Workers’ Compensation Overview in Folcroft, PA

Getting injured at work can be one of the most disruptive and overwhelming experiences of your life. Between medical bills, lost income, and physical pain, it’s easy to feel powerless. But if you’ve been hurt on the job in Pennsylvania, you have legal rights, and understanding those rights is the first step toward protecting your health and your livelihood. At Schmidt Kirifides, Rassias & Rio, we empower injured workers across Folcroft and beyond to take back control of their futures through Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system.

A Look at Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation System

Workers’ compensation is a statewide system designed to support employees who are injured on the job or develop work-related illnesses. It provides wage loss payments, medical care, and other benefits to help you recover without having to sue your employer.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, under the Department of Labor & Industry, oversees the system and ensures that injured workers receive the benefits they’re entitled to under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. Most employers are required to carry workers’ comp insurance, and in return, employees who are hurt at work generally cannot sue their employer directly.

But just because the system exists to protect you doesn’t mean it always works that way, especially when insurance companies and employers try to limit or deny your claim.

The Rights of Injured Workers

Pennsylvania law gives you several key rights after a workplace injury:

• The Right to Medical Care: You are entitled to have your medical expenses paid for by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance. This includes emergency treatment, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, medications, and surgeries.
• The Right to Wage Loss Benefits: If your injury keeps you from working or limits the hours or tasks you can perform, you may be entitled to partial wage replacement. These benefits are typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
• The Right to Make Choices About Your Care: During the first 90 days after your injury, your employer may require you to see an approved doctor, but only if they’ve provided a proper list of providers in writing. After that, you may choose your own physician.

You also have the right to legal representation, and you’re protected from retaliation if you file a claim in good faith.

Employer Responsibilities Under the Law

Employers in Folcroft and throughout Pennsylvania are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. They must also act quickly and fairly when a worker gets hurt. This means:

• Reporting the Injury: Once you report your injury, your employer should notify their insurance company and file appropriate paperwork with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
• Cooperating With the Process: Your employer must not delay or obstruct your claim.
• Avoiding Retaliation: It is illegal for an employer to fire, demote, harass, or otherwise punish you for filing a workers’ compensation claim.

If your employer fails to meet these obligations, you have the right to take action, and we can help.

Common Pitfalls That Can Hurt a Claim

Even when you have a valid claim, certain missteps can jeopardize your ability to collect benefits:

• Waiting Too Long to Report the Injury: Pennsylvania law requires that you notify your employer within 120 days, but ideally, you should report it immediately.
• Skipping Medical Appointments or Ignoring Your Doctor’s Advice: Not following through on care can be used against you later.
• Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Advice: Adjusters are trained to protect the company’s bottom line, not your best interests. What you say could be used to minimize your claim.

These mistakes are avoidable, and hiring a Folcroft workers’ compensation lawyer can make all the difference.

How Legal Representation Can Strengthen Your Claim

At Schmidt Kirifides, Rassias & Rio, we’ve spent decades standing up for injured workers in Delaware County and beyond. We know the tactics insurers use to delay or deny claims, and we push back hard.

We help you:

• Communicate Strategically: We handle interactions with insurance companies so you don’t say something that could hurt your case.
• Build a Strong Claim: We collect medical records, secure witness testimony, and prepare you for hearings or depositions if needed.
• Maximize Your Compensation: We work to ensure you receive every dollar you’re entitled to, whether your injury is temporary, permanent, partial, or total.

When your health, finances, and future are at stake, the right attorney can be your strongest ally.

Don’t Settle for Less Than You Deserve

No one expects to get injured at work. But if it happens, you don’t have to go through the process alone or settle for less than what you’re owed. Knowing your rights and acting quickly can protect your income, your health, and your future.

If you were hurt on the job in Folcroft, the team at Schmidt Kirifides, Rassias & Rio is here to help. Call us today at 610-892-9300 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.