Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Claim Filing Process
Understanding the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Process
The workers’ compensation process can be difficult to understand for someone who is suddenly faced with a work-related injury. After all, nobody expects to be injured at work. But when it happens, it is good to know that there are resources available to help you through the process and explain your legal options.
Attorney Deborah M. Truscello has more than 23 years of experience protecting the rights of workers in Pennsylvania who have been hurt at work. She is a passionate advocate and experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific legal options, contact us online today.
Steps You Should Take Now
If you have been injured on the job, these are the first steps you should take:
- Report the injury to your employer, someone in a supervisory capacity
- Seek medical treatment
- Fill out an injury report with your employer
For the first 90 days following the report of your injury, you must seek treatment from a doctor who is approved by your employer. If your employer or your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier does not have a list of doctors posted at your workplace, you may seek treatment from your own doctor. If they have a list of doctors posted at your workplace, you must treat with one of those doctors. After 90 days, you can seek treatment from your own doctor. If surgery is recommended, you can choose any surgeon during the first 90 days (and beyond).
The Workers’ Compensation Process
- Claim petition — When an employee is injured on the job, the employer has one of two choices: to pay the claim, or to reject and deny the claim. If your claim has been denied by your employer, attorney Deborah Truscello can help you submit a claim petition.
- Modification/suspension/termination petition — Quite often, the employer will attempt to make the argument that the employee is able to return to work after a period of time off. Our firm has been successful in preventing employers from taking benefits away from injured workers who are still disabled and unable to work. We are experienced in gathering the medical evidence necessary to prove that the employee has an ongoing disability, that the injury is more serious than the employer acknowledges, or that the employee is unable to return to work.
- Compromise and release agreement — When an employee is able to return to work in some capacity, it may be an appropriate time to negotiate a compromise and release agreement with the employer to seek a lump sum settlement for wage loss and future medical expenses. If you are ready to go back to work, our firm can discuss your options for negotiating a C and R agreement.
How Do I Apply for Workers’ Comp? Contact an Attorney Today to Find Out.
Learn more by contacting a workers’ compensation attorney in Media, Pennsylvania.
