Workers’ Compensation Process

Injured on the job? The workers’ compensation process can be very confusing, and you may have lots of questions.

At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we know that you’re concerned about your health. You may worry about paying your bills or wonder if you’ll have problems with the insurance company.

Our experienced team of lawyers and legal staff are here to help. Not only do we protect your rights as an injured worker, but we also get you through the messy paperwork and confusion that many people deal with when filing Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claims.

Steps in the Workers’ Compensation Process

While every person’s case is different, there is a general process for workers’ compensation:

1. Report Your Injury – You should report your injury immediately to your supervisor, who is responsible for filing an accident report. If your employer has a list of doctors posted at your workplace, you must treat with one of those physicians for the first 90 days.
2. Your Employer Should File a “First Report of Occupational Injury” Form – Your employer should send this form to their insurance company and file it with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The insurance company has 21 days to accept or deny the work injury. To get paid for the first 7 days of lost wages, you must be off work and under a doctor’s care for at least 14 days.
3. Your Employer’s Insurance Company Accepts or Denies Responsibility – If your employer accepts responsibility for your work injury, you should receive a “Notice of Compensation Payable.” If your employer denies responsibility for your work injury, you will receive a “Notice of Compensation Denial.” This is for lost wages. You can receive payments for medical expenses even with a denied claim; they are two separate issues.
4. File a Claim Petition – You have 3 years from the day you were injured (or the date you learned you had an illness) to file a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim petition.
5. The Hearing Process – Depending on the type of petition — whether you were the one who filed the petition or if your employer filed a “Petition to Modify, Suspend, or Terminate” your benefits — you may need to go before a judge in a series of hearings. This step can take several months.
6. File an Appeal – If the judge issues a decision not in your favor, and you disagree, you can file an appeal. If your employer’s insurance company doesn’t agree with the decision, they also can file an appeal. You have 20 days from the day your written decision is issued to file an appeal with the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. The appeals process can be long and confusing, and ultimately could end up in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Don’t Do it on Your Own – Get Help From Experienced Attorneys at Edgar Snyder & Associates

You can represent yourself during the worker’s compensation process. But, even the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry says, “You should be aware that workers’ compensation litigation is complex, and your employer or your employer’s insurance carrier will be represented by an experienced attorney.”

The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation process can be very confusing, and there are chances to make a mistake at every turn. If you try to handle it on your own, you’ll be going up against an insurance company that won’t have your best interest in mind. Make sure you have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to protect you and your legal rights.

We help you get the workers’ compensation you deserve by:

• Gathering medical evidence and medical records
• Scheduling a physician deposition – where the doctor talks about your injury and treatment
• Contacting medical providers and handling the paperwork
• Keeping track of unpaid bills while the case is pending and sending out a letter of protection, so collection agencies won’t cause you even more problems
• Completing the claim petition and submitting it for you
• Helping you prepare for the hearing with the workers’ compensation judge, telling you what to expect, how to dress, etc.
• Answering your workers’ compensation questions – without the legal jargon
• Paying costs upfront – so you don’t have to
• Handling matters with your employer’s insurance company
• Monitoring your case

No Fee Unless We Get Money for You

We protect the rights of our clients and take care of the workers’ compensation hassles. But, there’s one more thing we do for our clients.

We said we pay the costs upfront – there are many hidden costs that can add up if you try to handle the case on your own. Gathering evidence, scheduling a physician testimony, and arranging for court reporters and narrative reports can cost several thousand dollars alone. If you’re approved, workers’ compensation will pay those costs.

What’s even better is that we work on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t get you workers’ compensation benefits, you won’t owe us anything – no matter how much we spent on your case up to that point. It’s a win-win situation.

Protect Your Rights – Get a Free Legal Evaluation Now

Your employer’s insurance company will protect their rights. Allow Edgar Snyder & Associates to protect your rights. We’ve helped over 7,000 injured workers get the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve.

Call 1-866-9-4EDGAR (1-866-943-3427), or fill out your information with the form at the top right of this webpage for a free legal evaluation. It’s absolutely free of charge, and there’s no obligation to use our services. Our phones answer 24/7, so get started now…before it’s too late.