Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Most people probably think Pennsylvania workers’ compensation payments cover medical expenses and lost wages. These two are the most common, but there are other payments that you may qualify for if you suffered an injury or illness while on the job.

The question is: How do you know if you’re entitled to these other benefits? By hiring our experienced lawyers from the beginning, we can make help make sure you get all the payments you should receive.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Payments

• Lost Wages – If you were injured while at work, you may be entitled to payments for lost wages. These payments are a percentage of the amount you received before you were injured. If you were injured recently or if your employer’s insurance company denied you, you can file a claim petition for your lost wages.
  
  Once the claim petition is filed, a judge will hold a series of hearings about your case and make a decision. Many people try to file the claim petition on their own and run into major problems later.

  We recommend you hire an attorney as soon as you are denied benefits. At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we pay all the legal costs upfront, and you won’t owe us anything if we don’t get you workers’ compensation benefits. If you go it alone, you will have to pay those costs, and you run the risk of completing the petition incorrectly.

• Medical Expenses – This payment covers any necessary medical expenses required to treat your injury or illness. It’s important to know that there is a difference between medical expenses and lost wages or other payments. Even if you receive medical expenses, the insurance company may try to deny your lost wages or other benefits.
• Scars – If your workplace injury left you with a scar on your head, face, or neck, you may be eligible for an additional payment over and above any lost wages. Even if you don’t miss a day of work, you can still file a claim petition for a scar. You also may be eligible for this benefit if your injury required surgery that resulted in a scar on your face, head, or neck.
• Specific Loss – If you were injured at work, and the injury resulted in amputation, loss of a limb, or permanent loss of use of a body part, you may be eligible for this benefit. Payment for specific loss may affect your lost wages, so please talk to one of our lawyers before accepting this payment.
• Death Benefits – If a work injury or illness results in death, the surviving family members who were dependent on the deceased worker’s income may be eligible to receive a death benefit payment from Pennsylvania workers’ compensation. The amount of the death benefit payment will depend upon the relationship to the deceased worker. The insurance company may also give a funeral benefit directly to the funeral director to help pay for the cost of the funeral.
• Lump Sum Settlements – A lump sum settlement also is called a “Compromise & Release.” If you have been off of work for at least four months, and you were collecting workers’ compensation benefits at that time, you may be eligible to collect a one-time payment instead of weekly workers’ compensation payments. You may request a lump sum settlement, or the insurance company may contact you about accepting a lump sum settlement.

  This option may or may not be a good fit for you and could affect your medical payments. Please contact our law firm for a free consultation prior to agreeing to a lump sum settlement. If you accept a lump sum settlement, you will no longer receive workers’ compensation checks. The insurance company will not owe you another cent.

• Uninsured Employer – In Pennsylvania, injured workers with uninsured employers may be entitled to compensation through the Uninsured Employer Guaranty Fund. To receive payments from the Pennsylvania Uninsured Employer Guaranty Fund, you must file a claim within 45 days of the date that you learn your employer is uninsured. We also highly recommend you hire an attorney at this point, because the funds are limited, and an attorney can help pursue a workers’ compensation claim on your behalf.

Injured at Work? Get a Free Legal Evaluation Now

If you’re an injured worker and were denied workers’ compensation, or if the insurance company is trying to stop your payments, contact Edgar Snyder & Associates right away. We’ve seen too many people try to handle a claim petition on their own and ruin their chances of receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

When you hire our law firm, we take care of the costs upfront, and there’s no fee unless we get money for you. If we don’t get you workers’ compensation benefits, you won’t owe us anything.

We’ve helped over 7,000 injured workers get the workers’ compensation benefits they need. Don’t fall into the insurance company traps – call 1-866-9-4EDGAR (1-866-943-3427), or fill out a free legal evaluation form online. It’s absolutely free, with no obligation. Protect your rights as an injured worker now.