Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Client Focused Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Helps Injured Hardworking People Recover for Harm They’ve Suffered on the Job
When you are injured on the job or come down with an occupational illness, the workers’ compensation system in Pittsburgh, PA is set up to provide you with defined benefits through your employer regardless of the cause of your work-related injury or illness. Unfortunately, you may find that your employer or its insurer refuses to accept your claim of a work injury or tries to deny you the full scope of benefits you believe you need and deserve. When that happens, the dedicated Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyers from Goodrich & Geist, P.C. can advocate for your rights and interests.
After a work accident, you deserve legal representation that provides you with a personalized attention and a compassionate approach during an understandably difficult time in your life. Our firm will stand up for you and won’t back down when workers’ compensation insurance companies try to deny you the benefits you need or your employer tries to force you back to work when you are still recovering from your work injury or occupational illness.
Get Free Advice From An Experienced Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation Attorney. All You Have To Do Is Call 412-837-8426 or Fill Out Our Free Case Evaluation Form.
Contact us if you’ve suffered a work injury or occupational illness to speak with a Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyer about your legal rights and options for obtaining benefits from the workers’ compensation system for your injury or illness.
Types of Accidents That Can Lead to a Workers’ Compensation
While some industries and professions can seem more dangerous than others, accidents can happen in any line of work, from construction to retail and office work. Examples of accidents that can happen in many kinds of professions and lead to an injured worker being entitled to pursue a workers’ comp claim include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falls from heights
- Defective product accidents
- Auto accidents
- Crush accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Electrocutions
- Toxic exposure
- Assaults
Steps to Take after Suffering a Work-Related Injury or Illness
If you have been injured on the job, you should act quickly to secure your rights and options for pursuing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits for your injury or occupational illness. These steps should include:
- Report a work accident and your injury or occupational illness to your employer. By notifying your employer that you may have a potential workers’ compensation claim, your employer can initiate the claims process with its workers’ compensation insurer. The more quickly you notify your employer of your injuries, it makes it more likely that you will begin promptly receiving benefits. Moreover, if you wait too long to notify your employer that you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, you run the risk that you may render yourself ineligible for some or all the benefits you are entitled to.
- You should also try to document the accident scene or scene of your injury as soon as possible. This includes taking photos of what may have caused your injury and the surrounding area where your injury occurred. If you wait too long to document the scene, critical details may end up being lost over time.
- Seek medical attention for your work injury as soon as possible as well. Normally you have the right to choose your own treating provider, although under certain circumstances your employer may have the right to direct you to choose from a list of approved providers to have your care covered by workers’ compensation. When you see a treating provider, you should inform them that your injury or illness is work-related.
- Remember to follow all treatment and recommendations from your provider. If you delay or defer treating your work injury or occupational illness, your employer may argue that you were not injured or as seriously injured as you claim. Your employer may then seek to terminate your workers’ compensation benefits and require you to return to work, even if you don’t feel healthy enough to do so.
- If your employer refuses to process your workers’ compensation claim or denies you benefits you believe you are entitled to, you should speak to an experienced Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help you file a formal workers’ compensation claim with the state to secure benefits from your employer.
What a Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation Lawyer from Goodrich & Geist, P.C. Can Do You Help You Secure the Benefits You Deserve
If you are having difficulty getting workers’ compensation benefits from your employer that you think you are entitled to under Pennsylvania law, or if your employer or its workers’ comp insurer has denied your injury claim outright, turn to a Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyer at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. to help you pursue a formal claim and secure the financial benefits you need for your recovery from a work-related injury or illness.
With more than five decades of combined legal experience representing injured workers, you can expect that our Pittsburgh PA Accident Attorneys will:
- Investigate your work accident to secure evidence we can use to prove that your injury or illness arose in the course and scope of your work.
- Work with your treating providers to understand the scope of your injuries to ensure that we are pursuing the benefits you need and deserve.
- Filing a formal workers’ compensation claim with the state when your employer or its insurer will not pay the benefits you are entitled to under the workers’ compensation system.
- Representing you during claim petition hearings.
- Negotiating with your employer to secure a workers’ compensation settlement where appropriate.
- Pursuing your rights in court when necessary to fight for the financial benefits you need.
