Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Berks County

Most workers in Pennsylvania are covered by the no-fault Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act (the Act), which requires Pennsylvania employers to carry workers’ compensation coverage. Employers who do not comply with the Act may be required to reimburse the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry for any payments made in relation to a worker’s claim, including costs, interests, penalties and fees. They may also be subject to liability under personal injury and criminal law for their failure to maintain the required coverage.

Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania

Under the Act, injured workers are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits in the event they are injured at work, regardless of who was at fault for their accident. Qualified employees are entitled to compensation for medical expenses and lost wages with their workplace injury or illness.

There are certain exemptions, including railroad workers, longshoremen, and federal employees. However, these workers may be eligible for compensation under other laws such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

For more than 35 years, the experienced legal team at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. have helped employees in all types of industries obtain compensation for their work-related injuries or illnesses.

Notice Requirement

If you were injured at work, you are required to give notice to your employer within 120 days. Certain types of injuries may warrant an exception to this rule, such as hearing loss, repetitive motion injuries, or progressive diseases. It is generally advisable to give your employer notice as soon as possible following your work-related injury or discovery of your occupational illness.

You should ideally give the notice in writing with the date listed, so that you have proof of your compliance with the notice requirement. Additional details such as where the workplace accident occurred, how it happened, and who was involved should be included as well.

When seeking medical attention, it is important to let the medical professional know that your injury happened at work, so they can include all pertinent and necessary information in your file. Our legal team can help ensure that you satisfy all requirements and meet all deadlines to give you the best chances of prevailing on your claim.

Employer Rights and Obligations

Employers are required to file a First Report of Injury with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation within seven days for workers who miss more than a day, shift, or turn of work due to their injury, or within three days if the injury resulted in death. Your employer may extend the investigation of your claim for 90 days, in which case you may be entitled to temporary benefits while they decide whether to accept or deny your injury claim. If your employer accepts liability, you should begin receiving payments for your related medical expenses, as well as wage compensation, based on your average weekly pre-injury wages.

Appealing a Denied Claim

Your employer may choose to deny a claim for a variety of reasons, including: if they question the legitimacy of your claim, there is missing information, or you did not give notice within the 120-day deadline. If your claim is initially denied, you will receive a Notice of Workers’ Compensation Denial. You may appeal by filing a Claim Petition with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation within three years from the date of your injury. If your claim is again denied, there are several more opportunities for appeal. Your chances of a successful appeal are greatly increased if you are represented by a skilled work injury lawyer.

At Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C., we are experienced in handling Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claims from initiation to appeal. We can help you navigate the complex state workers’ compensation system, so you can get the benefits you deserve.

Berks County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Help Injured Workers get Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Pennsylvania

If you were injured at work or contracted a work-related illness, contact a Berks County workers’ compensation lawyer at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured workers throughout Pennsylvania, including Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County or Philadelphia County. To discuss your case, call us at 888-PITT-LAW or complete our online contact form.

Our legal team provides skilled representation to those residing in and around Abington, Ambler, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, Clifton Heights, Crum Lynne, Darby, Downingtown, Doylestown, Drexel Hill, Essington, Folcroft, Glenolden, Haverford, Havertown, Holmes, Kutztown, Lansdowne, Media, Merion Station, Morton, Narberth, Norristown, Norwood, Philadelphia, Prospect Park, Quakertown, Reading, Roxborough, Sharon Hill, Upper Darby, West Chester and Wynnewood.