What's Your Question?
What is workers' compensation?
Workers' compensation is a type of insurance employers are legally required to provide to their employees if they are hurt or become sick on the job and cannot work. If you are injured at work, workers' compensation provides wage loss benefits and medicals for the injury.
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Am I automatically eligible for workers' compensation in Pennsylvania?
No. You need to take action to obtain workers' compensation benefits in Pennsylvania. You will not automatically receive them just because you sustained an injury at work and require medical treatment.
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Do I need to apply for workers' compensation?
Yes. You must notify your employer that you sustained an injury at work in order to be eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits. Your employer must then notify the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation about your injury.
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How much time do I have to apply for workers' compensation?
You have up to 120 days to tell your employer you got hurt at work and you want to receive workers' compensation benefits, according to the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act. But just because you can wait 120 days to report your work-related illness or injury does not mean you should do so. Immediate notice of the injury to the employer is crucial. The sooner you report your health issue, the better.
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What expenses does workers' compensation cover?
Workers' compensation provides benefits to injured workers following work-related injuries:
- Wage Loss, total or partial wage benefits
- Medical expenses
- Scarring compensation
- 'Loss of use' benefits
- Death benefits
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Who decides if I'm eligible for workers' compensation in Pennsylvania?
Several people decide whether or not you will receive workers' compensation benefits. First, your employer will have a say as to whether they think you're injured and eligible for such benefits. Then, your employer's insurance company can and will affect whether you receive such benefits. A doctor selected by your employer or your employer's insurance company can also dramatically influence whether you receive such benefits. That's why it's important that you talk to an attorney about your case as soon as possible.
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How soon will I receive workers' compensation after I apply?
After you notify your employer you have been hurt at work, your employer has up to 21 days to support or deny your claim and issue a Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable or a Notice of Compensation Payable. Once a doctor has examined you and verified you have a work-related medical condition, you may then receive workers' compensation benefits.
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How long will I receive workers' compensation benefits?
Pennsylvania does not have any set time limits for how long you can receive workers' compensation benefits. For sustaining injuries, there are aspects under the law that allow workers' compensation carriers to limit/mitigate their legal and financial exposure to you. But just because you should does not guarantee that you will receive them. That's why it's important to talk to us as soon as possible about your case.
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What should I do if my workers' compensation benefits are terminated?
Contact our law firm immediately if you receive any of the following notices - a petition to suspend your benefits, petition to modify or petition to terminate. Such notices are often sent to injured workers if their employer or their employer's insurance company believes they are no longer injured and can return to work. If you disagree, we will vigorously defend your rights and fight to keep the benefits you are entitled to intact.
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Can I appeal a denied workers' compensation claim application?
Yes. You can and should appeal your denied application for workers' compensation benefits. We will file a Claim Petition or the appropriate petition with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation, where a Workers' Compensation Judge will decide on your petition. Our law firm can represent you throughout your claims process, from preparing your Claim Petition, collecting medical evidence, and preparing you for your testimony to, of course, appearing and being by your side in court.
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How can Vellner Law, PC help me with my workers' compensation case?
If you are trying to obtain workers' compensation benefits, you should be aware that your employer and your employer's insurance company will likely be represented by experienced attorneys.
Taking on an experienced workers' comp lawyer on your own can be extremely challenging and perhaps dangerous to your benefits. And if you don't succeed, you and your family could miss out on receiving financial compensation you rightfully deserve because of an injury from work.
We understand what's at stake. That's why we work so hard on workers' compensation cases throughout Lehigh Valley. We realize that your family's financial future could be on the line. That's why we want to work with you. We know how the system works and how to deliver results. It's what attorney Vellner has done since 1991. Contact us and schedule your free consultation.
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