If an employee is injured while on the job, the sudden financial strain due to time missed from work combined with substantial medical expenses can be devastating. Pennsylvania state law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation coverage.
This means that you may be owed benefits if you were recently injured at your place of employment. A Bala Cynwyd workers’ compensation lawyer could help you get your claim started and pursue all the benefits you are eligible for. A well-practiced personal injury attorney could work diligently to secure the coverage you need to recuperate from your losses after an accident.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover in Bala Cynwyd?
Workers’ compensation can cover injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, toxic exposure, slip and falls, head injuries, and burns sustained while on the job. If an employee is injured due to an accident or dangerous condition at work, they could receive several types of financial payments, including compensation for their medical bills and a portion of their lost wages.
The lost wage benefits granted in a workers’ compensation claim depend on the severity of the person’s injury and the extent to which they are unable to fulfill their job duties. For example, if the employee loses a limb in the accident and this disability permanently diminishes their earning capacity, they could be entitled to permanent benefits.
For injuries that prevent the worker from returning to their usual performance for a limited period, temporary partial disability payments may be issued for a period not to exceed 500 weeks. If a worker dies within 300 weeks of an incident or injury sustained at work, their surviving family can claim death benefits. A knowledgeable lawyer in Bala Cynwyd could make sure an injured employee is rightfully compensated through their workers’ compensation benefits.
Third-Party Injury Claims for Injured Employees
While workers’ compensation coverage can pay for an injured employee’s medical costs and some of their lost income, these payments may not reflect the full extent of the workers’ damages. For instance, workers’ compensation coverage does not include reimbursement for pain and suffering.
However, it may be possible to file a third-party personal injury claim against an individual or entity whose negligence was a factor in the employee’s injuries. However, injured workers cannot file a lawsuit against their employer in most cases.
Still, a third-party claim could open the door to additional damages beyond the limitations of workers’ compensation coverage. A workers’ compensation lawyer in Bala Cynwyd could help someone file a third-party injury claim for costs such as pain, suffering, emotional anguish, and mental distress.
Filing Deadlines in Bala Cynwyd
While an injured worker may have up to three years to file a claim for workers’ compensation, they have a much shorter window of time to inform their employer of the injury. Pennsylvania law requires that an employee communicate their injury to the employer within 21 days of sustaining harm.
If the injured worker is also interested in filing a third-party claim for compensation, they have up to two years to bring a civil lawsuit. A Bala Cynwyd attorney could explain the deadlines for someone’s workers’ compensation claim and help them file the necessary documentation by the required date.
Get in Touch with a Bala Cynwyd Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you need help filing a workers’ compensation claim, a Bala Cynwyd workers’ compensation lawyer might be able to help. A compassionate attorney could manage the entire workers’ compensation case, including filing the correct paperwork and advocating for all possible benefits for your claim.
An attorney can also investigate whether a third party was involved who could owe you compensation. To get your legal questions answered and discuss how to move forward with a case, call and schedule your free case consultation.
