Norvelt Workplace Injury Attorneys

Did your job leave you injured or sick and unable to work in Norvelt, Pennsylvania? No matter how the injury or illness happened, you have rights, and you deserve answers.

The legal team at Stine & Associates, P.C., has more than 30 years of experience helping workers across Pennsylvania get the workers’ compensation benefits they need after occupational injuries and illnesses. If you’re struggling to get the benefits you need for your recovery, we can step in and help you take action. You won’t pay any legal fees unless we recover money for you.

Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and discuss your case with a lawyer who understands Pennsylvania workers’ comp law.

Common Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in Norvelt

Many workers in Norvelt suffer job-related injuries and illnesses every year. Some result from accidents, while others come from repetitive tasks or exposure to harmful substances. Below are some examples of common workplace injuries and illnesses that may qualify for workers’ comp:

• Back Injuries: Lifting heavy items or moving in awkward positions can strain the muscles and discs in your back. This kind of injury can make it hard to stand, sit, or work without pain.
• Fractures: Falls from ladders, tumbles on wet floors, and blunt-force impacts can break bones. These injuries often require surgery and long recovery times.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Repeating the same hand or wrist motion every day can cause pressure on the nerves in your wrist. Over time, this can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness.
• Burns: Contact with hot surfaces, open flames, chemicals, or electricity can cause burns. These injuries may lead to scarring, infection, and time away from work.
• Hearing Loss: Working around loud machines or tools without ear protection can damage your hearing. The damage can happen slowly and become permanent if you don’t catch it early.
• Exposure to Harmful Chemicals: Breathing in fumes or coming into contact with certain chemicals at work can cause breathing problems, skin rashes, or long-term health issues.
• Respiratory Illnesses: Dust, mold, or other airborne particles in some job sites can lead to breathing issues like asthma or bronchitis, which often get worse with prolonged exposure.

Who Qualifies for Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania?

Only legal employees qualify for workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania. This includes both full-time and part-time workers. Independent contractors and volunteers usually do not qualify.

Your injury or illness only qualifies for coverage if it happens while you are doing your job duties. If you get hurt outside of work or while off the clock, you likely won’t qualify.

If you meet these conditions, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can cover your medical bills and replace a portion of your lost wages if you get hurt or sick at work.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury

If you get hurt or sick on the job in Norvelt, you need to take certain steps to protect your health and your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Here’s what you should do:

• Tell your employer about the injury or illness as soon as possible.
• Get medical treatment right away, even if the injury seems minor.
• Ask your employer if they have a list of approved doctors for your first 90 days of treatment.
• Keep records of every doctor visit, test, and treatment you receive.
• Follow your doctor’s advice and attend all follow-up appointments.
• Report any changes in your condition to your employer and your doctor.
• Avoid returning to work before your doctor says it’s safe.
• Save copies of all medical bills, pay stubs, and paperwork related to your injury.
• File your workers’ compensation claim before the three-year deadline.
• Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer if you have questions or problems with your claim.

What Benefits Are Available Under Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation?

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation offers several types of benefits if you get hurt or sick at work:

• Medical benefits cover the costs of reasonable and necessary medical treatment you need to recover from your work-related injury or illness. This includes doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescriptions, and medical equipment. You don’t have to pay out of pocket for any of these medical expenses if your injury qualifies.
• Wage loss benefits replace a portion of your income losses if you can’t work or if you earn less than usual because of your injury. If you can’t work at all, you can receive benefits worth up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a set maximum. If you return to work in a lower-paying job, you can receive up to two-thirds of the difference in your pay.
• Specific loss benefits could be available if you lose the use of a body part or suffer serious disfigurement. If you suffer this kind of injury due to a work-related incident, you could receive a lump sum based on your average wages and the state’s payment schedule for injuries.

Partial vs. Total Disability Benefits in Pennsylvania

If you can’t work after an injury, you could qualify for either partial or total disability (wage loss) benefits.

Total disability benefits apply if you can’t work at all. In that case, you could receive payments worth up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage. These benefits can last for up to 104 weeks. After that, you must take a medical exam to continue receiving benefits. You can only continue receiving total disability benefits at this point if your impairment rating is 35 percent or higher.

Partial disability benefits apply if you can return to work but earn less than before. This could happen if you work fewer hours or take a lower-paying job. These benefits replace up to two-thirds of the difference in your pay. You can receive partial disability benefits for up to 500 weeks.

How Long Do You Have to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Pennsylvania?

You must report your injury to your employer within 21 days. If you wait more than 120 days, you could lose the right to claim benefits. After you report your injury, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a workers’ compensation claim. The sooner you report your injury and file your claim, the better your chances of getting the benefits you need.

Can I Choose My Own Doctor After a Workplace Injury?

In Pennsylvania, your employer may give you a list of approved doctors. If they do so, you must choose a doctor from this list for your first 90 days of treatment. After 90 days, you can see any doctor you want. If your employer does not give you a list, you may choose your own doctor right away.

No matter who you see, make sure the doctor accepts workers’ compensation cases. Let them know at the start of your appointment that you are visiting for a work-related injury. Keep thorough records of every visit, test, and treatment related to your work injury.

Choosing the right doctor is essential for workers’ compensation cases. If you’re unsure about your options, a workers’ compensation lawyer can explain what to do next.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Now

If you got hurt at work in Norvelt, don’t wait to get help. Contact Stine & Associates, P.C. today to get started with your free consultation. Our attorneys can answer your questions and guide you through your next steps. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.