Workers Compensation Attorney
Leading Workers Comp Lawyer Based in Philadelphia
Workers’ compensation is a system of employer-funded insurance that provides medical, wage, and death benefits to injured workers and their families. Each state has its version of workers’ compensation. The workers’ compensation system is known as a “no-fault” system, which means that an injured worker does not have to prove that someone else caused their injury to obtain benefits. The no-fault nature of workers’ compensation also means that employers and coworkers typically do not have to worry about being sued.
It’s important to note that workers’ compensation is typically an exclusive remedy, meaning that in many cases, the only way a worker can recover from his employer for on-the-job injuries is by making a workers’ compensation claim. That said, you may still be able to file a lawsuit against any third parties that contributed to your injury.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Workers’ compensation addresses most workplace injuries and illnesses. In general, if you have an accident at work or suffer from an illness or disease as a result of your work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In addition to on-the-job mishaps and exposure to toxins, coverage extends to injuries that are caused by your company’s facilities, such as a faulty chair, injuries sustained during breaks or work-sponsored activities, and preexisting conditions that are aggravated as a result of your work.
Covered medical expenses typically include reasonable surgical and medical services provided by a physician; medical supplies; hospital stays; and orthopedic appliances or prostheses. Specific loss benefits may be paid when a worker loses all or part of a thumb, finger, hand, arm, leg, foot, or toe. Loss of sight or hearing and permanent scarring or disfigurement of the face, head, or neck are also covered by specific loss benefits. Finally, if an injury or illness results in a worker’s death, his or her dependents may be entitled to death benefits.
What Kind of Benefits Are Available to Me as Part of My Worker’s Compensation Claim?
Workers’ compensation provides for several types of monetary benefits. These include payments for:
- Lost wages,
- Medical care,
- Specific losses, and
- Death
If you are totally disabled and unable to work, or partially disabled and earning less than you did before your injury, you may be entitled to wage-loss benefits. These benefits pay about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a weekly maximum.
Unfortunately, benefits usually do not continue indefinitely. Your benefits may be stopped if your employer has evidence that you have returned to work at wages equal to or more than your prior earnings level. Your employer might also stop paying benefits if its insurance company thinks that you can return to work and have you evaluated by a doctor who supports a return to work. If you believe your benefits have been unfairly terminated, you are entitled to seek their reinstatement. Claims that are denied may be appealed through the workers’ compensation and state court systems. Contact Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Holloway immediately for help pursuing the benefits to which you are entitled.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Workers’ Comp Claim?
You may have heard that you are not required to have an attorney help you with your workers’ compensation claim. While this is true, you should know that the workers’ compensation system is complex and difficult to navigate. Further, the rising costs of workers’ compensation insurance are causing employers and their insurers to fight claims and pay out as little as possible.
We believe that injured workers should always seek the advice of a qualified attorney in pursuing claims and appeals. After all, your employer and your employer’s insurance carrier will always have an experienced attorney on their side. A skilled attorney from Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Holloway can level the playing field for you. We can explain your rights under the Workers’ Compensation Act, review your medical records, contact your healthcare providers, gather evidence, and represent you during hearings and appeals.
If you’ve already filed a claim and it has been denied, do not be discouraged. We can help, and we will ensure that your claim is presented in the best light possible to obtain the benefits you are owed. If you are not awarded benefits or do not continue to receive benefits, you don’t pay us a dime. We are only paid when we make a recovery on your behalf or successfully defeat a petition filed by your employer’s attorneys.
Contact Us to Hire a Workers Compensation Lawyer Near You
If you have been injured on the job or are suffering from a disease caused by a workplace hazard, do not delay in contacting one of the experienced attorneys at Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Holloway. We can help you determine whether you have a workers’ compensation claim. If you do, we will guide you through the claims process and pursue the maximum benefits that you are owed under the law. We can also review your existing benefits to determine whether you are receiving all the funds to which you are entitled. You should know that time is of the essence in workers’ compensation claims. If you fail to file your claim on time, you could forfeit your right to benefits.
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