Why Having the Best Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Greensburg, PA, is Important for Your Case
Workers’ compensation can seem very foreign to you if you have never dealt with PA work injury law before. However, it can feel daunting to get a claim together by yourself when you are injured. Pennsylvania law states that most employees have the right to make a workers’ compensation (WC) claim, regardless of their industry, if they are injured or sickened while they are working.
While there are a few exceptions, you are unlikely to fall into that category. Speaking with a dedicated workers’ compensation lawyer can make the comp claim process less overwhelming and confusing. To ensure you get the compensation you deserve after your work-related injury, you will want to consult with the best workers’ comp lawyer in Greensburg, PA.
At Westmoreland Injury Lawyers, we have helped injured workers just like you get through the workers’ comp process. If you have a claim you are waiting to file or have already filed and received a denial, we can help.
What Is Workers’ Compensation and How Do I File?
We’ve covered this topic extensively on another blog, so you can read that piece if you’d like some more detail on the subject. Despite what many people believe, workers’ compensation is an insurance claim, not the act of suing your employer.
Many employers have workers’ compensation insurance to cover the cost of their employees’ injuries. However, even if they do not have that coverage, you may still be able to make a WC claim because of Pennsylvania’s laws around workers’ rights. When filing for workers’ comp, you must follow specific steps for the process to go smoothly.
- Alert your employer to your injury. Tell your employer about your injury as soon as it happens is ideal, but you have up to 120 days to report the incident. Telling them will begin the entire workers’ comp process. Do not feel embarrassed to speak up, even if you think the injury is mild or won’t hurt your work performance. If you do not report the injury and it gets worse, you may lose your entitlement to workers’ comp for that injury.
- Get medical attention. Depending on the type of injury, you may need to get medical attention before telling your employer about the injury. That is okay, as you should always prioritize your health, and sometimes you have no control over getting medical treatment. For example, should you pass out at work and be rushed to the hospital, you will likely receive medical care before you can formally alert your employer to the injury.
- File your workers’ comp claim. Once your employer has been alerted to your injury, they should file your information with a First Report of Injury to the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation.
Following the filing of your claim, you will either be approved or denied of the claim. In the best-case scenario, you will begin to receive benefits after your claim is approved. Unfortunately, there are some cases where the claim is approved, and the claimant still needs to defend their rights at some point while they are being paid out.
This process can be frustrating or emotionally overstimulating, so it is wise to consult with the best workers’ comp lawyer you can, so you do not have to go through this alone.
Why Work with A Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
When it comes to this kind of claim, working with the best workers’ comp lawyer can significantly impact your case’s outcome. Even though this is a standard process, and there are well-defined steps to take to file the claim, it does not mean this will be simple and easy to navigate.
Circumstances can come up to change how you approach the suit, like understanding how a workers’ comp claim influences a disability claim, or vice versa if you have become totally disabled from your work-related injury. Or you may find yourself in a situation where you feel you need to sue your employer because they intentionally caused harm to you on the job. This kind of injury is called intentional tort and should be approached with a lawyer on your side.
PA work injury law is complex and requires years of expertise, like the lawyers of Westmoreland Injury Lawyers possess. A general lawyer may say they can help with your case but choosing an expert in PA’s workers’ compensation law will benefit you. Working with the best workers’ comp lawyer for your circumstances can increase your chances of getting the money you deserve from your employer’s WC insurance carrier. We can also help you navigate scenarios like a claim denial, your return to work, or lawsuits involving your employer.
What Happens if My Workers’ Comp Claim is Denied?
After you’ve been injured on the job and done all the work of filing a claim you believe you should be approved, you may still receive a denial. If your WC claim is denied, do not panic, as this may just be a bump in the road. The denial notice should have listed the procedure for contesting the denied claim. You are entitled to challenge the denial, and, in most cases, your lawyer will suggest you do that.
Working with a WC lawyer from the start of your claim process is ideal, but it is never too late to get a lawyer involved. Even if you’ve waited until your claim was denied, a lawyer is a valuable resource. When you work with our lawyers, we will help you file your petition and be on your side through the rest of the process.
Need Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Case?
The workers’ compensation process can feel emotionally draining and overwhelming, especially if you’ve never filed a claim before. For help from the best workers’ comp lawyer in Greensburg, PA, turn to Westmoreland Injury Lawyers. We have the expertise and knowledge to help you navigate your case, and we have an exceptional record of positive results for our clients. Get in touch with us today if you have a workers’ comp case you would like us to review.
