Chambersburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workers in and around Chambersburg, PA often need to file their cases as Workers’ Compensation claims after a workplace injury.  Laws preventing lawsuits against employers typically make this the sole remedy for injured workers, but the system can be confusing at best and challenging at worst.

Our attorneys handle work injury claims through Workers’ Compensation for injured workers across the Commonwealth, working to get them the benefits needed to keep moving forward after an injury.  Focus on your recovery and allow our attorneys to handle the ins and outs of a Workers’ Comp claim on your behalf.

For a free case assessment, call the Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Specialists from Cardamone Law right away at (267) 651-7945.

Why to File Through Workers’ Comp After a Work Injury in Chambersburg

If you were hurt at work, your only option for recovering damages might be to file a Workers’ Compensation claim.  Many work injuries involve accidents where no one is liable in a lawsuit, and even where lawsuits might be allowed, it might be difficult to sue the right parties.  As such, our Workers’ Compensation lawyers focus on helping victims pursue the compensation and benefits they should be entitled to under the Workers’ Compensation system.

Lawsuits are typically not allowed against an employer.  This means that if your employer did cause your injuries at work, you cannot sue them in most cases.  Instead, you are entitled to file your claim through Workers’ Comp to get benefits.

Workers’ Comp pays benefits for any work-related injuries, whether they were accidental or caused by someone’s negligence.  However, the question of who was at fault does not come into the case except to bar claims where the victim intentionally injured themselves or caused the accident through being drunk or under the influence of other drugs.

What this means is that you can get compensation through Workers’ Comp even if you caused your own accident.  You would never be able to sue anyone for an injury you caused by accident, but Workers’ Comp still allows those claims to go through.

While you cannot sue your employer, you might still be able to sue other people/companies for certain injuries.  However, proving that they were involved might be difficult and require evidence that you do not have.  Additionally, those lawsuits could take time and result in much more expensive cases and legal fees that outweigh any additional benefits or damages you might claim through those cases.

Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Specialist for a Chambersburg Work Injury Case

Lawyers are not typically allowed to advertise themselves as “specialists,” but some of our attorneys have special certifications in Workers’ Compensation law that allow us to do this.  Our firm exclusively handles Workers’ Compensation cases, making that the core focus of our practice.  We have also sought official certifications requiring additional testing and experience in this field to qualify to call ourselves Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Specialists.

Other law firms without this certification do not have the same training and experience that we do, and we put all of that training and experience to use in our clients’ cases.  By having this certification, we have proven that we know what we are doing, that we know how to file and carry out many of the legal actions involved in these claims and appeals, and that we have the technical understanding to fight insurance carriers and employers who deny workers the benefits they are entitled to.

What Benefits Does Workers’ Comp Cover in Chambersburg, PA?

Workers’ Compensation covers two major areas of benefits: medical expenses and wage-loss benefits.  In addition, there might be special benefits paid to workers who lost a limb or lost function in a body part, as well as benefits paid to the families of workers killed on the job.

Medical Benefits

If you were hurt at work, then any medical care to treat that injury should be covered under Workers’ Comp.  The cost of treatment can often grow quickly, even for somewhat moderate injuries.  Workers – especially those making minimum wage or below-average wages – can easily become unable to afford these medical bills, especially if they are no longer working.  As such, Workers’ Comp should cover this cost in full.

This coverage includes the cost of medical treatment at a hospital, as well as approved treatment under your treatment plan to continue to improve your condition through medication, follow-up visits, physical therapy, mental health therapy, and other services.

Wage-Loss Benefits

If your injury reduces your power to earn money going forward, Workers’ Compensation is supposed to make up for that.  While benefits do not include full reimbursement for your lost wages, most workers will recoup 2/3 of their lost wages.  Low-wage workers can even recoup up to 90%, depending on various income thresholds that are set annually.

There is also a cap on these benefits, capping your weekly Workers’ Comp wage-loss benefits at the state-wide average weekly wage.  In 2024, this limit is $1,325.

These benefits should continue until you can return to work, reducing if you can return to part-time work.  Benefits usually stop when you are fully recovered.

Specific Loss

If your injury involves the loss of function in a body part or its total loss/amputation, then it might be considered a “specific loss” injury.  This includes things like the loss of a thumb, the loss of a hand, leg amputation, and other such injuries.

The understanding here is that your injury will heal over, but the loss is permanent, and you will never “fully recover.”  At the same time, employers do not want to pay benefits forever, as many amputees go on to work despite the amputation and live fruitful lives.

The result is a set number of weeks of benefits paid for the injury based on a “schedule” contained in the Workers’ Comp Act.  For example, loss of a hand pays 2/3 of your wages for 335 weeks, and amputation of a foot pays the same rate for 250 weeks.

Death Benefits

A loved one can never be replaced if they died in a work accident, but Workers’ Comp can pay your family to help you keep going.  This can include burial/funerary expenses as well as ongoing wage benefits for family members.

Call Our Workers’ Comp Lawyers in Chambersburg, PA Today

For assistance in your case, reach out to the Workers’ Comp attorneys at Cardamone Law at (267) 651-7945.