An accidental fall can cause serious injuries. These injuries may be temporarily disabling, permanently disabling, or even fatal. If the accidental fall occurred while the victim was working, the worker or their family may be able to get compensated by filing a Workers’ Compensation claim. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to get the Workers’ Compensation benefits that an injury victim is entitled to, particularly if an employer makes an error or violates the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. However, the Philadelphia workman’s comp lawyers of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates can help you and your loved ones fight for fair benefits under the law.
At Lerner, Steinberg & Associates, we have more than 60 years of experience aiding injured and disabled workers with all aspects of the Workers’ Compensation laws in Pennsylvania, including claim denials, the reduction of benefits, the termination of benefits, the suspension of benefits, forced resignations, employer failures to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage, and other legal issues that affect workers and their families. If you or your spouse fell at work in Philadelphia and suffered an injury as a result, turn to Lerner, Steinberg & Associates for legal guidance. For a free consultation, call our law offices at (215) 355-6400, or contact us online today.
Can You Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits for a Fall at Work?
The short answer to this question is that Workers’ Compensation benefits are available to most workers, for most injuries, under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. This is because the Act requires nearly all employers to provide coverage for all employees, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers. However, a fall injury may not be covered if it was self-inflicted, or if the accident resulted from breaking a state or federal law.
To receive benefits, it is critical that you notify your employer of the injury as soon as it safe for you to do so. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that your claim will be approved. There is a risk that your claim will be denied by your employer or the insurance company – even if your injury is serious – for reasons like late paperwork, improper reporting, and employer errors.
Try not to panic if this occurs, because a claim denial is not necessarily the end of the matter. However, you will need to take additional steps to secure the compensation you deserve. The attorneys of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates can guide you through the appeals process, which is the process of challenging a claim denial. This process can be complicated, with strict requirements for evidence, so it is crucial to be represented by a denied benefits lawyer for a workplace fall in Philadelphia.
If your claim is approved, benefits begin on the eighth day after you fell. Once you have been out of work for 14 days, benefits for the initial seven days will be retroactively applied. Unless there is a problem with the claim, your first check should arrive within 21 days of your departure from work.
Common Injuries Caused by Falling at Work
A fall at work can result in a host of serious injuries. Types of injuries that can be caused by work fall accidents include:
- Back injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, which can cause paralysis.
- Broken ankles, fractured bones in the feet, or broken shins (fractured tibias), which are likely to occur if the victim falls onto their feet from a height.
- Head injuries and brain injuries, such as skull fractures and concussions.
- Facial injuries, such as a broken nose or cracked cheekbone.
- Fractured wrists, which frequently occur when fall victims try to brace for impact.
- Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding and abdominal trauma, which are more likely to occur if the victim falls from a high area.
Sadly, there are also many cases where workplace falls prove fatal for the victim. Certain types of workers are at greater risk of fatal falls on the job than others. For example, statistics compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) show that falls are the number one cause of work-related death in the construction industry, accounting for nearly 39% of all construction fatalities in 2016.
Philadelphia Workplace Fall Injury Attorneys Handling Workman’s Comp Claims
A fall at work can cause disabling injuries that stop you from earning while burdening you with medical bills. However, Workers’ Compensation benefits can provide support while you are recuperating. The attorneys of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates can fight to maximize the value of your claim and protect your rights as an injured worker under the laws of Pennsylvania.
If you were hurt in a workplace fall or workplace slip and fall accident in Philadelphia, get aggressive and reputable representation from attorneys with decades of experience. For a free legal consultation, contact the law offices of Lerner, Steinberg & Associates online, or call us today at (215) 355-6400.
