Ask Ben about workers' Comp
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Uniontown Office:
92 East Main St., Suite #20
Uniontown, PA 15401
P: 724-438-1616
F: 724-438-1664
Carmichaels Office:
106 Carmichaels Plaza
Carmichaels, PA 15320
P: 724-966-9090
F: 724-966-8080
Workers' Compensation
Workers’ Compensation law in Pennsylvania is designed to provide various forms of compensation to employees who suffer injuries in the course of performing their jobs regardless of who is at fault for the injury. Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation is considered no fault meaning even if you are at fault for your injury you still can recover for your injuries. It is important to note that a Workers’ Compensation claim is not a lawsuit against your employer but rather a claim against your employer’s insurance company. Workers who are injured on the job and who are unable to perform their job may be entitled to the following benefits:
Medical Benefits: In almost all cases, the injured worker will be entitled to reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the work place injury.
Total Disability: If you are completely unable to work, you can receive up to 2/3rd of your average weekly wage subject to a maximum rate which is set every year in Pennsylvania.
Partial Disability: Partial disability benefits are available if you are able to return to work but must do a job that pays less. In such a case, you may be able to receive up to 2/3rd of the difference in wages. Like total disability benefits, partial disability benefits can be awarded for up to 500 weeks.
Specific Loss Benefits: In the event that you suffer permanent loss of use of a body part or suffer an amputation, you may be able to collect a payment for specific loss of the affected part of your body.
Disfigurement: In the event you have a scar or burn as a result of a work injury or a surgery to treat a work injury, you may be entitled to payment for your disfigurement in addition to your medical and disability benefits.
Death Benefits: Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and good hard working people die as a result of performing their job duties. If a loved one has been killed or died as a result of a work injury or disease, you and your family may be entitled to compensation and funeral benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act.
A common questions is, “If I am receiving Workers’ Compensation, why do I need an
attorney?” Even if you are currently receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits, it is important to have a lawyer monitor your case. Often lawyers for the insurance companies will file Petitions to Suspend, Modify, and even Terminate your Workers’ Compensation Benefits altogether. Once they do so, your time to act is limited. The benefit of having a Workers’ Compensation lawyer monitor your case while you are still receiving benefits is that your lawyer will be familiar with your case and be able to represent your interests quicker than if he or she is reviewing your case for the first time under the time constraints the law often provide. Even if you are currently receiving Worker Compensation, the Law Offices of Benjamin F. Goodwin, Esquire will be happy to monitor you case for free.
In the event you suffer an injury at work, it is important to report your injury to your employer as quickly as possible. While you have 120 days to report your injury, workers who report their injury within 21 days receive Workers’ Compensation benefits from the date of the injury. So the sooner you report, the better it is for your case. If you're currently receiving Workers’ Compensation, have received a Termination Petition, Suspension Petition, or Modification Petition, or have been offered a settlement by the insurance company and would like to sit down and discuss you options, please call the Law Offices of Benjamin F. Goodwin, Esquire, today at (724) 438-1616 or (724) 966-9090 for a free, no pressure, no obligation consultation regarding your rights.