Getting injured on the job is one of the most difficult positions a worker can find themselves in. Their injuries might require significant treatment at a time when they are usually out of work healing.
Fortunately, Workers’ Compensation insurance will cover most workplace-related accidents. If you work for an employer required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance, you should receive benefits after successfully filing a claim. It is important to follow each step of the process to ensure that your claim is not denied.
Contact Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 today for a free case review with our Workers’ Compensation attorneys.
Types of Workplace Injuries that Worker’s Compensation Covers in Bristol
Whether minor or severe, many different types of common workplace injuries are covered by Worker’s Compensation in Bristol. Our Worker’s Compensation attorneys can help you recover benefits no matter the injuries you suffered on the job.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries are one of the most common types of workplace injuries in Bristol. These can occur when an employee slips on wet floors or trips over uneven floors or stairs. These accidents usually result from a coworker or employer’s negligence.
Injuries from Falling Objects
Another common workplace injury is when an object falls from above, causing damage to a worker below. This can happen when materials are stacked improperly during construction or even when items fall out of bins in storage areas.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries (RMI) occur as a result of performing the same tasks over and over again without rest periods in between. These injuries are most common in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and agriculture where workers may spend hours on end performing repetitive tasks with their hands or feet.
Entanglement Injuries
Some workers also suffer from entanglement injuries as a result of being trapped in machinery, equipment, or other objects at work. Examples include getting caught in a conveyer belt or wire mesh fence while working on a construction site.
Injuries from Overexertion
Overexertion injuries occur when someone puts too much force on their body during an activity or event that does not require that much effort in order for it to succeed. An example of this would be lifting too many boxes at once or carrying an object with excessive weight for your size and strength level.
Types of Employees that Worker’s Compensation Covers in Bristol
If you’re employed in Bristol, chances are you are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance, whether you are a full-time or part-time employee. Pennsylvania law requires employers with at least one employee to provide Workers’ Compensation coverage to all employees who work at least 40 hours per week and have an employer-employee relationship.
One of the benefits of Workers’ Compensation insurance is that it covers employees who are injured on the job, even if the injury occurred outside of Pennsylvania. As long as the employee was working for a Pennsylvania-based company at the time of the injury, they are still eligible for coverage.
Workers’ Compensation insurance provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This means that employees can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related expenses without having to prove that their employer was negligent.
While Workers’ Compensation insurance covers most employees in Bristol, there are some exceptions to this rule. Certain industries or positions may be exempt from coverage, leaving employees without protection in the event of a work-related injury. For instance, Workers’ Compensation does not typically cover domestic servants and agricultural workers who work seasonally. Further, Federal employees, like railroad workers, as well as religious organization employees, are also not covered under Workers’ Compensation. Also, commercial truck drivers, rideshare drivers like Uber and Lyft drivers, and taxi drivers are typically not covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance because they are independent contractors and do not have a traditional employer-employee relationship recognized by Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation law.
If you are one of the many covered workers in Bristol, your Workers’ Compensation coverage begins your first day of employment. However, you might need to file a lawsuit after your accident if you find out later that your employer does not carry Workers’ Compensation insurance in violation of the law.
What to Do After Getting Injured at Work in Bristol
There are many steps to successfully recovering Workers’ Compensation benefits after a workplace accident. Because it is a highly bureaucratic process, failure to follow each step could mean a denial of your claim.
Inform Your Employer of Your Injuries
If you have been injured at work and need to file a Workers’ Compensation claim, it is crucial to report your injuries to your employer as soon as possible. Failing to do so can significantly impact your claim and result in a loss of compensation. While it’s best to report your injuries immediately after the accident, Pennsylvania law allows you up to 21 days from the date of injury to report the incident to your employer. However, waiting until the deadline can increase the likelihood of complications and reduce your chances of receiving compensation.
Visit an Employer-Approved Doctor
Once you’ve reported your accident to your employer, they will file a report with their insurance provider. You will then need to undergo a medical assessment, usually done by a doctor provided by your employer. If your employer does not provide a list of doctors, you may be able to visit one of your choosing. However, you should do so immediately, as waiting to get treatment will open the door for the insurance company to argue that your injuries were not substantial and potentially deny your claim. If the doctor recommends a treatment that does not seem right for your injuries or is insisting that you can return to work even though you are not fully healed, you have the right to seek a second opinion from your own doctor.
File Your Claim
It is ultimately your responsibility to file a Workers’ Compensation claim if you wish to receive compensation. To ensure that your claim is approved, you will need to provide evidence of your injuries, showing how serious your injuries are and projected recovery time before you can work again. If your claim is approved, you can expect to receive payments after a 7-day waiting period.
However, it is crucial to be aware that the insurance company may still deny your claim even after payments have started. The insurance company ultimately has up to 90 days to deny your claim. Fortunately, you can appeal a claim denial and have your evidence reviewed by a Workers’ Compensation judge.
Our Bristol Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help
For a free case assessment with our Workers’ Compensation attorneys, contact Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 today.
