Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Lawyer

You must report your work-related injury immediately to a person in supervisory authority at your place of employment. You have 120 days to report your work injury properly. But, telling a coworker is not good enough to meet the reporting requirements. Also, the sooner you report your injury to your employer, the more likely your claim will be accepted. Any delay in reporting a PA Worker’ Compensation injury will be considered as suspect and could likely prompt denial of the claim. Let us review your Workers Compensation claim for free.

The Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act allows an injured worker to file a claim within three years of the date of injury. This is known in legal terms as a statute of limitations. However, if the injury is not clear to the injured worker as being work-related, then the statute of limitations may be extended and the clock will not start ticking until the injured worker is informed by their doctor that their injury or condition is related to their work activity. Let us review your Workers Compensation claim for free.

If an injured worker pursues a PA Workers Compensation claim and is subsequently fired for reasons that occurred before the work injury, the law presumes that the firing was in “retaliation” for having filed the claim. This means that the employer may not avail themselves of any defenses as to job availability when defending the Workers’ Compensation action by arguing that the firing prevented any future job offers by the employer. Let us review your Workers Compensation claim for free.

Pennsylvania is an “at-will” employment state. This means that absent a contract for employment, an employer may fire an employee for any reason as long the reason is not based on a violation of federal and state laws that provide protection for certain classes of individuals such as the disabled, a person’s race, or religion. Being fired for the specific reason of having filed a Workers’ Comp claim against your employer is simply wrong and a violation of state and federal law. An action for retaliation may be brought against the employer. Also, the retaliatory firing will provide no defense for the employer attempting to argue that your Workers’ Compensation benefits should be denied because of any fault of the employee. Let us review your Workers Compensation claim for free.

In Pennsylvania, if a worker is injured as a result of tripping, slipping, or electrical shocks they may be entitled to PA workers’ compensation benefits. Those most at risk for tripping or slipping on the job include construction workers, retail workers, and workers in the restaurant/food industry. These instances often occur in situations where a mess is not mopped up or when something is left out in the middle of the workspace. Those that are most at risk of being electrocuted include electricians, engineers, constructions workers, and maintenance workers.

When working with electricity on the job, it is important to remain safe. All equipment should be thoroughly inspected, all workers should be properly trained, and all people working in an unfamiliar territory should have a map with the location of all electrical hazards. All hazards should be labeled as well.

In Pennsylvania, if a worker gets in a car accident as a result of a work-related errand or trip, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Car accidents can occur in difficult weather conditions and are common on business trips and errands. Furthermore, an injury that occurs when an employee is required to travel outside of their normal work route (for example, to attend a conference) is most likely covered by Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits.

On-the-job injuries caused by equipment, whether it be faulty, broken or not, are covered by Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits as well. On the job site, it is important that all equipment is regularly inspected and kept in safe, working condition. Often, workers that receive injuries as a result of faulty equipment work in the construction, mining, hydrofracking, landscaping, or maintenance industry. It is the responsibility of your employer to provide you with safe, reliable tools to use.

In Pennsylvania, workers who injure their backs, necks, heads, or shoulders on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Some of the most common careers that can lead to back, neck and shoulder injuries include physical labor jobs such as construction work, landscaping, maintenance, and hydrofracking, as well as less physical jobs such as office work and retail. The best ways to avoid these injuries on the job include using proper lifting technique, sitting with proper ergonomics, and wearing proper safety equipment. It is also important that workers stretch often and take plenty of breaks.

A concussion is a type of head injury brought on by an action that shakes the brain inside the skull. Concussion symptoms include difficulty thinking or concentrating, being unable to remember new information, headaches, blurry vision, nausea or vomiting, exhaustion, dizziness, sensitivity to light, trouble keeping balance, and sudden emotional changes. Concussions often occur on the job site when someone slips, is hit by a falling object, or falls from a high distance. Concussions can be avoided by following proper safety procedures.

In Pennsylvania, if you receive an ankle, foot, or knee injury as a result of a work-related incident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Foot and ankle injuries often occur when workers fall, slip, or trip. One of the most common ways to avoid ankle and foot injuries is to quickly clean up all spills, keep all debris out of the workplace floor, and wear slip-resistant shoes.

Common jobs that can cause knee injuries include physical labor jobs such as landscaping, maintenance, and hydrofracking. To avoid knee injuries on the job, it’s important to lift using proper technique and also to take plenty of breaks and stretch often.

In Pennsylvania, workers who suffer carpal tunnel syndrome or other strain-related injuries are entitled to Pennsylvania workers compensation benefits. Those who often work with vibrating equipment such as jackhammers and sanders, as well those who routinely perform activities that involve repetitive or forceful hand/wrist movements such as hammering or typing are susceptible to carpal tunnel.

Repetitive strain injuries occur when someone repetitively performs a task that damages one or more parts of the body. Some examples include working with vibrating equipment, sitting in uncomfortable positions, bending over, heavy lifting, and typing. Some of the most common conditions associated with repetitive strain injuries include tendinitis, hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder/rotator cuff injuries, herniated discs, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, as well as chronic neck, back, and joint pain. Symptoms include sore muscles, hurting joints, cramps, stiffness, tingling, and numbness.

To prevent repetitive strain injuries from taking place, it is best to change tools/grips, stretch regularly, take breaks, wear proper safety equipment, work with proper ergonomics, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and utilize proper lifting technique.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. This can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the chest, and wheezing. This condition is believed to be inherited genetically. Many employers will refuse to cover asthma treatments by claiming that, since the employee had asthma before starting the job, it is not the employer’s responsibility. This, however, is not true. Asthma is covered by Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits. If asthma is worsened/aggravated due to a working environment, it falls under the category of aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Aggravation of pre-existing conditions includes a former injury and/or illness being worsened or brought back because of working conditions.

Those most at risk for experiencing work-related asthma symptoms usually work jobs that involve lots of movement, fumes, and chemicals. Common workplaces include paper mills, gas drill sites, hydrofracking sites, chemical plants, and constructions sites. Those that work around fumes need to wear proper respiratory protection. This includes both masks and goggles. Also, anyone with asthma, regardless of how long it has been “under control”, should have an inhaler available at the jobsite at all times.