Haverford is a wealthy unincorporated community that is located just outside of Philadelphia. The community is located in both Haverford Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA, and Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County.
Many notable people have started businesses in Haverford that have gone on to national or international success. For instance, Haverford’s roots include the shipbuilding and shipyards of Joshua Humphreys, who designed and built the U.S. frigate Constitution, typically known as Old Ironsides. In more modern history, Haverford is also the birthplace of the founder of the Vanguard investment group. Thus, there is a history of a strong work ethic and dedication to one’s work in Haverford. However, a workplace injury or medical event can seemingly put into question all that you have worked for.
To discuss how our Workers’ Compensation lawyers might be able to help, call Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400.
When You Will Receive Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Haverford, PA
The timing for when you will receive your Workers’ Compensation benefits depends on your particular circumstances. It is important to file your claims promptly, as any delay in doing so will prolong the payment process. To ensure that your claim has the best chance of getting approved, consider working with our experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyers. If you inform your employer of your injuries right away, but they do not notify the insurance company promptly, your payment might be delayed. Additionally, if your application contains inaccuracies, lacks sufficient evidence, or faces other challenges during the claims process, your payment can be postponed, or your claim might even be rejected.
Once your claim is approved, you can expect to start receiving benefits after seven days. However, you must check to see if the compensation you receive is temporary. If it is, this indicates that the insurance company is conducting a more comprehensive investigation into your claim. The insurance company has a maximum of 90 days to investigate your case further but must make a decision to approve or deny it within that timeframe. Once your claim is fully approved, you will receive a “notice of compensation payable” that confirms the final compensation agreement.
When going through the Workers’ Compensation process, it is possible that your employer or insurance company might treat you unfairly. It is important to keep in mind that insurance companies prioritize their own interests, while your employer might be focused on getting you back to work as soon as possible. If your situation requires it, legal action might be necessary to obtain damages for your injuries.
What Types of Benefits Can I Get Through Workers’ Compensation in Haverford, PA?
Many people in Pennsylvania are aware of the Workers’ Compensation system and its goals of providing stability for a house following a work injury. However, they are not particularly familiar with the exact ways the Workers’ Compensation achieves these goals. In particular, people understand that certain benefits are available but may not necessarily realize how comprehensive the benefits might be. If you suffer a covered workplace injury or disability in Pennsylvania, you might be able to receive the following benefits:
Lost Wages
If you are forced to stop working or if an ongoing injury or disability has forced you into less lucrative employment, you can qualify for lost wage benefits. These cash benefits can help stabilize your household after a serious injury.
Specific Loss Damages
If you suffer the amputation or loss of use of a certain body part, you can receive compensation. Pinching and crushing injuries where fingers, arms, legs, and other body parts are pulled into machinery can result in specific loss damages.
Medical Benefits
If you are hurt at work and need medical treatment, your hospital bills and other medical costs will be covered. While you will have to see a company doctor initially, you can change physicians after a certain amount of time has passed.
Death Benefits
If your loved one was killed in a work accident or due to exposure to a chemical or substance at work, death benefits are available. It is important to note that the Workers’ Compensation system provides benefits through its own systems and processes. Thus, you will not typically need to or be permitted to file a lawsuit. However, you will need to present proof and evidence of your injury and its connection to your workplace in proceedings that occur as part of the Workers’ Compensation system.
What Steps Should I Take After Getting Hurt at Work in Haverford, PA?
If you are hurt at work, you should report the injury to your boss or direct supervisor as soon as possible. Ideally, your report should occur no more than 21 days following the injury event, or become aware that a condition at work has caused a medical event or condition. In any case, you must make your report within 120 days if you want to obtain Workers’ Compensation benefits.
If you were hurt at work and it appears that your employer is prepared to challenge your claim, it is wise to seek out a Workers’ Compensation lawyer as soon as possible. They can begin by assessing the events surrounding your injury. Your lawyer will then begin marshalling medical evidence. They will endeavor to show that your injury has a causal connection to your work. They will also endeavor to show the limiting effects and impacts of your injury in the context of your past employment. An experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer understands that the burden of legal proof falls on the injury victim and will therefore prepare accordingly to provide the best possible chance to secure benefits.
Visiting an Employer-Approved Doctor After Getting Injured on the Job in Haverford, PA
After reporting your accident to your employer, they will file a report with their insurance provider. You will then need to undergo a medical assessment, usually conducted by a doctor provided by your employer. If your employer does not provide a list of doctors, you can choose one yourself.
However, you should do so promptly to prevent the insurance company from arguing that your injuries were not significant and potentially denying your claim. If the recommended treatment from the doctor does not seem right for your injuries or they insist that you can return to work when you do not believe that you are fully healed, you have the right to seek a second opinion from your own doctor. If your second doctor agrees with the original diagnosis, though, you will need to receive treatment from your employer-approved doctor.
Understanding the Appeals Process If Your Haverford, PA Workers’ Compensation Claim is Denied
If your Workers’ Compensation claim gets denied by the insurance company, we can assist you with appealing the decision. This will allow you to start receiving payments as soon as possible. However, the appeals process can be tricky and time-consuming. If your first appeal is unsuccessful, you can opt for another appeal. However, this often leads to a delay in receiving your payments.
Appeals to a Workers’ Compensation Judge
In case your claim gets rejected at first, you have the option to take the matter to a Workers’ Compensation judge. Depending on where the employee resides, Workers’ compensation appeals are generally assigned to a judge. Once assigned, a notice of assignment is issued to the parties, announcing the judge in charge of the Worker’s Compensation hearing. The judge will then review the evidence and hear arguments before making a decision during the hearing.
Appeals to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board
If the judge does not rule in your favor, you have the option to file an appeal either electronically or by mail within 20 calendar days of their decision. This appeal should be directed to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. If the board agrees with the judge’s decision to deny your claim, you can then proceed to appeal to the Pennsylvania courts.
Appeals to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court and the Supreme Court
If you receive an unfavorable decision from the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, you have 30 days to appeal to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. In the event that your claim is denied again, you may choose to appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. You must submit your appeal to the Supreme Court within 30 days of receiving the Commonwealth Court’s decision.
Employees that are Covered by Workers’ Compensation in Haverford
In Haverford, both full-time and part-time employees are typically included in Workers’ Compensation insurance. Employers in Pennsylvania are required to provide this coverage for their employees if they have at least one worker who works 40 or more hours per week and has an employer-employee relationship with the employer. Additionally, employees are protected under this coverage even if their injuries did not happen in Pennsylvania, as long as they were hurt on the job while working for a company based in Pennsylvania.
If a worker gets injured while on the job, they may be eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses and lost wages. The duration of Worker’s Compensation benefits will depend on the extent of the injury and the length of time the employee is unable to work due to the work-related injury.
Although most employees in Haverford are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance, there are some exceptions. Employees in certain industries or positions might not be covered, such as Amazon delivery drivers, taxi drivers, and Uber and Lyft drivers, as they are classified as independent contractors. In addition, federal employees and those who work for religious organizations are typically covered by other Workers’ Compensation laws, not Pennsylvania’s. Further, agricultural workers who work seasonally and domestic servants are also usually exempt from coverage.
The good news is that your Workers’ Compensation coverage will kick in right when you start working. Even if you get injured on your very first day, you are still covered. However, if your employer neglects to provide Workers’ Compensation insurance when they are supposed to, you might need to look into other avenues to seek compensation, like taking legal action against your employer.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Serving Haverford, PA Can Fight for You
To discuss whether our Workers’ Compensation lawyers’ services are right for your situation, contact Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 today.
