Workers' Compensation Lawyers in Erie, PA

Need Help With Workers' Compensation in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania workers' compensation system was created to make sure that people injured on the job receive replacement wages and medical coverage. Did you recently suffer a work injury? Start by reporting the injury to your employer within 120 days. After they receive the notification, your employer will forward the claim to their insurance company for consideration.

Although the process sounds simple enough, getting the benefits you deserve can sometimes feel impossible. Many things can go wrong: Your claim could be denied by the insurance company, or your employer could threaten to modify or stop your benefits altogether. Some people want to forgo weekly compensation checks and opt instead for a lump-sum settlement—something that should never be negotiated on your own.

No matter what the sticking point with your claim, you can count our Erie workers' compensation attorneys to streamline the process and get you the benefits you deserve. When you hire Edgar Snyder & Associates, you're putting our nearly 40 years of legal experience to work for you. You're also choosing an award-winning legal team to fight for your benefits on your behalf: We've been ranked as one of the Best Law Firms in America, and our attorneys regularly are honored through inclusion on the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list.

Workers' Compensation or Personal Injury Claim

Understanding what legal compensation you're entitled to after an on-the-job injury can be tricky. In some cases, you could be eligible for workers' compensation and also entitled to damages through a personal injury claim. That's why understanding the difference between workers' compensation and personal injury claims is so important.

In nearly all cases, employees injured on the job in Pennsylvania are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits. These claims are not based on fault, which means you are eligible for workers' comp benefits regardless of whether you or your employer was at fault for the accident that caused your injury.

That isn't the case with personal injury claims, which are based on fault. If your work injury was caused by the negligence of someone or something other than your employer, you could be eligible for additional legal compensation. These personal injury claims are called third-party claims, and happen in situations where you've been injured by a contractor working on your job site, or by a piece of faulty machinery.

With a third-party claim, you could be entitled to recover all damages—including payments for "pain and suffering" and diminished earning capacity.

Another difference is that workers' comp claims are processed quickly and checks and medical benefits are immediately available. That's not so with personal injury cases. Third-party claims could take years to resolve.

No matter if you have a straight workers' comp case, or your accident has a potential personal injury component, Edgar Snyder & Associates can help. We have a dedicated team of legal professionals who deal exclusively with workers' comp cases. We also have extensive personal injury resources so we can go after all the money you're entitled to under the law.

Call our Erie workers' compensation attorneys today for help if:

Your on-the-job injury just occurred and you need guidance on what steps to take to obtain workers' compensation benefits
Your workers' comp claim was denied
You want to negotiate a lump-sum settlement so you can stop collecting weekly checks and move on with your life

Below you'll find information we hope helps further clarify the workers' compensation system and explain how our Erie injury attorneys can get you the benefits you deserve.

Denied Workers' Compensation?

If the insurance company denied your claim, our Erie workers' comp lawyers will handle the appeal so you can get the money and medical coverage to which you're entitled.

My Workers' Compensation Was Denied. Now What?

If your workers' compensation claim was denied it can feel like the rug was pulled out from under you. Fears like, "What if it's too soon to return to work?" and "How can I afford my medical and other bills without benefits?" can start eating away at you.

Our Erie workers' compensation attorneys understand these emotions all too well: Since 1982, Edgar Snyder & Associates has helped thousands of injured workers get the benefits they deserved after being hurt on the job.

Our top-tier lawyers know what actions need to be taken immediately after a claim is denied, and have the experience and legal know-how to get your benefits reinstated. Don't wait—injured workers have only a limited amount of time to appeal a denial—and please don't try to handle the matter by yourself.

If you've received a notice of denial, the best thing you can do is educate yourself about the process and contact our Erie workers' compensation lawyers. We're available 24/7 at 412-394-1000 to answer your questions. To get started on your free case review, you can also complete the legal evaluation form on this page or start a live chat now.

Losing Workers' Comp Benefits?

If you've received a letter to suspend, modify, or terminate your workers' compensation benefits, it's important to know that while you have options, you must act quickly because of legal deadlines.

The "employee challenge" section of the notice looks like a procedural form, but it's not. That's why you need an experienced Erie workers' compensation attorney on your side: When you fill out and send back the form, you're actually initiating the formal legal appeals process.

