Workers Can Be Injured on the Job in Many Ways

Being injured on the job can have devastating consequences for Pennsylvania residents, and it is important that workers who find themselves in an accident that leads to injury get the compensation they deserve. Workers’ Compensation insurance is available throughout the state to protect workers from these types of accidents, and this type of compensation should always be sought in cases of injured workers.

What Workers’ Compensation provides is financial compensation to cover medical expenses and lost wages when a work-related accident occurs, and the vast majority of Pennsylvania workers are covered under Workers’ Compensation laws. If a worker is killed due to a work-related accident injury, their family may even be entitled to death benefits that cover lost wages, medical expenses, and funeral costs.

Common Workers’ Compensation Injuries and Accidents in Pennsylvania

Some industries have been proven to be more likely to lead to accidents and injuries than others in the state of Pennsylvania. Some of these occupations include construction work, industrial work, truck driving or transportation, and manufacturing, and the injuries incurred can range from the minor to the severe. In cases of construction or warehouse related injuries, lifting heavy objects or operating heavy machinery is the most likely cause of such accidents, and injuries will often be neck or back related. While these injuries may seem minor, they often take prolonged medical care and extensive treatments to remedy, which may lead a worker to find themselves unable to perform their job for an extended period of time.

Jobs that involve truck driving or the transportation of goods will often see the most severe injuries, and these injuries will sometimes prove fatal. Work-related traffic accidents are estimated to make up 22% of all occupation related fatalities in the United States, and this high trend is seen in the state of Pennsylvania. In cases of injuries this severe it is crucial that surviving family members receive these benefits in order to compensate financially for the loss of their loved one.

Who is Covered by Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania?

All workers currently employed in the state of Pennsylvania, including part-time employees and seasonal employees, can be eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation should they become injured on the job. If for any reason an employer does not have Workers’ Compensation insurance, an injured worker may then apply for compensation through the Uninsured Employer Guaranty Fund in order to receive financial benefits.

Some situations may not be covered under Workers’ Compensation however, and this includes situations of worker neglect or intoxication. If a worker intentionally harms themselves on the job they will be found to be ineligible to receive compensation for their injuries or lost time, and if a worker is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, benefits will most likely be denied as well. For this reason, many employers will carry out regular drug testing to ensure their employees are not coming into work under the influence.

A person’s coverage under Workers’ Compensation insurance begins the day they begin working for an employer, and medical compensation will begin from the day the injury occurs. In Pennsylvania, a person does not need to work for an employer for a set amount of time before they are covered by Workers’ Compensation.

Obtaining Benefits

When trying to obtain Workers’ Compensation benefits, reporting any injuries in a prompt fashion is detrimental to a case. A person must notify their employer of their injury, the time of the accident, the cause of the accident, and the location of the accident as soon as possible after an injury occurs. This report will determine a person’s compensation amount, and injuries that go unreported will not be eligible for compensation in the state.

What Benefits are Provided Under Workers’ Compensation?

Several different types of compensation may be rewarded under Workers’ Compensation insurance, and these types are:

• Medical care – The costs of medical expenses incurred due to the injury will be covered by Pennsylvania workers compensation. These benefits begin from the time of the injury and will last until treatment is finished and recovery is achieved.
• Death benefits – If the work-related accident is fatal, death benefits may be awarded to the worker’s family. These benefits may include medical compensation, funeral costs, and lost wages.
• Specific Loss Benefits – If a person is left disfigured or seriously impaired due to a work-related injury, they may be entitled to specific loss benefits. These benefits will vary depending on the injury being considered.
• Lost Wage Benefits – When a worker is injured on the job, they may be able to receive compensation for wages lost during the course of the injury, treatment, and recovery. These disability payments will depend on a person’s injury and they may be deemed temporary or permanent if a person’s injury causes them to be unable to work in the future.

Get Answers To Your Workers’ Compensation Questions by Calling the Law Office of Deborah M. Trucello

While many employers will allow their employees Workers’ Compensation benefits voluntarily after a work-related accident, this is not always the case. Some employers may try to deny an injured worker the compensation he or she is entitled to, and in these cases the presence of a Workers’ Compensation attorney is necessary. Contact Media, PA work injury lawyer from the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello. Ms. Truscello will help a person to prove that they deserve compensation for their injuries, and to get a figure that will sufficiently match the injury incurred.

From our office in Media, PA we have more than 25 years of experience representing clients throughout Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County. Call 610-892-4940 or contact us online to set up your free initial consultation.