evaluations. A reputable workplace injury lawyer can help prepare and file your claims and do the heavy lifting of fighting for your benefits so you can focus on your recovery.
Who Is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania?
Nearly every worker in the state of Pennsylvania is covered by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. This includes workers who are only seasonal or who work part-time. The size of your workplace does not affect whether or not you are covered; even workplaces that employ one person are subject to the Workers’ Compensation Act.
How To File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Pennsylvania
If you’ve been hurt on the job, here are a few basic steps to review:
- Report your injury to your employer immediately. You have 21 days to report the injury to receive maximum compensation.
- Seek medical attention, even if you don’t think your injury is severe. There is a limited timeframe to seek treatment — 90 days after an initial work-related injury appointment. (*)
- Contact and retain workplace injury lawyers in Pennsylvania. (PA workers’ comp lawyers can help with everything from preparing your claim to staying on top of critical deadlines to helping you fight a wrongly denied claim if needed).
- Your employer should then file a claim with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance company should handle your claim from this point. However, there’s always a chance your claim could be denied. This is why it is essential you have an attorney on your side to appeal the denial.
Common Workplace Injuries
There are over four million reported workplace injuries in the United States each year. Over one million of those happen as a result of overexertion and bodily reactions (think sprains and strains). The second most common type of on-the-job injury relates to harm caused by coming in contact with objects and equipment. Slip and falls, trips, and exposure to harmful chemicals round out the list.
Some conditions, like heat illnesses, are somewhat unexpected work-related injuries that some might not think to seek compensation for — workers’ compensation lawyers in PA help make sure that every injury has a remedy. Retain a reputable lawyer for the best chances of accessing the funds you need.
Workers’ Compensation PA: Affected Industries
The on-the-job injury rate in Pennsylvania increased from 27.9 to 28 workers per 100 workers from 2021 to 2022. Numerous industries are affected by this increase, and you or your loved ones might be all too familiar with this.
A few critical Pennsylvania workplace injury statistics include:
- In the forestry, fishing, agriculture, and hunting industry, more than 1,280 injuries were reported in 2022.
- Trade and transportation industries reported over 42,000 injuries in 2022.
- Nearly 700 injuries were reported in the mining industry.
- Over 1,000 injuries were reported in utilities industries
- 9,000 + injuries were reported due to construction-related jobs.
Longshore and harbor workers are also affected. These workers are protected by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act through the federal government, and it is important to have the right attorney on your side to help you file your claim.
Rideshare drivers (like Uber and Lyft) may also be eligible for workers’ compensation, along with the frequently injured Amazon personnel and seasonal workers who help with deliveries or warehousing during busy seasons.
FAQs About Working With a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Attorney
How Much Could My Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Claim Be Worth?
Case outcome typically depends on the severity of your injury and the losses you experience. Claims may include both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses can include monetary losses like wages and medical bills, while non-economic losses might include compensation for pain and suffering.
Using a law firm that delivers stellar results is key to successfully recovering losses. If you are injured, speak to a PA workers’ comp lawyer to learn what you might be entitled to.
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers can help you appeal your settlement offer if it is not enough to cover your losses.
How Much Time Do I Have To File for Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania?
You have 21 days to report your injury to your employer and file your claim to receive maximum benefit. Claims may be filed up to 120 days after the incident, but there will likely be a reduction in allowable benefits.
If you want to appeal a claim, you have 20 days to do so. A Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyer is the best person to help ensure everything is filed in a timely manner.
What If My Loved One Passed Due To a Workplace Injury?
While nothing can ease the pain you experience in the absence of a loved one who has been fatally injured on the job, compensation benefits can ensure you don’t have to worry about loss of consortium, loss of future inheritance, or funeral expenses.
The team of Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers at Pond Lehocky is experienced in fighting to ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve. We’ve recently fought to ensure benefits were received by survivors of employees who contracted COVID-19 while on the job and look forward to helping more people every day.
Talk to Workplace Injury Lawyers in Pennsylvania Today
To boost the likelihood of success for your workers’ compensation claim, it’s critical to have a seasoned Pennsylvania workers’ comp lawyer by your side. We provide free consultations to explain your legal avenues and determine your case’s potential. For further details, reach out to Pond Lehocky Giordano LLP at 1-800-568-7500 or use our online form today.
YOUR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CASE:
A VIDEO GUIDE
Learn about the entire claims process by watching this short video: