Workers' Compensation Lawyers in Johnstown, PA
Need Help With Workers' Compensation in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation system was developed to ensure employees who were injured on the job receive replacement wages for time off work and medical coverage. If you've recently suffered a work injury, you must report it to your employer within 120 days. Your employer will forward the report along your claim to the insurance company.
Unfortunately, getting the benefits you need and deserve after a workplace accident isn't always an easy process. Many injured workers have their claims denied by the insurance companies, while others have employers who may threaten to unjustly stop or modify their benefits. Sometimes people hurt on the job have collected workers' comp benefits for months, and want to pursue a lump-sum settlement so they can get on with their lives.
No matter what problem you're having with your claim, you can trust our Johnstown workers' compensation attorneys to help you understand the process and give you a clear plan for how to successfully handle your claim. Helping injury victims get the money and benefits they need is what Edgar Snyder & Associates has done since 1982.
We've been named one of the Best Law Firms in America, and members of or legal staff have regularly been recognized as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. In fact, several of our attorneys have also been honored with inclusion into The Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Contact us today for a free legal evaluation. Your benefits may rely on it.
Workers' Compensation or Personal Injury Claim
Understanding what benefits and legal compensation you're eligible for following a work injury can be complex to sort out. Some people injured on the job may be entitled to more than workers' comp. In some cases, injured workers could also have a personal injury claim.
It's important to understand the differences between workers' compensation and personal injury claims: With only a few exceptions, everyone injured on the job in Pennsylvania is entitled to receive worker's compensation benefits.
Work comp claims are not based on fault, which means you're eligible regardless of whether you or your employer was liable for the accident that caused your injury. Conversely, personal injury claims are fault based. You may have one of these claims if your injury was caused by the negligence of someone other than your employer. These are called third-party claims.
Third-party claims are often filed against manufacturers of faulty equipment, or careless contractors you had to work alongside. When you have a third-party claim, you're entitled to recover all damages related to your injury—money for things like diminished earning capacity and "pain and suffering."
It should be noted that unlike workers' compensation benefits that begin immediately, personal injury claims can take years to resolve.
No matter what your injury is or how it happened, we can help you. Edgar Snyder & Associates' has an entire team of legal professionals dedicated to helping our workers' compensation clients. We also have extensive personal injury resources to ensure that if you have a third-party claim, we can recover all the money you're entitled to under the law.
Our Johnstown workers' comp lawyers can help if you:
- Suffered a workplace injury and need help understanding the claims process
- Were notified that your claim was denied
- Want to negotiate a lump-sum settlement
We've included information below that we hope explains the process, and how our caring law firm can get you all the benefits you deserve.
Denied Workers' Compensation?
If you've been notified that your workers' compensation claim has been denied, don't go it alone. Let our skilled comp attorneys handle your appeal and recover the lost benefits you need and deserve.
My Workers' Compensation Was Denied. Now What?
Our Johnstown workers' compensation understand that when you get a notice that your claim was denied, it can cause fear and anxiety. What if they force you to return to work when you're still too injured to work? What if you can't pay for your doctor bills? What if I ultimately lose my job?
At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we know you already have so much going on, and we don't think you should have to deal with the added stress of fighting the insurance companies for the benefits you're owed. Call us today so we can help.
Helping injured people like you is what we've built our reputation on since 1982. Edgar Snyder & Associates has been named one of the Best Law Firms in America, and our Johnstown work comp attorneys know what needs to be done after a claim denial to get you the benefits you deserve.
Please, if you've received a notice of denial, don't try to navigate the workers' compensation appeals process on your own. One of the most important things you can do after being made aware that your claim was denied is to educate yourself about the process and then contact Edgar Snyder & Associates.
Time is not on your side. Call us today at 412-394-1000, start a live chat, or fill out the free case evaluation form on this page to get started.
Losing Workers' Comp Benefits?
If you've received a notification that your workers' compensation benefits are being modified, suspended, or terminated, it's important to understand that while you have options, you must act quickly.
One of the most important steps you can take after being made aware of a change to your work comp benefits is to call a skilled attorney right away to handle your appeal. The "employee challenge" portion of your notice might look like a simple form, but when you complete and return it, you've actually initiated the formal appeals process.
That process will involve several court dates, and will require depositions from your doctors and copies of your medical records. All of this is best accomplished when you have a Johnstown workers' compensation attorney on your side.
