Areas Served
A workplace injury can have life-altering consequences. You might face daily pain, limited mobility, time off work, costly medical bills, and significant emotional distress. Workers’ compensation benefits can offer some security as you continue your recovery, but obtaining those benefits can require the help of a skilled workers’ comp attorney.
Attorney Cindy Stine and the team at Stine & Associates, P.C., proudly protect the rights of hardworking New Stanton residents as they seek the benefits they’re entitled to. We’re ready to fight for the financial stability you deserve after a workplace accident leaves you unable to earn a living. Contact our law firm today to learn more.
Understanding Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation
Under the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system, employees who sustain injuries on the job or develop work-related illnesses are entitled to benefits from an insurance plan provided by their employer. These benefits cover medical treatment, wage replacement, and in some cases, compensation for permanent disabilities.
Because workers’ comp is an “exclusive remedy,” workers have the ability to obtain benefits without proving someone was at fault for their work-related injury. In exchange, workers cannot sue their employer in most cases.
Our New Stanton lawyer helps injured workers understand the workers’ comp process and guides them through every step of seeking the benefits they deserve. This can help you avoid critical errors that may result in a denied claim, and it can also provide a distinct advantage should you have to appeal a denial.
Common Workplace Injuries We Handle
Workplace accidents can happen in any industry, and our law firm represents employees across all sectors in New Stanton and surrounding communities. Some common injury cases we handle include:
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Construction and industrial accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Occupational diseases
- Vehicle-related accidents
No matter what kind of injury your New Stanton case involves, securing full benefits requires careful investigation and thorough documentation. We work with experts to gather the evidence needed to build a compelling case tailored to your unique situation.
What To Do After a Workplace Injury
Your actions following a workplace injury can not only impact your health, but they can also weigh heavily on the outcome of your claim. Be sure to:
- Document the Accident Scene: Take photos and videos of the hazard that caused your injury, the surrounding area, light conditions, signs or lack thereof, and visible injuries. This will provide visual evidence connecting the accident to your injuries.
- Collect Witness Information: If anyone saw the accident happen, they may provide powerful testimony supporting your claim. Collect their names and contact information.
- Report the Incident Promptly: Notify your supervisor or HR department about your injuries as soon as possible. Pennsylvania workers’ comp law requires timely reporting, and insurers may attempt to deny your claim if you wait too long.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if your injury seems “minor,” you should go to a doctor right away to get checked out. Sometimes adrenaline can mask significant pain, and certain injuries don’t show symptoms for hours, even days after they occur. Seeking prompt medical attention will protect your safety and your legal rights.
- Contact an Attorney: A skilled workers’ comp lawyer can guide you through the process of filing your claim or appealing a denial, and help you avoid critical errors along the way.
What Compensation Might Be Available
If a workplace injury prevents you from doing your job in New Stanton safely, Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law can provide multiple forms of financial and medical support. Benefits can include:
Medical Benefits
Workers’ comp covers necessary medical treatment related to your injury. That can include ambulance services, doctor’s visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medical devices, medications, physical therapy, and follow-up care.
Wage-Loss Benefits
If your injury keeps you from working, you may qualify for wage-loss benefits that cover a portion of your lost income while you recover. Pennsylvania law calculates this benefit based on your average weekly wage before the injury. Your payment typically amounts to two-thirds of that calculated wage, up to a state-set maximum.
Wage-loss benefits can be for:
- Total Disability: When your injuries keep you off work while you’re healing, you can collect total disability payments. These payments can continue for 104 weeks. After that, the employer or insurer can require a medical examination. If the doctor determines that you are 35% or more impaired, you can continue to collect total disability payments. If not, the insurer may change your status to partial disability.
- Partial Disability: These benefits are paid if you return to work at a lower paying job because of your injuries. You can obtain these benefits for up to 500 weeks. If your doctor gives you an impairment rating of 35 percent or more, you can apply for total disability.
Vocational Rehabilitation
When injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, workers’ comp may provide services to help you find new employment that better suits your current condition. Those services can include:
- Evaluation of your skills, experience, and post-injury capabilities
- Educational programs or courses to develop new skills
- Job placement assistance
- Counseling and support services
- Work-related physical or occupational therapy
Why Workers’ Compensation Claims Are Denied
Unfortunately, insurance companies frequently deny valid claims, leaving injured workers without income or medical coverage. Protecting your rights when seeking workers’ comp benefits for your New Stanton injury requires an understanding of why claims might be denied. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Late Reporting: Pennsylvania law requires you to report your workplace injury to your employer within 21 days. Failing to do so can give the insurance company a reason to deny your claim, no matter how valid it may be.
- Disputed Cause of Injury: Insurers may claim your injury did not occur at work or resulted from some kind of negligent activity on your part. Having clear, compelling evidence like medical documentation, witness interviews, photos and videos, and expert testimony can counter these disputes.
- Lack of Medical Evidence: Without proper medical records linking your injury to the workplace accident, insurers can deny or undervalue your claim. That’s why timely medical treatment and thorough documentation are critical.
- Incomplete or Inaccurate Paperwork: Small mistakes on forms, missed deadlines, or missing signatures can delay or jeopardize your claim. Working closely with a lawyer when filing can help you avoid these preventable mistakes.
How a Workers’ Comp Attorney Can Help
Working with an experienced attorney from a law firm that handles workers’ comp claims can make all the difference when pursuing workers’ comp benefits. Your lawyer can help by:
- Reviewing your case for free
- Investigating your claim and collecting evidence
- Helping you receive the medical care you need
- Calculating full compensation
- Providing compassionate support
- Dealing with insurers
- Negotiating for the benefits you deserve
- Representing you in hearings and appeals
Whether you’ve yet to file a claim or you need help appealing a denial, a skilled attorney can inform you of your rights and help you fight for the benefits you’re owed.
Contact a New Stanton Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
If you’ve suffered a workplace injury and you’re seeking workers’ comp benefits, you need an experienced lawyer to protect your rights. Attorney Cindy Stine and the team at Stine & Associates, P.C., will fight for the medical care and financial assistance you deserve while you focus on recovery. Contact our law firm today for your free consultation.