Wexford Workers Compensation Lawyers Lawyers

Pond Lehocky has experienced Wexford workers’ compensation lawyers who can help you file a claim and fight for your benefits. We are ready to provide you with the legal expertise you need after suffering a workplace injury. Whether you get denied benefits or they get terminated prematurely, know that you can leverage the law and ensure you get fairly compensated.

While you focus on your recovery, allow us to take care of your workers’ comp affairs.

Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits Available in Wexford

You can recover benefits for several damages you sustained. It is essential to note, however, that workers’ compensation will not cover damages such as punitive damages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other similar losses.

Medical Benefits

Any of the medical expenses you have incurred from doctor or hospital visits, prescription medicines, physical therapy, etc., are all covered through workers’ comp. This also includes future medical expenses related to your workplace injury. So long as you can show that your medical expenses are directly related to your injury, you will likely receive benefits to cover them.

Lost Wages

Workplace injuries will often require time off to heal completely. Time spent not working can cut into your household’s finances. Fortunately, workers’ comp can help compensate you for any lost wages.

While you will not receive full coverage of your salary, most injured workers will get two-thirds of their average weekly wages. How much you can recover will depend on how much you earn and how long you take off from work.

Disability Benefits

There are three types of disability benefits you can recover through Pennsylvania’s workers’ comp law:

1. Temporary Total Disability (TTD) – When you are completely unable to work due to your injury, you can qualify for TTD. Payments are usually 66 ⅔% of your average weekly wages within the maximum weekly benefit amounts set by the state. TTD lasts until you return to work or if you reach maximum medical improvement.
2. Permanent Total Disability (PTD) – PTD applies to workers who are permanently disabled from their injury and cannot return to work. In this case, you will get 66 ⅔% of your average weekly wage for life or until you reach retirement age in certain instances.
3. Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) – Workers qualify for PPD when they have reached maximum medical improvement, but they have permanent impairments. Payment amount will vary depending on the specific body part injured and the percentage of impairment as set by Pennsylvania law. Duration also depends on a case-by-case basis.

Wexford residents often work in tech, small manufacturing, and healthcare professions where injuries are prone to leaving lasting damages. It is best to consult with one of our Wexford workers’ compensation lawyers to better understand your unique case.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits

If you are able to return to work, but your injuries prevent you from working in the same profession, workers’ comp can help you with vocational rehabilitation. You can receive benefits for education or training to enter a new profession that accommodates your injuries.

Death Benefits

If a workplace accident leads to the loss of a loved one, workers’ comp can provide death benefits. These come in the form of financial assistance for burial costs, funeral processions, etc. The surviving spouse and any dependent children can also receive benefits based on the deceased’s salary.

How the Workers’ Comp Claim Process Works

There are five key steps that Wexford residents should follow to begin their workers’ comp claim:

1. Report your injury right away. Do not delay. As soon as you get injured, if you are able to, report it to your manager.
2. Seek medical attention. If your injury is a medical emergency, call an ambulance or go directly to the emergency room. Document as much of your injury as you can with photos. Continue to seek treatment and follow your doctor’s orders.
3. Ensure your work reports your injury to their workers’ comp insurance company. You will file an injury report and provide all supporting evidence and documentation.
4. The insurance company will do a review of your claim and conduct its own investigation. They may follow up with requests for more evidence or ask you questions about your injury.
5. Your claim will either get approved or denied. If approved, your medical expenses will get covered and you will receive wage repayments after a small waiting period. If denied, you will receive an explanation why, and you will need to file an appeal.

Overall, you can expect the claim process to take roughly three weeks. Sometimes it can take longer, but it all depends on the case. Generally speaking, 21 days is the standard timeframe from when you first submit your claim.

What to Do if Your Claim Gets Denied

If your claim gets denied, it is not the end of the world. You can appeal their decision. To do so, hold on to your denial letter and get in touch with our Wexford workers’ compensation lawyers immediately. There is often a time limit to file an appeal, so it is best to get started as soon as possible to ensure nothing is rushed and that you can build the best case possible to receive benefits.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

The Wexford workers’ compensation lawyers at Pond Lehocky Giordano have decades of experience fighting on behalf of injured workers. We have locations throughout Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh area, and we are ready to help Wexford residents fight for their workers’ comp benefits today.

With 100,000+ cases won, you can count on us to give you the support you need during this tough time. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at no risk to you.