Don't be a victim twice, enlist our top-tier legal professions to fight for your right to benefits. Our Johnstown workers' compensation attorneys not only understand how the process works, they also know the tactics insurance companies use to destroy your case—as well as how to counter them.
It's likely we've successfully handled a case similar to yours, so don't wait. Contact us today. We'll do all the heavy lifting with your appeal so you can concentrate on what we think is most important: Your recovery.
How Long Does Workers' Compensation Last?
If you were injured on the job, the amount of time you can expect to receive workers' compensation benefits is dependent primarily on the severity of your injury and your rate of recovery. In some cases, people who've suffered serious injuries can stay on comp for the rest of their lives as long as their doctor certifies that they are disabled and unable return to work.
While indefinite workers' compensation benefits are a possibility, the system is designed to make that an exception and not the rule. That's because after just two months of collecting Pennsylvania workers' compensation benefits, your employer could require you to undergo an Independent Medical Exam (IME).
These exams are administered by company doctors who will determine if you have recovered enough to return to your job full-time or at a reduced work capacity. If this is the case, your employer could file a petition to stop your benefits, or modify your benefits and offer you a light-duty position.
If you've been asked to undergo an IME, it's in your best interest to call one of our Johnstown workers' compensation attorneys to protect your rights and prevent you from being stripped of your benefits.
We know there's a tremendous amount of pressure on injured workers to return to their jobs, sometimes before they feel they're well. If you feel you've are being forced back to work too soon, or you've been offered a light-duty job, please don't panic. Just call us. We can help you whether you just received a notice to undergo an IME, your benefits have been suspended or unjustly terminated. We're available 24/7 at 412-394-1000 for a free legal evaluation. You can also fill out the case review form, or start a live chat now.
Interested in a Lump Sum Settlement?
If you're interested in receiving a lump-sum payment for your workers' compensation injury, then you need an experienced attorney. That's because when you accept a settlement, you're accepting the final payment you'll ever receive for your injury. It's important to carefully plan for future medical expenses so you're not held responsible for those costly bills down the line.
Will I Get a Settlement from Workers' Comp?
People who've been injured at work and have been on comp for four months or more may be eligible for a lump-sum settlement under state law. Settlements are one-time payments that can replace your weekly workers' comp check, medical benefits, or even both.
When it comes to settlements, the devil is in the details: The terms of your agreement can help you or hurt you, which is why you should never try to negotiate them on your own.
It should also be noted that while collecting a lump-sum payment is the best move for some, these one-time payments aren't appropriate for everyone injured on the job. In fact, you may want to reconsider a workers' compensation settlement if your injury:
- Is expected to get worse or cause a secondary condition that will require medical attention
- Will prevent you from being able to work your current job, or in your current line of work
- Will necessitate significant medical treatment or surgery in the future
Contact our Johnstown workers' comp lawyers today and let us help you get the money you need and deserve. Our legal team will help you understand lump-sum benefits and whether pursuing a settlement is the right option for you. Call us at 412-394-1000, fill out the case evaluation form, or start a live chat today.
I Got Hurt at Work. Will I Get a Settlement?
Several factors help determine if you will receive a settlement to compensate you for your workplace injury. They include:
- Your Line of Work—Some positions are inherently more dangerous than others, causing significant injuries.
- Details of Your Accident—Was it caused by the carelessness of another contractor working on your job site? Was a defective piece of equipment responsible for your accident? These details will affect the likelihood of you receiving a settlement.
- Your Injuries—How badly you were injured will play a role in whether or not you receive a settlement—so will your current and future medical needs.
Recently Hurt at Work?
Pennsylvania's workers' compensation is complex, and the more you know about the process, the more effectively you'll be able to recognize when your claim is in trouble and you need to call an experienced lawyer.
When you hire one of our Johnstown workers' compensation attorneys, our talented team of legal professionals will handle every detail of your case—from filing paperwork with the state to dealing with the insurance companies. We'll keep you updated along the way, giving you the information you need regarding the status of you workers' compensation claim.
Contacting our Johnstown workers' comp lawyers is simple: Just call 412-394-1000 for a free case review, fill out the free legal evaluation review form on this page, or start a live chat now. You can also visit our College Park Plaza office during regular business hours.