Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chester, PA

How to Protect Your WC Claim: Explained by Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Chester, PA

Pennsylvania has a “no-fault” system of workers’ compensation benefits. This means that injured workers suffering from a workplace accident or work-related illness can obtain compensation for medical bills and lost wages without having to prove fault or liability. As a result, most WC claimants start to receive payments in as little as 21 days. However, that is not always the case. You may need an experienced and knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer in Chester to represent you and your rights.

Sometimes an employer or even a co-worker will contest your accident, claiming it did not occur at work or it was not work-related. Other times the WC adjuster will challenge your claim, underpay it, or even deny it. Unfortunately, even the assigned doctor may contend that your injury is not related or as severe as you claim. When this happens, you need to protect your WC claim and should call an experienced workers’ comp lawyer in Chester, PA, like ours.

This is important for you to know, because there is a limited amount of time to appeal a workers’ comp decision. If you fail to  appeal the decision in a designated time period, it will be automatically denied. In most instances, this means that you will be barred from challenging the decision. There are very few exceptions, and most exceptions involve a new or worsened injury.

How Do I Know I am Covered By Workers’ Comp Insurance in Pennsylvania?

Nearly all employees are covered by WC insurance. It does not matter if you are a seasonal, temporary, or part-time worker. Virtually every employer in Pennsylvania is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for all individuals working for the employer.

Workers’ comp insurance also starts right from the first day of work to the last day in the office. It does not matter if you retire, quit, or are terminated; workers’ compensation insurance will cover you while you are in the office—even to pack up your stuff to leave.

What is Covered by Workers’ Comp Insurance?

Nearly any workplace accident injury or work-related injury or illness is covered by workers’ comp insurance. Workers are also covered for their ingress or egress into their place of employment to a certain degree.

Workers are also covered while traveling for work, driving to appointments or clients, or working outside normal business hours such as on the weekend. The main requirement is that workers are within the scope of employment when their injuries occur.

If My Employer Caused My Injury, Can I Sue My Employer Too?

No, in most instances, an employer cannot be sued if you have suffered a workplace injury. This is because workers’ compensation benefits are intended to be the exclusive remedy for an employee to use. This means an employer agrees to provide WC insurance for the benefit of not being exposed to liability in a lawsuit.

However, if an employer fails to properly submit a claim to the insurance carrier or fails to carry WC insurance, an employee may file a lawsuit against the employer. There are also very rare instances where an employee may sue an employer for exposing the employee to a substantial and possibly fatal situation that was inherent or almost guaranteed to hurt the employee. Usually, this involves explosives or high-risk work, and it is very difficult to establish without the help of an experienced workers’ comp lawyer.

Get Help With Your Claim from A Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Chester, PA

The experienced WC law firm of Larry Pitt & Associates can help victims and their families protect their rights to workers’ compensation benefits under Pennsylvania law. We know how important it is for families to recover compensation to reimburse unexpected medical bills, lost wages, and other compensation caused by a workplace accident or illness.

Larry Pitt & Associates is your team to call when you’ve been searching for a workers’ compensation lawyer in Chester. Don’t wait any longer to get started with your claim. Find out more about how we can help you during a FREE consultation by dialing (888)-PITT-LAW or (877) 748-8529, or by sending us a message on our easy-to-use contact us box available here.