Many workers in Trevose will eventually be injured at work. However, most employees are covered by the employer’s Workers’ Compensation insurance if they are injured.
Workers’ Compensation laws cover a wide range of accidents and injuries. Unless your accident was caused on purpose or your employer is exempt from the law, your injuries will likely be covered. If injured at work, report your accident immediately and seek medical care. After, our Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help you file your claim.
Call Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 for a free case evaluation with our Workers’ Compensation lawyers.
Employees that are Covered by Workers’ Compensation in Trevose
Most employees in Trevose, regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time, are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance. In Pennsylvania, employers must provide Workers’ Compensation coverage for their employees if they have at least one employee who works 40 or more hours per week, and the employer has an employer-employee relationship with the worker. Further, employees are still covered even if their injuries did not occur within Pennsylvania as long as they were injured on the job while working for a Pennsylvania-based company.
Workers who have been injured can recover compensation for medical treatment and wage loss. The amount of time an employee receives Worker’s Compensation benefits depends on how long they are unable to work and what type of injury they suffered in their workplace accident.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Some employees in Trevose are not covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance because they work in certain industries or positions. For example, Amazon truck drivers, taxi drivers and Uber drivers are usually not covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance because they are considered independent contractors and have no employer-employee relationship with their clients. Also, federal employees and religious organization workers are typically not covered by Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation law but are covered by other Workers’ Compensation laws. Agricultural workers that work seasonally and domestic servants are usually exempt from Workers’ Compensation coverage, as well.
The good news is that your Workers’ Compensation coverage will begin as soon as you start work. If you are injured on your first day, you are still covered. However, if your employer fails to offer Workers’ Compensation insurance when they should, you might need to consider other options to recover compensation, such as filing a lawsuit against your employer.
Injuries and Accidents that Workers’ Compensation Covers in Trevose
Many employees are aware that they are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance but might not know what injuries will be covered and under what circumstances. Fortunately, Workers’ Compensation covers most types of accidents and the injuries that result. However, you should be aware of the conditions that must be satisfied in order to file a claim and what circumstances could disqualify you from recovering compensation.
The most important thing is that your injury must have occurred while you were clocked in and working. However, you do not need to be on-site or at the company office when injured to be covered, only that you were actively engaged in work-related activities. You must also work in an industry that Pennsylvania requires to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. If you are an employee in one of the exempt industries mentioned above, your injuries might not be covered under Pennsylvania law. You must also not have caused your injuries intentionally or because you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you meet these conditions, you should report your injuries to your employer immediately. One of the surest ways to not get compensation is by reporting your injuries too late. Other than that, your workplace accident will likely be covered, regardless of who was at fault for causing it.
How to Recover Workers’ Compensation After a Workplace Injury in Trevose
Recovering compensation after a workplace accident can be a confusing process. One misstep could put your claim in danger of being denied. By following the following steps, you have the best chance of getting your claim approved.
Report the Incident to Your Employer
A Workers’ Compensation claim starts with a report filed with your employer. We strongly recommend that you report your injuries immediately after your accident since waiting can negatively impact your claim later. However, you will have 21 from being injured to report the incident to your employer. If you file your claim later than 21 days, you might be totally prevented from recovering compensation. Once you report your accident, your employer will report your injuries to their insurance provider. You will then need to get a medical assessment, usually done by a doctor provided by the employer.
Get Medical Treatment
It is important that you receive proper medical care immediately after being injured on the job. A doctor will provide an assessment of your injuries and provide recommendations on what type of treatment might help manage pain and prevent further damage from occurring. For example, if you have sustained injuries to your back, leg or knee area and cannot stand or walk without experiencing pain, then physical therapy may be recommended by your doctor as part of his or her treatment plan for you. Your diagnosis will determine how long you should be out of work and receive benefits.
Waiting to report your injuries can seriously impact your ability to recover compensation. If you wait too long, the insurance company might deny your claim or fight your claim by arguing that your injuries are not that serious. In most cases, you employer will have a panel of doctors for you to choose from when seeking medical care. If your employer has a list of approved medical providers, you will need to visit one of the doctors on the list. If your employer does not provide a list, you can visit a doctor of your choice. However, you should seek a second opinion if you believe the employer’s doctors is not properly diagnosing you.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Although your employer will report your accident to the insurance company, it is your responsibility to file your Workers’ Compensation claim. To help get your claim approved, you will need to submit evidence showing the extent of your injuries and the treatment needed to heal and return to work. If your claim is initially approved, you will receive payments after a 7-day waiting period. However, you should be aware that the insurance company could still deny your claim even after you have started receiving payments. Your employer’s insurance company has up to 90 days to investigate your claim further and deny it if they find evidence supporting the denial.
Our Trevose Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help
For a free case assessment with our Workers’ Compensation attorneys, contact Lerner, Steinberg & Associates at (215) 355-6400 today.
