If you are injured at a construction site in Delaware County, you have a right to recover benefits through Workers’ Compensation. However, recovering benefits can be challenging as the process can be extremely complex.
Fortunately, working with our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation attorneys can increase your chances of receiving compensation. First, it is crucial that you report your injuries and seek medical attention immediately so that there are no delays in approving your claim. However, you can appeal a negative decision if your claim is ultimately denied.
If you were injured on a construction site, call our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation attorneys at Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 for a free assessment of your case.
How to Recover Workers’ Compensation for a Construction Site Injury in Delaware County
After a construction site accident, victims need to report their injuries to receive compensation as soon as possible. However, filing a Workers’ Compensation claim is often a complicated and prolonged process. Our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation attorneys can guide you through the process, including helping you document your injuries, submitting your claim, and challenging any unfavorable decisions.
Reporting Your Injuries
Reporting construction site injuries is of utmost importance when filing a Workers’ Compensation claim in Delaware County. Although employees have a maximum of 120 days to report their injuries, it is highly recommended that you report your accident immediately after it occurs. Delaying your claim might make your injuries appear inconsequential, potentially causing you to lose out on the compensation you need. Our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation lawyers can offer valuable guidance if you need help reporting your injuries.
Documenting Your Accident
Document any unsafe conditions in the area where you were injured, including any faulty equipment that can explain your accident. You can use your smartphone to photograph the scene. Another good way to gather evidence for your claim is by consulting coworkers who witnessed your accident. Ask them to provide details of what they witnessed and document everything in writing. Also, be sure to get their contact information so our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation lawyer can follow up with them later to get their testimony.
Furthermore, you should obtain copies of all official reports of your construction site accident. This can include police reports, medical records, and other documents your employer or insurance company made. You can request that your employer provide you with copies of any internal investigations of your accident and statements made by other witnesses if any were made.
Filing Your Claim
To receive compensation for their injuries, injured construction workers in Delaware County must submit their claims to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. Before that, though, their employers must file a claim with their Workers’ Compensation insurance provider to initiate the claims process. Victims must provide a detailed account of their accident and submit clear medical evidence of their injuries. Gathering the necessary information to file a Workers’ Compensation claim in Delaware County can be a time-consuming process, leaving many injured construction workers feeling overwhelmed. Work with our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation attorneys to ensure that your Workers’ Compensation claim is filed correctly and promptly.
Getting Medical Care
After reporting your construction site injuries, it is critical to get medical attention immediately. Proper medical documentation is necessary to receive benefits from your Workers’ Compensation claim. In Delaware County, employers are permitted to provide a panel of approved physicians, and employees must visit one of these physicians within 90 days of the injury. Failure to meet the treatment deadline can result in the denial of your claim. After 90 days from your first doctor’s visit, you can then visit any doctor you choose and do not need to go to one of the employer’s approved physicians.
Appealing Claim Denials
If your Workers’ Compensation claim is denied, you can file an appeal. While the appeals process can be lengthy and entails a hearing before a Workers’ Compensation judge, it is often worth it to recover the benefits you are entitled to. If the judge rules against you, you have 20 days to appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. If you receive an unfavorable decision from the Board, you have 30 days to appeal to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
If none of the above measures were successful, you can appeal to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania within 30 days of receiving a negative decision from the Commonwealth Court. To make the process go as fast as possible, it is important to work with our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation attorneys to avoid unnecessary delays in getting your benefits.
Damages that a Delaware County Workers’ Compensation Claim Can Cover
The timeline for receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits can vary depending on the specifics of your case. While certain benefits might be available immediately, others may not begin until a set amount of time has passed. It’s also important to note that Workers’ Compensation benefits have limitations, and the amount and duration of payments you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries.
To start, payment for medical expenses is typically available from the date of the injury. However, it’s crucial to report the accident to your employer and seek medical attention immediately, as delays or denials in medical payment could occur if there is a delay in notification.
In addition, Workers’ Compensation will usually cover some of your lost income, but typically only after a disability period of seven days more has been reached. These payments do tend to occur over a period of time. However, retroactive payments for lost income can be made from the date of your injury once you have been disabled for 14 days.
It’s crucial to inform your employer of the accident on the same day it occurs, as failing to do so within 21 days could result in a delay in compensation. If 120 days have passed and no notice has been given, you might not be able to claim compensation at all. To ensure that you start the claims process quickly, our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation lawyers can help you notify your employer of the damages you have suffered.
Our Delaware County Construction Site Injury and Compensation Attorneys Can Help
For a free case consultation, contact our Delaware County construction site injury and compensation attorneys at Lerner, Steinberg & Associates today at (215) 355-6400.
