Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Darby, PA
None of us can foresee a work-related injury or exposure that may cause us to develop a respiratory condition or other serious ailment. Even taking proper precautions, an injury can still occur while on the job. Thankfully, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides sick or injured employees a replacement for lost wages and medical expenses, with death benefits for surviving family members.
At Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias & Rio, we have helped thousands of injured and ill workers get back on their financial feet. If you are interested in learning more about filing a workers’ compensation claim, feel free to contact our Darby workers’ compensation lawyers.
What is Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is insurance provided by your employer, with most employers having one or more employees being required to carry it. If you have contracted an illness or been injured while performing job-related tasks, workers’ compensation insurance will replace 66 2/3% of an employee’s average weekly wages. In addition to wage replacement, all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your injury or illness will be covered. If you filed a death claim under workers’ compensation, then you may receive up to $3,000 in funeral expenses along with additional benefits based on your relationship to the deceased.
Darby Workers’ Compensation Timeline
Pennsylvania law allows workers 120 days to report a work injury to their employers. This is the maximum amount of time that an employee has to report a work injury. When reporting a work injury, the employee should give as much detail as possible, either verbally or in writing, to their supervisor. If the employee reports the incident within 21 days, then they are eligible to receive retroactive benefits, which will apply back to the first missed day of work.
There is a three-year statute of limitation for filing a workers’ compensation, so it is important that you begin the process immediately. To recover death benefits, your loved one must have succumbed to injuries or illness because of their occupation. Under Pennsylvania law, a surviving spouse, child, dependent parent, dependent or disabled sibling, and dependent or disabled child are eligible to receive workers’ comp death benefits.
Medical Benefits Under a Darby Workers’ Compensation Claim
Although the workers’ comp insurer can argue that your medical treatment was not related to the scope of your employment or that it was not reasonable or necessary, the insurer must file a petition to have the issue decided by a workers’ compensation judge. This decision will determine coverage of future medical treatment, so it is important that you hire experienced counsel to defend your rights.
Workers’ compensation provides workers with the following medical benefits:
- Treatments by physicians, chiropractors, and other healthcare providers
- Surgeries and treatments
- Hospitalizations
- Ambulatory services
- Emergency room care
- Laboratory testing and medical imaging
- Prescriptions
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Orthopedic appliances
- Home modifications
Darby Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Providing a Tireless Commitment to Injured Workers
A tireless commitment to your work has allowed you to provide for your loved ones over the years. At Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias & Rio, we strive to provide the same commitment to our clients. Our team of lawyers will help you navigate the entire process from start to finish, ensuring that you receive the most benefits possible on your claim.
Even if your claim is accepted but we believe that your initial benefits determination is too low, our workers’ compensation lawyers may appeal the decision to the board. Obtaining maximum benefits is our main objective, and we will not give up until we have achieved the best possible outcome. To learn more, contact our Darby workers’ compensation attorneys online or by phone at (610) 892-9300 today to arrange your free case review.