$Confidential Recovery
Personal Injury
$Confidential Verdict
Medical Malpractice
$Confidential Settlement
Auto Accident
Contact Our Firm for a Free Case Review to Learn More about Your Rights and Options Under the Workers’ Compensation System in Pittsburgh
If you’ve suffered an injury or illness due to your work, you may be entitled to receive financial benefits through the workers’ compensation system in PA. A Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure that you are provided with the full scope of benefits and compensation you deserve. Call or contact Goodrich & Geist, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation to go over how our firm can help you when you are having difficulty getting the compensation you need after suffering a work-related injury or illness.
Find Out What Your Case Is Worth – Call 412-837-8426 or Fill Out Our Free Case Evaluation Form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania
When you’ve been injured in a work accident, you should be able to rely upon the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system to keep your family financially secure. However, it’s not uncommon for workers to encounter problems trying to get their fair benefits. At Goodrich & Geist, P.C., our dedicated workers’ compensation lawyers are here to advocate for your right to fair compensation.
Below are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the workers’ compensation system in Pennsylvania. If you have been injured on the job in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in Western Pennsylvania, call the dedicated injury lawyers at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. today to learn more about how we can help.
Almost all injuries that occur at work give you the right to receive workers’ compensation under Pennsylvania law. In addition, injuries and illnesses that occur because of performing your job over time also qualify. In other words, injuries like repetitive stress injuries and occupational diseases also give you the right to benefits.
Although workers’ compensation covers nearly all work-related injuries, some exclusions include:
– Self-inflicted injuries,
– Injuries sustained in accidents caused by alcohol or drug use,
– Certain injuries stemming from illegal actions,
– Injuries sustained by someone who was not an employee at the time of the accident (independent contractors),
– Injuries sustained while commuting to or from work.
On your first day of work. There is no waiting period before workers’ compensation coverage becomes effective.
Yes. Even employers who employ only a single worker are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance under Pennsylvania law.
You become eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits if your doctor has said you cannot work for at least 7 days. Once you have missed work for 14 days, you will begin to receive benefits (including benefits for the first 7-day period).
Your benefits should include compensation for your medical expenses and a percentage of your lost wages (about 2/3 of your average weekly wages, subject to a maximum benefit cap).
You should begin to receive payments after about 21 days have passed (from the date you notified your employer of the injury).
Yes and no. If your pre-existing injury or condition was aggravated by your job, you can still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. On the other hand, if your injury was simply sustained outside of work and not made worse because of your work, benefits will not be available.
No. As long as the accident happened while you were at work, you are eligible for benefits—regardless of who caused the accident.
Yes. While you technically have 120 days to report your accident and injuries to your employer or supervisor, you should do so immediately. Beginning from the date you sustained your injury, you have three years to file your formal claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
Yes. In this situation, you should contact a workers’ compensation lawyer right away. Your lawyer can help you file your claim. While you will likely be required to appear before a judge to secure your right to benefits, we can help you through the entire process.
While you cannot sue your employer (or a co-worker) for additional compensation, you may be able to sue a third party. If a non-employer caused your accident, we can file a third-party claim to recover additional compensation, which may include:
– Any lost wages not covered by workers’ compensation,
– Pain and suffering,
– Emotional distress,
– Medical expenses,
– And more.
If you are able to return to work but are earning less, you can continue to receive partial disability benefits. However, those benefits will be reduced (they will equal about 2/3 of the difference between what you made before and what you are earning in the new position). If you are paid the same amount (or more) as before the injury, your workers’ compensation benefit payments will be terminated.
Your healthcare provider will submit all bills to the workers’ compensation insurance company. Importantly, you aren’t required to pay any type of co-pays, out-of-pocket expenses or deductibles to get medical treatment for your work injury.
A utilization review is basically a challenge to some of the medical care you are receiving. If you receive notice of a utilization review, it is important to contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you advocate for your right to continue receiving the care recommended by your doctor.
An IME is short for “independent medical examination”. An IME is conducted by a physician who your employer pays to evaluate your medical condition. Your employer is generally entitled to require your cooperation in attending the IME, but you should still speak with a lawyer before doing so.
Schedule a Free Case Review with our Pittsburgh, PA Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system can be complex. You may be asked to provide information at any point or might even receive a notice that your benefits are being denied. Speaking with an experienced Pittsburgh-area workers’ compensation lawyer is the best way to make sure you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve.
At Goodrich & Geist, P.C., our lawyers are here to help. To tell us what happened in your work accident, call our office or contact us online to schedule a no-cost consultation today.
