If you have been injured on the job, you might need serious coverage to help you get through this difficult time. Fortunately, Workers’ Compensation is usually available to injured employees in Langhorne.
Recovering Workers’ Compensation means adhering to a strict formal process to receive benefits. You will need to complete numerous steps to successfully file your claim, which our Workers’ Compensation can help you navigate. Workers’ Compensation is designed to compensate you for a workplace accident whether your injuries are minor or life-altering.
For a free case review with our Workers’ Compensation lawyers, contact Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 today.
What to Do After Getting Injured on the Job to Recover Workers’ Compensation in Langhorne
Getting compensation after being injured at work is crucial to supporting you and your family. Fortunately, our Worker’s Compensation attorneys can help you navigate the claims process and ensure your case is thoroughly prepared before filing. Before you can file, however, you must report your injuries to your employer to formally begin the claims process. Also, adhere to the medical treatments prescribed and be sure to make any appointments you are scheduled for.
Report Your Injuries
To initiate a Workers’ Compensation claim in Langhorne, you need to first report your injuries to your employer. It is advised that you report your injuries immediately after the accident to avoid any potential negative impact on your claim. However, you have a maximum of 21 days from the date of injury to report your workplace injuries to your employer. Failure to do so within this timeframe, however, could result in a denial of your benefits. After you have reported your injuries, your employer should notify their insurance provider of your injuries to begin the claims process. If your employer does not give you any trouble over your potential claim, they should provide you with a list of medical providers for you to choose from and receive medical care for your injuries.
Seek Medical Care
If your employer does provide you with a selection of medical providers after being injured at work, it is critical that you visit one of them as soon as possible to have your condition diagnosed. The doctor will evaluate your injuries and suggest suitable treatment options to manage your pain and prevent any further damage. If your injuries prevent you from standing or walking without experiencing pain, physical therapy could also be prescribed by your doctor as part of your treatment plan. Your diagnosis will be a critical factor in deciding the duration of your leave from work and the amount of benefits you should receive.
If you do not visit one of the approved doctors or wait too long to receive treatment, your claim will likely be denied. You have options, however, if you do not agree with the doctor’s recommendations or they want to perform an invasive procedure like surgery. In these situations, you can get a second opinion from a medical provider of your choosing. You will need to follow the initial doctor’s recommendations, though, if the second opinion agrees with them.
Collect Documentation
It is also important to document your injuries after a workplace accident in Langhorne. You will usually need documentation to prove that you were actually hurt on the job and that you followed all of the company’s guidelines for reporting your accident. You should be sure to write down what happened, preferably just after the accident, while the details are still fresh in your head. The more detailed your description is, the better. Write down who was involved, where the incident occurred, and what time it happened. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact information. Include any photographs or videos you have of the incident as well. If possible, take pictures of your injuries so you can preserve evidence of their severity for later use.
Your medical records will also be crucial to recovering Workers’ Compensation benefits. Without medical documentation of your injuries, you will not have proof that you suffered actual damages in the accident.
File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
In Langhorne and throughout Pennsylvania, injured workers are required to file their own Workers’ Compensation claims. If you have gathered the necessary documentation, this should not be too difficult. Once your claim is approved, you should start receiving benefits after a mandatory 7-day waiting period.
Keep in mind, though, that your employer’s insurance provider has up to 90 days to give final approval to your claim. This means that your claim could still be denied within 90 days. If there is no denial within 90 days, your benefits will be clear.
Common Injuries You Can Get Worker’s Compensation Benefits for in Langhorne
Workplace injuries can be devastating and are more common than one would hope. In some cases, injured workers might need compensation for the remainder of their lives. The following are the most common injuries victims receive Workers’ Compensation benefits for in Langhorne:
Falling Object Injuries
Falling object injuries occur when you are hit by an object that falls from above. This can be anything from a falling pipe or ladder to a piece of equipment that tips over. Although these injuries are often minor, they can cause some serious damage and even death if the object strikes a victim directly on the skull.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents usually occur when someone who is supposed to be maintaining a safe work environment fails to do so, causing an employee to fall and injure themselves. These accidents can also happen when a coworker accidentally spills water or some other slippery substance onto the floor and fails to clean the area. If you have been injured in this way, it is important that you report the incident immediately so that you can preserve any potential evidence of the accident, like surveillance footage.
Repetitive Motion and Overexertion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries are caused by doing the same motion over and over again. The body becomes fatigued and overworked, leading to injury. Repetitive motion injuries can include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis, and other chronic painful conditions. These injuries can be difficult to prove but can be shown by having an expert witness explain the nature of the work you engaged in and how it affects a person’s body.
Crushing Injuries
Crushing injuries occur when a worker is pinned between two objects or crushed by a falling object, such as a heavy piece of equipment or building debris. Crushing injuries are responsible for some of the most catastrophic injuries workers suffer, including paralysis and amputations. They can also easily result in the death of a victim if the machinery is not stopped. Many victims of crushing injuries will require benefits to cover their treatment for a long time, possibly for life.
Our Langhorne Worker’s Compensation Attorneys Can Help
Call Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 for a free case assessment with our Workers’ Compensation attorneys.