You should be able to get Workers’ Comp in Flourtown, even if you accidentally hurt yourself on the job. Worker Comp is a safety net for employees and offers a streamlined path to getting their lost wages and medical damages covered. Benefits aren’t guaranteed, however, and employees can rely on us for help navigating their claims.
You can receive Workers’ Comp if you are unable to work for seven or more consecutive days due to a work-related injury or illness. Claimants can expect some of their income to be compensated by Workers’ Comp, and for all their medical bills to be handled. You should hear a response about your claim within about 21 days, and our lawyers can send the medical and other evidence the provider needs for a speedy approval process.
For a free case review from the Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Lawyers of Cardamone Law, call us today at (267) 651-7945.
When Do You Get Workers’ Comp in Flourtown?
You may be eligible for Work Comp after sustaining an on-the-job injury or illness that prevents you from working in Pennsylvania. You must be unable to work for at least seven days to get benefits, though you should be covered by your employer’s policy even on your first day of employment.
Employers with one or more employees need Workers’ Comp in Pennsylvania to cover injuries employees sustain while operating within the scope of their employment, which looks different from job to job.
Why Do Workers’ Comp Claims Get Denied?
Insurers deny Workers’ Comp claims for several reasons. Although Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania is no-fault, insurers might deny claims for certain conduct by the injured employee.
One of the most common reasons insurers deny claims is that they do not have sufficient evidence that the injury occurred within the scope of your employment. This is a fundamental aspect of any Workers Compn case, and something we can prove with eyewitness statements from other employees and surveillance footage placing you at your workplace.
Pennsylvania also lets insurers deny Workers’ Comp benefits for the following reasons:
- Alcohol use
- Drug use
- Intentional injury
- Illegal activity
This is also something we can disprove with strong evidence, like statements from peers in your workplace and even medical records from your trip to the emergency room for a severe injury.
What Payments Can You Expect from Workers’ Comp?
You can expect compensation for some, but not all, of your lost wages, as well as compensation for all medical expenses.
Your physicians can bill the Workers’ Comp carrier directly for treatments, all of which the insurer should cover. This alleviates a lot of the stress of worrying about organizing and paying medical bills yourself.
Claimants completely unable to work get about 2/3 of their Average Weekly Wage from before the incident. If you can work in some capacity, you will get 2/3 of the difference between your pre- and post- injury wages. Benefits are subject to state maximums and minimums, and our lawyers can see if this affects your payments. The length of the benefit period depends on the claimant’s disability and whether their condition is expected to improve or not.
You can also expect “specific loss” payments for sustaining the following injuries:
- Amputation/loss
- Permanent lost function
- Significant facial scarring
- Lost hearing
- Lost vision
If you qualify, you should get 2/3 of your lost wages, also subject to maximums and minimums. The length of time you receive specific loss payments depends on your particular injury.
How Long Does it Take to Process Workers’ Comp Claims in Flourtown?
Preferably, employees should report injuries to employers within 21 days. If an employee does not report the injury within 120 days, they can’t seek Workers’ Comp. When informed of an injury, an employer must then inform their insurance carrier. Once that happens, the insurer has a set timeframe for processing the Workers Comp claim in Pennsylvania.
You should expect to hearing something from the Workers’ Comp insurer within 21 days of your initial report. Some claims are processed even sooner than that, especially when supported by clear evidence that the claimant is disabled and became disabled because of a work-related injury. Let us provide thorough medical records, corroborating witness statements, and even video surveillance footage that clearly shows you were injured while operating within the scope of your employment and not because of your own intentional conduct.
Insurers sometimes only agree to pay benefits temporarily within 21 days, giving themselves an additional 90 days to investigate the claim, at which point they might it.
If it’s been more than three weeks and we have yet to hear back from the insurance provider, contact our lawyers to file a Claim Petition and bring your case before a Workers’ Comp Judge.
Do You Need a Workers’ Comp Lawyer for Your Claim?
Some injured workers assume they do not need a lawyer to file a Workers’ Comp claim. Workers’ Comp is not a simple system to navigate, and your employer’s carrier has an incentive to deny claims so it does not have to pay benefits. Let us handle your case entirely, including communicating with the insurance provider and providing whatever information it requires.
Suppose you did not have our attorneys by your side when you initially filed your claim, and it was denied. In that case, we can ardently pursue a Claim Petition on your behalf
Filing a Claim Petition for a Workers’ Comp decision you disagree with is often even more complicated than initially seeking benefits, and our attorneys can make sure you are prepared and present for all mandatory hearings. You may still get benefits if the insurer denies your initial claim, so do not give up.
Let Us Handle Your Workers’ Comp Claim in Flourtown
Call the Workers’ Comp lawyers of Cardamone Law for help with your case at (267) 651-7945.
