Workers' Compensation Lawyers in Altoona, PA

Need Help With Workers' Compensation in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's workers' compensation system was created to ensure people injured on the job receive both medical coverage and lost wages. If you've been injured at work, it's important to report your injury to your employer—you have 120 days to take that first step in the process. When you do, your employer will then send your claim along to their insurance company.

While it seems simple in theory, that isn't always the case in real life. The insurance company can flat-out deny your claim. If you're already receiving workers' comp, your employer could threaten your benefits, sending you notices to stop or modify benefits. In some cases, injured workers may be interested in pursuing a lump-sum settlement instead of collecting weekly checks through comp.

If you're having issues with your workers' compensation benefits, please don't take on the system on your own. Call our Altoona workers' compensation attorneys today for a free case review. Our law firm has the experience it takes to fight for the rights of injured workers. When you hire Edgar Snyder & Associates to help with your Altoona workers' compensation case, you'll have one of the Best Law Firms in America on your side.

Workers' Compensation or Personal Injury Claim

Understanding the Pennsylvania workers' compensation system can be tricky because in some situations, you may be entitled to more than just comp payments. There is a fine line between workers' compensation and personal injury. Here's what you need to know:

In nearly all instances, employees injured on the job are eligible for Pennsylvania workers' comp benefits.
Pennsylvania workers' compensation claims are NOT fault based, which means you are eligible to receive benefits whether you or your employer were at fault for the accident that caused your injury.
By contrast, personal injury claims ARE fault based. This means that if you were injured because of the negligence of someone other than your employer, then you could potentially have a personal injury claim in addition to a workers' comp claim. You could also have a personal injury case if you were injured because of a careless contractor or faulty equipment. These types of cases are third-party claims. If you have a third-party claim, you could be entitled to even more legal compensation—money for "pain and suffering," diminished earning capacity, and other damages.

But those aren't the only differences. While work-related personal injury and third-party claims can take years to resolve, workers' compensation claims are quickly processed. You begin receiving medical coverage and replacement wages immediately.

At our law firm, we not only have a legal team dedicated to workers' compensation clients, we also have the personal injury resources to ensure you get the maximum amount of money you're entitled to for your case.

No matter what work comp issue you're dealing with, it's likely our attorneys have handled a case very much like yours. Our Altoona workers' compensation lawyers can help if:

you just suffered a work injury and need help understanding and navigating the workers' comp system
your workers' compensation claim was denied
you're seeking a lump-sum settlement so you can get off comp and get on with your life

Members of our legal team have regularly been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list and have been honored with inclusion to The Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates forums. That means you can trust our Altoona workers' compensation attorneys to get the best possible outcome in your case. Below, you'll find information we hope helps further clarify both the workers' comp process and how we can best help you through it.

Denied Workers' Compensation?

Did the insurance company deny your Pennsylvania workers' comp claim? Our Altoona workers' comp lawyers will appeal the denial so you can recover your medical expenses and lost wages.

My Workers' Compensation Was Denied. Now What?

Our Altoona workers' compensation attorneys understand the anxiety and fear that sets in when you receive notice that your claim has been denied. You're probably worried you aren't well enough to return to work this soon, or that you could reinjure yourself when you get back on the job. You probably also have many pressing questions like: "How will I support my family if I can't work?" and "How will I pay for my medical bills without benefits?"

Please, if you received a notification that you workers' compensation benefits have been denied, don't panic and don't attempt to handle an appeal on your own. Contact our Altoona workers' comp attorneys today. We've been named one of the Best Law Firms in America for a reason. We've successfully handled thousands of work comp cases and we can help you, too. We know what steps need to be taken immediately after your claim is denied so we can get you the benefits you deserve.

While it's important to educate yourself about the process, the best thing to do to ensure the best possible outcome of your claim is to call us now at 412-394-1000, complete the free case review form on this page, or begin a live chat for a free legal evaluation.

Losing Workers' Comp Benefits?

If you were hurt on the job and have received a letter to terminate, suspend, or modify your workers' comp benefits, it's important to understand that while you have options, time is NOT on your side. Injured workers must meet strict deadlines to appeal a notice to terminate, suspend or modify your benefits. Don't try to handle it all on your own. Protect your rights by calling our Altoona workers' compensation attorneys today.

While the "employee challenge" part of these notices looks like a routine administrative form, it's not. By filling out and sending in the form, you're essentially filing a lawsuit without the advice and help of an attorney. And don't be fooled—you will need a lawyer. The appeals process includes several court hearings, and requires depositions from your doctors, as well as copies of your medical records.

