Hurt at work? Unsure about your rights? Get Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Philadelphia, PA
A serious workplace injury can do more than cause physical pain. It can threaten your paycheck, your family’s security, and your future. Medical bills start arriving. Lost wages add up. The insurance company calls. And suddenly you’re left asking:
- Am I entitled to workers’ compensation benefits?
- How do I file a workers’ compensation claim?
- What if the insurance company denies my claim?
- How much workers’ compensation can I receive?
I’m Larry Pitt. For more than 40 years, my law firm has protected injured workers throughout Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania. If you need a Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer, my team and I are here to help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and fight for the benefits you deserve.
Experienced Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Fighting for Injured Workers
Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, most employees in Philadelphia are covered if they suffer work-related injuries or occupational illnesses.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. That means injured employees can receive benefits even if the workplace accident was not the employer’s fault.
Our Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys represent:
- Construction workers
- Healthcare workers
- Union workers
- Police officers and firefighters
- Truck drivers
- Warehouse employees
- Restaurant and service industry workers
- Office employees
- Public employees
- Manufacturing workers
We represent workers in every industry who suffer a workplace injury, repetitive stress injury, occupational disease, or traumatic accident.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available in Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation typically provides:
Medical Benefits
Workers’ compensation covers reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury, including:
- Hospital bills
- Doctor visits
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Prescriptions
- Rehabilitation
- Ongoing medical care
If your injury requires extensive medical treatment, those medical expenses should be covered.
Wage Loss Benefits
If you cannot work due to your work injury, you may receive wage replacement.
Most injured workers receive approximately two-thirds (66.67%) of their average weekly wage, subject to minimum and maximum limits set by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.
Types of disability benefits include:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
If you return to work earning less due to restrictions, you may receive partial lost wages.
Specific Loss & Death Benefits
If a workplace accident results in permanent loss of use of a body part, amputation, or severe disfigurement, specific loss benefits may apply.
If a worker dies from severe injuries, surviving dependents may be eligible for death benefits under PA workers’ compensation law.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Philadelphia
If you were injured at work, follow these steps to protect your workers’ compensation claim:
1. Report the Injury Immediately
You must notify your employer of your work-related accident within 120 days. If you report within 21 days, you may receive retroactive benefits from the date of injury.
Failure to report timely can result in denial of benefits.
2. Seek Medical Treatment
Seek proper medical care immediately. A medical professional must document your work-related injuries.
Under the Pennsylvania 90-day rule, if your employer properly posts a panel list of doctors, you may be required to treat with a designated provider for the first 90 days.
3. Employer/Insurance Response
The employer or insurance company must issue a Notice of Compensation Payable or Notice of Compensation Denial within 21 days of notice of your injury.
4. If Your Claim Is Denied
If the insurance company denies your workers’ compensation claim, you have the right to file a claim petition and request a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge.
The workers’ compensation process can be complex. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can provide outstanding representation on your behalf before a workers’ comp judge and through the full appeals process if necessary.
How a Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
Many law firms can file legal paperwork. Fewer have experience litigating contested workers’ comp cases.
Our workers’ compensation lawyers:
- File and manage your work injury claim
- Gather medical evidence
- Handle calls from the insurance company
- Challenge denials
- Represent you before a workers’ compensation judge
- Negotiate lump-sum settlements
- Pursue third-party personal injury claims when applicable
Insurance companies sometimes offer early lump-sum settlements that do not reflect the full value of your workers’ comp case. Before signing anything, speak with a compensation lawyer who understands Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law.
Can You Sue Your Employer in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your employer.
However, if a third party caused your workplace accident — such as:
- A negligent driver
- A defective equipment manufacturer
- A construction site manager
- A property owner
— you may be able to file a third-party personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ comp claim.
Unlike workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit may allow recovery for pain and suffering.
Our law firm handles both workers’ compensation claims and third-party personal injury cases as needed.
How Much Do Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Charge in PA?
In Pennsylvania, attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases are typically capped at 20% of the wage loss benefits and must be approved by a workers’ comp judge.
Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers usually work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we secure benefits for you.
During your free consultation, we explain:
- How fees are calculated
- Whether costs are advanced
- Who will handle your case
Common Workplace Injuries in Philadelphia
Workers’ compensation covers many types of work injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Occupational illnesses
- Toxic exposure
- Overexertion injuries
- Slip and fall injuries
According to Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation data, overexertion remains one of the most common causes of workplace injury statewide.
Even aggravation of a pre-existing condition may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if work activities worsened the condition.
Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Protecting Your Benefits
Your workers’ compensation benefits can be modified, suspended, or terminated.
After 104 weeks of total disability, the insurance company may request an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE).
If a workers’ compensation judge determines you can return to work earning equal wages, your benefits may be stopped.
If you receive notice of modification or termination, contact a Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorney immediately to protect your rights.
PA Workers’ Compensation Claim FAQs
What Should I Avoid Saying to the Insurance Company?
Do not:
- Admit fault
- Minimize your injury
- Speculate about returning to work
- Provide recorded statements without legal advice
Insurance companies look for reasons to deny claims.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
While injuries must be reported within 120 days, a formal claim petition generally must be filed within three years of the date of injury.
What Is the 90-Day Rule?
If your employer provides a proper panel list, you must treat with one of the listed providers for 90 days.
Can I Get Social Security Disability and Workers’ Comp?
In some cases, injured workers may qualify for both workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability, although offsets may apply.
Why Choose Larry Pitt & Associates
For over four decades, Larry Pitt & Associates has represented Philadelphia workers in complex workers’ compensation cases.
We provide:
- Free consultations
- Contingency fee representation
- Direct attorney involvement
- Client-focused representation
- Experience litigating before workers’ comp judges
We fight to secure benefits, protect your best interests, and pursue proper compensation for your work-related injuries.
If you were injured at work in Philadelphia, PA, contact a Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer at Larry Pitt & Associates today.
If you are injured, disabled, or unsure about your legal options, don’t wait.
Call 888-PITT-LAW or complete the form below to request a free consultation.
What Our Clients Say
