Johnstown Workplace Injury

Getting hurt at work has an immediate impact on both your health and your livelihood. Your physical recovery may keep you away from your job for an extended period, and your injury may even have long-term implications on the kinds of work you can and cannot do. It can be a stressful time as you think about how best to move forward.

If you suffered an injury while at your job, your first focus should be on healing. Let an experienced workplace injury attorney serving Johnstown take care of preparing your claim and fighting for the benefits or compensation to which you’re entitled. Contact the law firm of Stine & Associates, P.C., today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Why You Need a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer To Handle Your Claim

After a workplace injury, many employees quickly realize that accessing their benefits isn’t as straightforward as it should be. Insurance companies often look for ways to limit payments. They may delay claims, or even argue that an injury didn’t occur at work. Meanwhile, employers may pressure workers to return to the job before they are ready or discourage them from filing a claim at all. While all this is going on, an injured worker’s medical bills and lost income can add up fast and create serious financial stress.

A workplace injury lawyer serving Johnstown can step in to protect your rights and handle every part of the process. Having someone who understands Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws, deadlines, and procedures can make them a strong advocate for you and remove a substantial burden from your shoulders. With a lawyer managing the claim, you can focus on recovering your health while knowing that someone is working to secure the benefits you deserve.

Why Choose Stine & Associates, P.C.?

Choosing the right attorney at this time can have an outsized impact on the outcome of your case. You need an attorney who not only understands Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law but also treats your claim with the personalized attention you need and deserve.

Stine & Associates, P.C., is a law firm with proven credentials and a client-centered approach. Established in 2007 and led by attorney Cindy Stine, who has over 35 years of legal experience, we focus on workers’ compensation, personal injury, and disability claims. When you work with us, you benefit from:

A free initial consultation and no fees unless you get benefits, an award, or a settlement.
A principal attorney with a depth of experience in both large-law firm and boutique settings.
A law firm recognized by and actively involved in professional organizations, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association and Pennsylvania Association for Justice.
Our regional focus on Johnstown and the surrounding areas in western and central Pennsylvania, and our resulting familiarity with local insurers, employers, and the workplace injury environment.

After an on-the-job accident or occupational illness in Johnstown, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act may entitle you to several categories of benefits designed to help you recover physically and financially. The main types of workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania include:

Medical Benefits – Coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injury, including doctor visits, hospital care, therapy, medication, and surgeries
Wage Loss Benefits – Partial wage replacement if you cannot work or must work reduced hours due to your injury
Specific Loss Benefits – Payment for permanent loss or loss of use of a body part, such as the loss of a digit, extremity, or limb, the loss of a sense, or permanent disfigurement
Death Benefits – Financial support for surviving dependents if a workplace injury results in death
Vocational Rehabilitation – Assistance with retraining or job placement if you cannot return to your previous position

The Process of Pursuing a Workplace Injury Claim in Pennsylvania

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania involves several important steps, each of which you must complete correctly and on time to protect your right to benefits. If you miss a deadline or provide incomplete or inaccurate information, it can delay or jeopardize your claim. Here are the basic steps in pursuing a Pennsylvania workers’ comp claim:

Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, ideally within 21 days.
Seek medical treatment from an approved provider if your employer has a list of designated doctors.
Document your injury with detailed records of symptoms, medical visits, and missed work.
Your employer files a report with its insurance carrier.
The insurer reviews the claim and decides whether to accept or deny your benefits claim.
If the insurer denies your claim, file an appeal with help from your workplace injury lawyer.

Does My Injury Qualify for Workers’ Comp?

Almost all Pennsylvania employees are covered under the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act from their first day on the job. This includes full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers, as well as those in nearly every industry, including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Even if an employer has only one employee, the state generally requires them to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

However, certain categories of workers may fall under different rules or coverage systems. These include independent contractors, volunteers, domestic workers, and federal employees. If you are unsure whether you qualify, a workers’ compensation attorney serving Johnstown can review your job status and determine your eligibility for benefits.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Personal Injury Claims

It’s important to understand that not every case is limited to a workers’ compensation claim. While workers’ comp covers medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages, it does not allow you to recover money for pain and suffering. However, if someone other than your employer or a coworker contributed to your injury, you may also have a third-party personal injury claim.

Examples of third-party claims include injuries resulting from defective equipment, unsafe conditions created by a subcontractor, or careless drivers. These claims are separate from workers’ compensation and can provide additional compensation beyond what the workers’ comp system allows, including pain and suffering compensation and full lost wages.

Combining a workers’ compensation claim with a third-party lawsuit can significantly improve your financial stability during your recovery and beyond. Stine & Associates, P.C., can review the facts of your case to determine whether you qualify for both types of claims and help you pursue all available forms of financial recovery.

How Much Time Do I Have To File My Claim?

Pennsylvania law establishes clear deadlines for both workers’ compensation and third-party workplace injury claims. For workers’ comp, you must report your workplace injury to your employer within 21 days to receive full benefits, and no later than 120 days from the date of injury. If the insurer denies your workers’ comp claim, you typically have three years from the date of injury to file a petition with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

If your case also involves a third-party claim, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. For all claim types, taking prompt action is the most effective way to protect your right to pursue all available compensation.

Contact a Workplace Injury Attorney To Discuss Your Case

If you got hurt at work in Johnstown, you need the support of an experienced Pennsylvania work injury lawyer to pursue the benefits and compensation you deserve. Contact the law firm of Stine & Associates, P.C., today to learn more about your legal rights and options after a workplace injury.