Don't go it alone. The appeals process may take more than a year, could cost you thousands of dollars at a time in your life when you're unable to work. You'd also be going up against insurance company lawyers and their tricky tactics designed to sink your claim.

Let our Altoona workers' compensation attorneys even the legal playing field. When you hire our law firm, you'll have some of the most highly-respected legal professionals in the state working on your case. Our top-tier lawyers know what it takes to counter the insurance company's dirty tricks meant to sabotage your appeal.

At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we want you to be able to concentrate on getting better. That's why we handle every aspect of your appeal, pay all upfront costs associates with your case, and keep you updated throughout the process.

How Long Does Workers' Compensation Last?

Many factors—including the severity of the on-the-job injury and the recovery rate—affect the amount of time an injured employee can expect to collect workers' compensation benefits. It's possible you could receive workers' compensation for the rest of your life if your treating physician determines you remain too disabled to return to your job.

However, remaining on workers' compensation indefinitely is the exception and not the rule. Why? After two months on comp, your employer can legally request that you undergo an Independent Medical Exam (IME). During the IME, you'll be examined by your company's doctor, who will make a determination about your ability to return to work either full-time or in a light-duty capacity. When that happens, your employer could then file a petition to modify or stop your workers' compensation benefits.

The best thing to do to prevent your employer from taking away your benefits is to contact one of our experienced Altoona workers' compensation attorneys as soon as you receive notification that you will need to undergo an IME.

We understand how stressful this can be, but please don't panic. If you believe your benefits have been wrongly terminated, suspended, or modified—or if you've been asked to undergo an IME—protect your rights by contacting us today. Complete the free case evaluation form on this page, call us today at 412-394-1000 for a free legal review, or start a live chat now.

Interested in a Lump Sum Settlement?

Are you interested in a lump-sum workers' compensation settlement? If so, don't attempt to negotiate one on your own. Once you accept a settlement, that's it; the amount you receive will be the final payment you will ever receive for your work injury. Enlist the help of a skilled Altoona workers' compensation attorney to ensure you get the best possible settlement—one that accounts for future and unexpected expenses.

Will I Get a Settlement From Workers' Comp?

Have you collected workers' comp benefits for more than four months after being injured on the job? Under Pennsylvania, law, you could be entitled to receive a lump-sum settlement. These settlements are one-time payments that could replace:

your weekly workers' compensation checks
medical benefits through workers' comp
both

However, negotiating a settlement isn't simple. The insurance companies will use what you don't understand about your injury and associated future medical needs and pressure you to accept a low-ball settlement. Don't do it!

While lump-sum settlements are the best option for many injured workers, it's not the best plan for others. You may want to reconsider pursuing a settlement if:

major surgeries and/or serious medical treatments are expected in the future
your injury is anticipated to worsen or cause a secondary condition (i.e.: arthritis)
you will be unable to work in your current job or field for years to come because of your injury

To best understand the advantages and disadvantages of lump-sum benefits and whether a settlement is right for you, it's important to enlist the help of an experienced attorney. Let our Altoona workers' comp lawyers handle the details and get you the money and medical benefits you'll need now and into the future. Contact us today by calling 412-394-1000 for a free case review. You can also fill out the case evaluation form on this page, or start a live chat now.

I Got Hurt at Work. Will I Get a Settlement?

Many factors effect whether or not you will receive a settlement for your workplace injury. They include:

Your occupation. Some positions are more dangerous than others and cause more catastrophic injuries.
The details of your accident. The facts surrounding the accident that caused your injury will play a role in your eligibility for a settlement. Was your accident caused by a negligent contractor on your job site? A piece of defective machinery?
How badly you were injured. Not only does the seriousness of your injury impact a potential settlement, your current and future medical needs will, too.

Recently Hurt at Work?

If you or someone you care about was recently injured on the job, call our Altoona workers' compensation attorneys today. Not only will we get you the information you need to better understand your claim, we'll also help you understand the process and what our top-tier legal team will do to fight the insurance companies when they don't cooperate.

Contacting our Altoona workers' compensation lawyers is easy—we're available 24/7. Call 412-394-1000 today, complete the free case review form on this page, or start a live chat. You have nothing to lose because the call is free, there's never an obligation to use our services, and you won't ever owe us anything unless we successfully resolve your case.