Suffering an injury at work can be devastating. You can end up with thousands of dollars in medical bills and not be able to work, both of which can put significant strain on your finances and add to the distress you’re experiencing. There are options available, however. You can file a workers’ compensation claim and, in some instances, a personal injury claim. No matter which option you choose, one of the most important things you can do is to hire a Levittown work injury lawyer to represent you.
The team of work injury lawyers at Wapner Newman can help you if you’ve suffered losses because of an injury at work. We can advise you on the best course of action and help you through the entire claims process, including litigation.
Contact our work injury attorneys at (215) 569-0900 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Us
How We Can Help You After a Work Injury
If you’ve suffered a work injury, you may not know what you’re entitled to. At Wapner Newman, our personal injury lawyers have over 40 years of experience helping people recover losses that were the result of another party’s wrongful or negligent conduct. We also have experience with workers’ compensation claims, which can be highly complex and could result in claim denials if not handled correctly.
The team of workers’ compensation lawyers at Wapner Newman has helped clients recover millions of dollars in jury awards and insurance settlements. We will fight for your rights so that you receive the compensation you deserve after what you’ve suffered. Avoid the stress of getting your workers’ compensation claim denied, and give yourself the chance to pursue a lawsuit by contacting our team.
Injuries at Work and Your Claim Options
Our Levittown workplace injury lawyers offer a rundown of the options you have after suffering a work injury.
Workers’ Compensation
The first thing our Levittown work injury lawyers want you to remember is that you can file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is a government-funded program that allows workers to recoup certain damages after a work injury. Most employees in Pennsylvania have to carry workers’ compensation insurance and must cover all workers, including part-time and seasonal ones. In Pennsylvania, even employers with only one employee have to offer this insurance. Your coverage begins the day of your employment.
Workers’ compensation covers a few types of economic damages. First of all, it covers reasonable medical expenses, including the cost of any surgical procedures you require. You can get coverage for:
- Hospital stays
- Medications
- Rehabilitation
- Orthopedic appliances
- Prosthetics.
If you’ve suffered the permanent loss of a finger, limb, hearing, or sight, or if you sustained a facial injury that resulted in disfigurement, you can claim specific loss benefits. You can also receive compensation for lost wages if you’re partially or totally disabled. The amount you receive is generally two-thirds of your average weekly salary.
Death benefits are part of workers’ compensation, too. Surviving dependents can receive some benefits if their loved one dies in work-related circumstances.
Our team of Levittown work injury attorneys knows that filing a workers’ compensation claim is difficult and you may not know how to start. By scheduling a free consultation, we can help you get your bearings.
Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury claim holds the party that caused the accident responsible for the losses you suffered. In the majority of cases, you will have to demonstrate that negligence took place. That means establishing that the defendant owed you a duty of care that they breached, resulting in your injuries.
Perhaps the most important thing you need to know about these claims in relation to work injuries is that you won’t be able to file a lawsuit against your employer. They’re protected by workers’ compensation insurance.
You can, however, file a claim against a third party that contributed to the accident. If, for example, you were loading a truck and the driver backed up and ran over your leg, you could hold the delivery company and the individual driver responsible.
With personal injury claims, you can file for economic and non-economic losses. These cover medical expenses, lost wages (including loss of earning potential), and pain and suffering.
Our workplace injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t win your claim, you don’t have to pay us.
Which Is the Appropriate Choice?
Understanding How the Two Claim Types Differ
Choosing between the two options can mean knowing some of their crucial differences, beginning with liability. With a workers’ compensation claim, you don’t have to demonstrate that your employer was negligent. It’s a no-fault claim option that only requires you to prove you sustained a work-related injury. That’s not the case with a personal injury claim. You will have to establish either negligence or strict liability.
Another difference you should be aware of is the damages you can claim. With a workers’ compensation claim, you can claim medical expenses, limited lost wages, and death benefits. A personal injury claim lets you claim economic losses as well as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Keep in mind that you won’t always be able to file a personal injury claim. That’s only a viable option if there’s a third party involved in the accident. Workers’ compensation, however, is an option for almost every employee. In some instances, you may be able to file both types of claims.
To have a good idea of the right option for your circumstances, schedule a free consultation with our team of Pennsylvania workplace injury lawyers.
Work Injury FAQs
If you’ve suffered an injury at work, you likely have lots of questions and concerns. Our team of lawyers offers the answers to the most common worries clients have.
Do I need a work injury lawyer if I’m filing a workers’ compensation claim?
You’re not required to have a lawyer, but it’s vital that you do. Often, these claims get denied because of paperwork mistakes and a variety of other minor issues. You can appeal the decision, but you need to have experienced lawyers guiding you. By having representation from the start, you can avoid delays and the stress of having to appeal. If the case has to go to a hearing, we can represent you there as well.
What is the timeline for a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim?
For a workers’ compensation claim to be valid, you must report your injuries to your employer within 21 days and to the insurance carrier within 120 days of the date of the injury. If your request for workers’ compensation is denied, you will have up to three years to file a claim petition. It’s more complex if you’ve suffered an occupational illness. Your injury or disability must occur within 300 weeks from the last day of your employment in a job where you were exposed to a hazard. You have to file the claim within three years of discovering the illness.
With a personal injury claim, you have two years from the date of the injury or from when you discovered the injury or illness.
Is it possible to file both a workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim?
Yes. If you suffered a work injury in which a third party contributed to your losses, you can file both types of claims. It can be very complicated to do so, however, because each claim has specific requirements and timelines, so it’s vital that you hire a Levittown workplace injury attorney.
What are the most common workplace accidents that result in claims?
Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common and result in the most fatalities. Exposure to harmful chemicals is also a common issue throughout the country, as are over-exertion and being hit by objects.
Can I claim workers’ compensation if I was partly responsible for the accident?
Workers’ compensation is no-fault insurance, so in most instances, you can receive compensation whether you contribute to the accident or not. There may be exceptions if you intentionally caused your injury. If you are concerned about any of this, we can address your exact circumstances when you come for a free consultation.
To get answers to all of your questions, contact our team at Wapner Newman.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Levittown Work Injury Lawyers
Suffering an injury at work can turn your life upside down. You likely know that you can file a claim but may be unsure of how to do so, and you may even be too injured or ill to start the process. That’s where our team comes in. At Wapner Newman, our Levittown work injury lawyers offer the guidance you need from the moment you walk into our offices. With compassion and dedication, we’ll fight for your rights so that you can receive compensation after a work-related injury.
Call our team at (215) 569-0900 to learn more about how we can help.