Pursuing Workers’ Compensation Claims In Pennsylvania
Workplace injuries are a source of uncertainty and stress for workers and their families. A gap in income, even if temporary, can endanger a family’s economic future. Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to assist injured workers and help them pay for necessary expenses and medical treatment until they are able to return to work.
In Pennsylvania, an injured worker needs aggressive advocacy when an employer or employer’s insurer delays or denies a workers’ compensation claim or refuses to acknowledge the severity of a worker’s on-the-job accident injury. Obtaining benefits through the Pennsylvania workers’ comp system is not always easy, but the assistance of a skilled lawyer can go a long way toward getting the full benefits you’re entitled to, without delay.
Award-Winning Attorneys Helping Injured Workers Get The Compensation They Deserve
At DiLoreto, Cosentino & Bolinger, injured workers are a large part of our clientele. We have represented injured workers since our founding in 1982, with convenient offices in both Chambersburg and Gettysburg.
Our workers’ compensation attorneys have outstanding credentials in the workers’ comp field of practice. Members of our team have been rated AV-Preeminent* by Martindale Hubbell and repeatedly selected as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Additionally, three of our attorneys were named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list for Pennsylvania.
We are also the only Franklin County law firm to have three attorneys certified as workers’ compensation specialists by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. These are accolades that we are proud of, and we strive to live up to this high standard every time we agree to represent a worker injured on the job.
Injuries And Conditions Covered By Workers’ Compensation
Many workers who suffer on-the-job injuries do so in accidents, such as injuries suffered in falls on construction sites or manufacturing factory accidents. Other employees who require workers’ compensation benefits have injuries that were formed over many years of overuse or misuse. These long-term conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, back pains and other injuries that may come from repetitive motion or a sedentary work style.
In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, you may have a personal injury claim against third parties whose negligence contributed to your injuries. Our lawyers handle these types of claims, too, and we can evaluate whether you have a personal injury case.
Handling All Workers’ Compensation Issues
Following an injury, our law firm is available to help clients at every stage of the workers’ comp process, including preparing and filing the initial application, filing appeals if a claim was denied, and defending clients when insurers seek to reduce benefits. We thoroughly prepare each case, using independent experts when necessary to help us put together the strongest possible claim for each client. Our lawyers assist clients with all of the issues involved with bringing a claim, including:
- Dealing with your employer and their workers’ comp insurance carrier
- Negotiating lump sum settlements
- Obtaining medical benefits for your treatment and wage benefits to replace your lost income
- Pursuing personal injury claims against third parties
- Appealing claim denials or termination of benefits
Our clients include workers from a wide range of professions, including construction workers, mine workers, office workers, truck drivers and trucking company employees, workers at retail centers and more.
What To Expect When You Entrust Us With Your Workers’ Comp Case
We provide the kind of comforting large law firm knowledge and small law firm personal service that makes you feel special, and we let you know that your legal affairs are being handled with poise and professionalism while you recover from your injury. We will remain available to you throughout the workers’ compensation process, providing honest answers to your questions and frequent updates on the status of your case.
Common Causes Of Work Injuries
Some jobs are more dangerous than others. Regardless of your job, you deserve a safe and supportive work environment.
Workplace accidents occur on a daily basis in Pennsylvania, which is why all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for regular noncontract employees. Your work duties may also be contributing to medical issues such as carpal tunnel.
We handle work injury claims resulting from all kinds of causes, including:
- Construction accidents
- Falls from great heights
- Impacts from falling objects
- Forklift accidents
- Heavy lifting
- Machinery accidents
- Work-related motor vehicle accidents
- Conveyors and manufacturing product defects or malfunctions
- Safety or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations
- Fires and explosions
- Electrocution
- Repetitive stress
In every case, we work hard to get workers the full compensation they deserve.
Common Types Of Work Injuries
Work injuries can result in significant injuries and medical conditions such as:
- Injuries to the neck and back
- Catastrophic injuries to the brain and spinal cord
- Dismemberment or amputation
- Severe burns
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Eye injury
- Injury causing loss of hearing
- Crush injury
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Repetitive motion and repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fatal injuries, which may result in survivor benefits as well as wrongful death claims against third parties
You may have been struck by a falling object or injured by a piece of defective or malfunctioning heavy work machinery. Your injuries may have happened in an accident while driving a company vehicle that was in need of repair or not properly maintained. Your claim may have started as a workers’ compensation claim but grew into a third-party claim with multiple defendants who could be considered liable for the harm done to you.
Whatever your unique situation, our law firm’s experience and reputation for results make us uniquely qualified to represent you.
How Much Does Workers’ Compensation Pay In Pennsylvania?
The amount of workers’ comp benefits varies depending on your wages, the extent of your injuries and whether you’re able to work at all. Your wage benefits will be a percentage of your wages, based on your income bracket, up to a certain weekly maximum. For workers earning less money, your weekly wage benefits will be a higher percentage of your income than those who earn more. These amounts also change annually.
The duration of your benefits depends on the percentage of your impairment. Earning capacity can be a contested issue in workers’ comp claims, why is why it’s critical to work with an experienced lawyer.
In fatal work accident cases, survivors are entitled to a percentage of their loved one’s earning, which varies based on the number of dependents. Survivors can also get compensation for funeral and burial expenses.
Contact Us For Help With Your Workplace Injury | Free Consultation
To arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your workplace injuries and your legal options, call 717-264-2096. You can also contact our law firm online. You can discuss the details of your workplace injury in complete confidence and get the facts you need to recover from your injury and move forward with your life. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys represent workers in Chambersburg, Franklin County and throughout central Pennsylvania.
We take all cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. In addition, we also advance all costs of litigation, such as deposition costs, filing fees and expert witness fees. Even if we are not successful in obtaining money damages for you, you are not responsible for those costs.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
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