Injured employees are often worried about when they can return to work and how they will make ends meet while recovering. Filing a Workers’ Compensation claim might be the answer you are looking for.
You need to notify your employer about your injuries as soon as possible, ideally straight away. Your employer is legally required to provide you with information about Workers’ Compensation insurance, including how to begin a claim. Exactly when your claim must be submitted depends on when your injuries prevent you from working, but you should focus on filing your claims quickly. Once you have notified your boss, they must notify the insurance company, and you might be issued temporary benefits while your case is being reviewed. Once approved, you can receive benefits for a portion of lost wages in addition to medical coverage. It is best to hire a lawyer to handle your claim so that forms are properly filled out and submitted and you get as much compensation as possible.
Get in touch with our Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Lerner, Steinberg & Associates to schedule a free evaluation of your claim by calling (215) 355-6400.
How Do I Start a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Conshohocken?
Getting a claim for Worker’s Compensation started is often one of the hardest parts of the process. Not only do you need to figure out a complex legal process, but you are also injured, in pain, and in need of medical care. Your employer should help you figure out how to get your claim started, and our Workers’ Compensation attorneys can help you make sure your claim is properly filled out and submitted.
Where to Get Details about Workers’ Compensation
One of the biggest hurdles in a Workers’ Compensation claim is getting it started. Often, injured workers are unsure of how to begin a claim and do not know whom to ask or where to start. Under 34 Pa. Code § 121.3b(a), your employer is legally required to provide you with information and material about filing a Workers’ Compensation claim.
Under this rule, employers are required to provide all employees with information about Workers’ Compensation at the time they are hired and after an employee is injured. If your boss is being dodgy about giving you this information, something is wrong, and you should speak to a lawyer.
Part of the information your employer must give you is about when and how to begin your claim. Ideally, injured workers should report their accidents and injuries to their bosses right away. Once the boss is notified, they can submit a notice of the incident to their Workers’ Compensation insurance provider, and the claims process can begin.
When to Submit the Claim
Exactly when you should submit your claim can be a tricky question to answer. In a perfect situation, your claim would be submitted as soon as possible, but getting a claim submitted quickly is not always feasible. For some, their injuries might be so severe that they need time to recover before they can even think of starting a claim. For others, their employer might withhold important information, preventing them from getting their claims off the ground.
While you should report your injury to your employer immediately, your employer does not necessarily have to submit any notice to their insurance provider, depending on your injuries. If an accident results in a worker’s death, an employer must report the incident within 48 hours, according to 34 Pa. Code § 121.5(a). For all other accidents, employers should make a report within 7 days of the date your disability begins.
The Process of Your Claim
Your Workers’ Compensation claim follows a very specific set of procedures. After your employer submits a first report of your injuries to their insurer, you should receive either a denial or notice of temporary compensation within 21 days. If your claim is denied, an attorney can help you litigate the matter and hopefully get a different outcome.
Temporary compensation may be granted if the insurance company needs additional time to look into and review your claim. Temporary compensation can last up to 90 days before the insurer must deny or approve your claim.
If your claim is approved, you should receive a notice of compensation payable and a form about the compensation agreement. This agreement should contain details about what kind of compensation you will receive and how long you may receive it.
Available Benefits Under Workers’ Compensation in Conshohocken
Workers’ Compensation benefits in Pennsylvania include coverage for lost wages and medical expenses. However, these benefits are not unlimited. Although injured employees can look forward to making up for lost income, only a portion of their income is covered. Generally, about two-thirds of your average weekly salary is paid through Workers’ Compensation up to a maximum amount determined by law. The bright side is that you may continue receiving these benefits for as long as your disability persists, and payments are tax-free.
It is important to present accurate information about your wages when applying for Workers’ Compensation. This might be challenging if your income is based on commission, tips, or is otherwise irregular.
Medical expenses are also covered, but only those necessary for your treatment. Services from your doctor, surgery, hospital accommodations, medicine, and equipment like crutches or wheelchairs should be covered by Workers’ Compensation. However, if a certain procedure or medication is not entirely necessary for your recovery, it might not be covered. Speak to an attorney if the insurance company denies your medical coverage.
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Workers’ Compensation Claim in Conshohocken?
You should speak to an attorney about filing your Workers’ Compensation as quickly as you can. It might seem like you do not need an attorney since your employer is the one responsible for notifying the insurance company of your injury. However, an attorney will greatly help if the insurance company pushes back on your claims or tries to deny you. Having an attorney from the beginning of your case will help you if your lawyer needs to litigate your case in court.
Call Our Conshohocken Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
To schedule a case assessment at no cost to you, call our Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400.
