Williamsport, PA Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

The goal of the Workers’ Compensation system we use in Pennsylvania is to get injured workers ongoing compensation for their injuries.  This system is designed to pay you for lost wages as well as any medical care needs you face because of an injury at work.  However, many workers do not know how to get their benefits or what to do if their employer puts up resistance.

Our attorneys specialize in Workers’ Compensation claims, devoting our whole practice to getting injured workers their benefits after a work injury.  We stand up to employers and insurance carriers, file actions in court to get your claim paid, and work to settle claims at the right value for your needs.

For a free review of your case, reach out to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Specialists at Cardamone Law today by calling (267) 651-7945.

Benefits Injured Workers Can Claim Through Workers’ Comp in Williamsport

If you get hurt at work and your injury was related to your job tasks, Workers’ Compensation rules in Pennsylvania require your employer (usually through an insurance carrier) to cover you.  This usually means our Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help you seek wage-loss or “indemnity” benefits as well as coverage for any medical bills related to your injury.

Wage-Loss and Specific Loss Benefits

When it comes to lost wages, your “indemnity” or “wage-loss” benefits might not pay 100% of your wages, but they will still cover a substantial portion of the money you are losing while your injuries keep you out of work.  Most workers are entitled to 66 2/3% of their lost wages, with benefits peaking at 90% of your wages if you earn under certain income limits.

The wages that you get are also capped so that no one can get more than the statewide average weekly wage from these benefits.  However, this can still pay up to $1,987.50 per week to injured workers in 2024.

With some injuries, wage-loss benefits are paid as “specific loss” benefits instead.  This is usually for concrete “loss” injuries, such as the amputation of a body part, the loss of an eye, or permanent loss of function in another body part.  Here, the assumption is that you will heal and be able to return to work at some level, so instead of haggling over when you are “better” – and whether you are truly “better,” given your permanent loss – the Workers’ Comp Act instead requires payment of a set number of weeks’ worth of benefits for specific injuries.

Medical Benefits

If you get hurt while doing your job, the Workers’ Comp Act puts the responsibility of paying for medical bills on your boss.  This means that any and all necessary medical costs should be covered in full, including the cost of medication, emergency treatment, surgeries, follow-up care, and more.

In the first 90 days, your employer can restrict which doctor(s) you use by posting a list of their chosen physicians.  There are requirements as to what kinds of doctors have to go on this list, but it usually will not include specialists.  This gives you some leeway to choose your own specialists, and these rules also allow you to get a second opinion when it comes to surgery.  However, after the 90 days are up, you can usually get treatment from any doctor of your choosing.

It is vital to follow all care plans, keep all appointments, and follow through with all care recommendations while getting medical care paid for under Workers’ Comp.  If you do not, the insurance carrier or your boss might try to get your benefits cut off by claiming that you are being uncooperative or that you are making your condition worse.  In many cases, you can seek outside treatment if you pay for it out of pocket, but if you want the treatment covered, there are rules to follow.

Benefits for the Family of Deceased Workers in Williamsport

Workers’ Comp primarily pays damages to injured workers while they are out of work, but it can also pay benefits to the families of workers who lose their lives in a work-related accident.  These benefits often change depending on how many dependents the worker has, including their spouse, children (including natural, step, and adoptive children), and other family members in their care.

Generally, the benefits for a deceased worker are paid as a percentage of the statewide average weekly wage rather than the wage the victim actually received.  If the only surviving dependent is the victim’s spouse, they will usually receive 50% of the average wage (which is set at $1,987.50 per week in 2024).  For a widow/widower with one child, the family receives 60%; with two or more children, the family receives 66 2/3%.

Every family situation is different, so definitely consult with a lawyer to determine your eligibility for benefits, whether you qualify as a “dependent” to receive benefits, what amounts you are owed, and how long these benefits should be paid for.

Fighting Uncooperative Employers for Workers’ Comp Benefits in Williamsport

If you notify your employer of your injuries and they stonewall you, try to tell you to get back to work, or otherwise try to block you from receiving benefits, our lawyers can help you press your case by taking it to court.  In many cases, employers will try to prevent you from getting your case heard in the first place, let alone use the legal mechanisms at their disposal to try to block your benefits from going through.  Our lawyers can use all of the tools in our legal toolbox to appeal denials, negotiate settlements, and otherwise fight your employer and their insurance carrier for the benefits you deserve.

Call Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Williamsport Today

Reach out to Cardamone Law today at (267) 651-7945 for a free case assessment with our experienced Workers’ Comp lawyers.