Wilkes-Barre Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Workers’ Compensation insurance is designed to provide financial support to those who have sustained work-related illnesses and injuries. Most employers are required to purchase this coverage for their employees. Moreover, claimants are not required to prove that others are to blame for their injuries in order to recover monetary benefits.

Still, employers and their insurance companies may look for reasons to reject Workers’ Compensation claims. For instance, claims may be denied because of filing errors or insufficient evidence. If you were hurt on the job in Wilkes-Barre, we can help file your claim and ensure that your interests are protected.

Get assistance from our Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Specialists at Cardamone Law by dialing (267) 651-7945.

Common Examples of Work-Related Injuries in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Whether your job duties are performed at a desk, at a construction site, or behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are susceptible to workplace injuries. These injuries can come in many different forms. Thankfully, our Workers’ Compensation attorneys can help claimants acquire the benefits related to any of the following:

Broken Bones

Broken and fractured bones are common workplace injuries from accidents like falls, vehicle collisions, and machinery mishaps. These injuries can vary in severity, from minor fractures requiring minimal treatment to complex fractures necessitating surgery and prolonged rehabilitation.

Many workers who suffer broken bones are prevented from returning to their jobs until their injuries are mostly healed. However, in especially severe cases, those with broken bones may be permanently restricted from performing their pre-injury work duties.

Chemical Exposure Injuries

Chemical exposure injuries can happen in workplaces where employees come into contact with hazardous substances such as corrosive chemicals, solvents, or toxins. Chemical exposure can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, burns, organ damage, or long-term health effects, depending on the type and duration of exposure. Prompt decontamination and medical treatment are essential to minimize the impact of chemical exposures and prevent further harm.

Workers’ Compensation benefits can provide financial assistance for ongoing rehabilitation therapies and support services, helping individuals manage the long-term effects of chemical exposure and regain their quality of life.

Spinal Cord Damage

Also, spinal cord injuries are regularly suffered by victims of on-the-job accidents. Such injuries may negatively affect mobility and sensory functions below the injury site. In especially severe cases, victims may experience complete paralysis. Accordingly, those who suffer spinal cord damage typically require extensive medical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can result from many different workplace accidents. These injuries can have significant consequences, ranging from temporary cognitive impairments to long-term neurological deficits that impact one’s cognitive abilities.

For workers with brain injuries, Workers’ Compensation benefits are often used to pay for specialized medical treatments focused on cognitive rehabilitation, speech therapy, and neurological care.

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are common in workplaces where employees perform repetitive tasks or maintain awkward postures for extended periods. Some examples of repetitive strain injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and bursitis. These injuries usually develop gradually over time and can cause pain, stiffness, weakness, and loss of function in affected areas.

Repetitive strain injuries have a nagging ability to keep people away from work. Accordingly, employees who suffer such harm must consider their eligibility for Workers’ Compensation benefits.

Torn Ligaments

Torn ligaments typically occur because of sudden twists, impacts, or overextension during workplace activities. These injuries can cause significant pain, instability, and limitations in movement. Those who incur torn ligaments often need surgical operations followed by extensive rehabilitation to regain function.

Internal Organ Damage

Internal organ damage may result from workplace accidents involving blunt force trauma, crush injuries, or penetrating wounds. Internal injuries may not always be immediately apparent but can lead to serious complications if left untreated. If you believe you may have suffered an internal organ injury at work, then you must report the injury and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Burns

Burn injuries can occur in workplace settings where exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, or flames is prevalent. Depending on their severity, burns can involve various complications ranging from minor skin irritation to life-threatening tissue damage.

Treatment for burns may involve wound care, skin grafting, and rehabilitation to manage pain and prevent complications. In some cases, workers who undergo such treatments must spend a significant period of time in recovery.

Electrical Injuries

Furthermore, many electrical injuries happen in occupations involving electrical work, construction, or maintenance of electrical systems. These injuries can cause burns, cardiac issues, neurological damage, and even death. Those who develop symptoms like cardiac issues and neurological damage may be permanently restricted from performing their pre-injury tasks.

Lacerations

Lacerations, or cuts, are common workplace injuries caused by sharp objects, machinery, tools, or equipment. Depending on the depth and location of the laceration, they may require stitches, wound care, and monitoring for potential complications such as infection or nerve damage. Workers who perform manual labor are especially prone to incurring lost income as a result of severe lacerations.

Facial and Dental Injuries

Facial and dental injuries can occur in workplace accidents involving falls, collisions, or impacts with objects. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to fractures of the facial bones or damage to teeth and soft tissues. Individuals who incur particularly serious facial and dental injuries may have to undergo costly medical treatment in order to minimize scarring and disfigurement.

Psychological Trauma

Finally, workers can develop psychological trauma as a result of their workplace accidents. For instance, victims of such accidents may experience emotional distress, flashbacks, nightmares, or difficulty functioning in daily life. Thankfully, psychological trauma is another type of injury that is covered under Workers’ Compensation.

When Can Your Employer Terminate Your Lost Wage Benefits in Wilkes Barre, PA?

Employers or insurers may terminate wage-loss benefits if they obtain evidence that you have resumed employment. Additionally, during the initial 90 days following the injury report, if you are receiving temporary compensation benefits, the insurance carrier or employer reserves the right to cease benefits if they contest the claim’s validity.

There are various other circumstances under which benefits may cease, including instances where a Workers’ Compensation judge intervenes and halts benefits following a hearing. Further, if you sign either a supplemental agreement or an agreement to discontinue Workers’ Compensation, commonly known as a “final receipt,” then your benefits may be halted. Finally, the expiration of the 500-week period for partial disability status can also result in your benefits running out.

Our Law Firm Can Provide Assistance with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Wilkes-Barre, PA

If you were hurt at work in Wilkes-Barre, seek support from our Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Specialists by calling Cardamone Law at (267) 651-7945.