That process will include require you to attend several court hearings, schedule and conduct depositions from your doctors, and obtain medical records. Please, don't go it alone. Call us. Our Erie workers' comp lawyers are well versed in the appeals process. In fact, it's likely that we've successfully handled a case that's very similar to yours.

When you hire Edgar Snyder & Associates we'll be more than just your legal counsel. We'll also be your advocates. Our attorneys know the dirty tactics insurance companies employ to take away your workers' comp benefits, and will counter them at every turn. Call us today so we can help ensure you have the money and medical care you're entitled to. When you hire us, we'll handle every aspect of your case and keep you updated every step of the way. You can call us at 412-394-1000, complete the free legal evaluation form on this page, start a live chat, or visit our Peach Street location in Erie to get started.

How Long Does Workers' Compensation Last?

The seriousness of your injury and rate of recovery are two of the factors that determine how long you are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits. It's possible for some people injured on the job to stay on work comp for the rest of their lives as long as their treating physician determines they are disabled and still unable to return to work.

While that is a possibility, it's rarely the reality because after two months of collecting comp, your employer can request you undergo a medical exam with the company doctor. These are known as Independent Medical Exams (IME), which determine if you are recovered enough to return to work. If the doctor clears you to return to work full time, your employer could file a petition to stop your benefits. If you are cleared to work at a reduced capacity, the company you work for could file a petition to modify your benefits and offer you a light-duty position.

If you've received notice you will need to undergo an Independent Medical Exam, it's so important for you to even the legal playing field by enlisting the help of a skilled Erie workers' comp attorney to protect your rights and stop your benefits from being negatively impacted.

If you believe your benefits have been unjustly terminated or if you've been asked to undergo an Independent Medical Exam, call us now at 412-394-1000 for a free case review. You can also start a live chat or complete the legal evaluation form now to get started.

Interested in a Lump Sum Settlement?

If you're interested in lump-sum workers' comp settlement, please don't try to negotiate the terms on your own. Insurance companies may try to take advantage of what you don't know about your injury and future medical needs to pressure you into accepting a low-ball offer.

Don't do it! Call our Erie workers' comp attorneys first. When you accept a settlement, it's the final payment you will ever be entitled to for your injury. You need a skilled lawyer to help you plan for the unexpected so you aren't left holding the bag for thousands of dollars in medical bills down the line.

Will I Get a Settlement From Workers' Comp?

People who've suffered an injury on the job and have collected workers' compensation benefits for four months or longer are eligible for a lump-sum payment under Pennsylvania law.

These settlements are one-time payments that will replace:

Your weekly work comp check,
Your work comp medical benefits,
Or both

If you're seeking a workers' comp settlement, the importance of hiring an experienced attorney cannot be overstated. The details of your settlement can either help you or hurt you, and the insurance company is not on your side. When you hire one of our Erie workers' comp attorneys, we'll ensure your settlement protects you now and into the future.

It's important to note that while a settlement is the best option for some, not all injured workers will benefit from making the move. You may want to rethink a settlement if:

Your injury is expected to worsen or cause a secondary condition
You're expected to need additional medical treatment and/or surgery in the future
Your injury prevents you from being able to work your current job or in your current field

Contact us today so we can help you determine if a lump-sum settlement is right for you. Let our Erie workers' compensation attorneys fight to get settlement you deserve. Call us at 412-394-1000, fill out the free case evaluation form, or start a live chat today to get started.

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

Whether you'll get a workers' compensation settlement is dependent on three major factors:

Your job. Some industries are more dangerous than others, and as a result cause more catastrophic injuries.
The Details of Your Accident. Was your work accident caused by a contractor working on your job site? Was it the result of a defective or poorly maintained piece of machinery?
The Seriousness of Your Injuries. How badly you were injured, and how much medical treatment you'll need will impact your potential settlement.

Recently Hurt at Work?

If you were recently injured at work and are in need of workers' comp benefits, knowledge is power—but an attorney is still your best bet. When you call our Erie work comp attorneys, we'll make sure you get the information you need about the process and the next steps to take for your case.

Contacting Edgar Snyder & Associates is easy: Call 412-394-1000 anytime day or night, or fill out the free case review form to get started. You can also start a live chat now. You have absolutely nothing to lose because you won't be obligated to use our services when you call and there's never a fee—ever—unless we get money for you.