Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Preparation Before Contacting a Philadelphia WC Attorney

Uncertain about what to do following a workplace injury? It is vital to promptly report your injury, even if you think you might be at fault, provided no illegal activity is involved. In situations involving occupational illnesses that develop gradually, like mesothelioma, or repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, immediate reporting upon diagnosis by a medical professional is essential.

Timely notification to your employer or supervisor about the injury, irrespective of its severity or impact on your work attendance, is crucial. Include details like the date, time, and circumstances surrounding the injury in your report. We suggest submitting this information in writing. In the event you’re diagnosed with a job-related illness, it is imperative to report it without delay.

Properly documenting your injuries, medical findings, and bills, along with filing your claim, will greatly fortify your case in the event your employer attempts to dispute or diminish your workers’ compensation benefits.

Do You Need Legal Representation for Workers’ Comp in Philadelphia?

While employees are allowed to represent themselves in workers’ compensation cases, going it alone often places them at a considerable disadvantage. Legal firms that represent workers’ compensation insurance companies aggressively defend their clients and aim to minimize payouts. Hence, it’s essential for employees to have a competent and well-equipped legal team vigorously advocating for them.

Even for employees already receiving workers’ compensation benefits, consulting a knowledgeable attorney can provide insights into the adequacy of their current benefits package and help them guard against any future challenges by the insurance company.

In instances of severe occupational injuries or illnesses, having legal representation is often imperative. Regardless of the severity of your injury or illness, or if you feel you have been unjustly treated, reaching out to a Philadelphia area workers’ compensation attorney is advisable. While you may feel confident navigating the claim independently, a lawyer serves to guide you from start to finish and gets compensated only when you win your case.

Protecting Philadelphia’s Injured Workers

While the workers’ compensation system is intended to offer timely and fair compensation for those injured on the job, it often appears skewed in favor of employers and insurance companies. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney familiar with Philadelphia area courts can act as your advocate, ensuring that you are treated with the respect and fairness you deserve.

For example, your attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company, shielding you from direct interactions. Insurance claim adjusters often schedule independent medical examinations, usually with a doctor affiliated with the insurance company, who may downplay your condition. Your attorney will guide you through such proceedings, keeping you abreast of important updates while you focus on your recovery.

There are specific situations where engaging a workers’ comp lawyer is particularly vital:

• Your claim has been rejected or the payout delayed.
• The settlement offer doesn’t adequately cover your lost wages and medical expenses.
• You are unable to resume your previous job due to the injury.
• Your ability to work has been severely compromised.
• You are either already receiving or plan to apply for Social Security disability benefits.
• Your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance.
• Your employer retaliates against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
• Your injury was due to the actions of a third party or the extreme negligence of the employer.

If your case doesn’t require a court appearance, consulting our Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers can still assist you in navigating the complexities of dealing with your employer and their insurance provider.

What a Philadelphia Workers’ Comp Lawyer Can Do for You

Pond Lehocky Giordano LLP is renowned nationally for our team of workers’ compensation lawyers who specialize in offering legal support to those unjustly denied their rightful claims following workplace accidents. With our prodigious experience, we guide our clients through the complicated and demanding process of securing the compensation they are entitled to. We handle a wide range of workplace injury claims, including but not limited to:

• Various body part injuries like shoulders, backs, knees, hands, and so on.
• Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Hearing loss or damage.
• Head injuries like traumatic brain injuries from falls.
• Cold stress injuries or burns due to incidents like electrocution.
• Occupational diseases like mesothelioma or Black Lung.
• Muscular injuries, broken bones, and more resulting from activities like lifting.
• Fatalities due to workplace incidents.

We also manage third-party claims. Even if workers’ compensation implies no employer fault, individuals injured at work may sue machinery, product, or equipment manufacturers in addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim. These third-party claims are often based on factors like unsafe working conditions, insufficient training, or faulty equipment.

Managing Medical Exams for Workers’ Comp Cases in Philadelphia

After filing a workers’ compensation claim, employers have the right to request an Independent Medical Examination (IME) performed by a physician of their choosing. Though named “independent,” the examination is commissioned by the employer or the insurance company and can be biased. Our lawyers can help you prepare for the IME and guide you through it.

After the examination, your employer and their insurer may attempt to minimize your injuries and discontinue or reduce your compensation. Our attorneys scrutinize the medical reports and vigorously counter any efforts to reduce your benefits.

Navigating Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Philadelphia

If you’re an employee who has suffered an injury at work, you may be eligible for wage-loss benefits through a successful compensation claim. Typically, these benefits equate to 66.6% of your weekly pre-tax income prior to the injury. It’s important to note that the minimum and maximum amounts of these benefits can differ depending on the jurisdiction.

There are several types of workers’ compensation benefits:

Wage Loss Benefits: These payments serve to offset the wages you’ve lost due to full or partial disability.

Death Benefits: Should a worker die because of a job-related illness or accident, these payments go to their surviving dependents.

Specific Loss Benefits: These are financial compensations for the loss or permanent disuse of a body part, or for enduring disfigurement or scars on the head, neck, or face.

Medical Care: These benefits cover the essential medical and surgical treatments needed for recovery from a job-related illness or injury.

In scenarios involving partial disability, an employee may receive benefits for a duration extending up to 500 weeks under certain circumstances. The exact length of time benefits are offered may differ by state.

For cases categorized as total disability, the employer or insurance provider can, in many jurisdictions, ask for a medical review. This is to ascertain whether the employee’s medical condition has improved enough to reclassify the injury as a partial disability.