Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

You have the right to request financial support after an accident at work. Philadelphia employers have an obligation to secure workers’ compensation insurance through the state or a private institution. Unfortunately, your employer may be slow to recognize your losses or may attempt to wriggle out of their responsibility to your recovery.

You can work with our workers’ compensation attorneys in Philadelphia to file a workers’ comp claim and challenge unreasonable denials. Philadelphia personal injury lawyers with Morelli Law Firm can even help you file a personal injury lawsuit against an unresponsive employer or, in some cases, a third party liable for your losses. You can contact us today to learn more.

What Is a Work Injury?

Pennsylvania outlines the definition of a “work injury” in Section 301(c)(1) of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, 77 P.S. §411(1). While the Act doesn’t go into detail about the specific injuries that constitute “work injuries,” it does state that injuries that entitle a person to workers’ compensation must:

• Identify an injury related to their employment
• Detail injuries or pre-existing conditions exacerbated by the person’s position

What does this mean for you? Loosely, the Act allows anyone who’s endured a work-related injury on employer property to file for workers’ compensation. That injury may stem from a freak accident or the worsening of an employee’s pre-existing condition. Occupational diseases also entitle employees to workers’ compensation claims.

If you want help determining whether or not you qualify for workers’ compensation, consider getting in touch with our Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers. We can investigate your recent accident and offer you legal advice accordingly.

How Can You Recover From a Work Injury?

If you get into an accident at work, it’s in your best interest to seek immediate medical attention. It does not matter whether or not your injury is substantial or minor. The sooner you can connect with a medical professional, the sooner you can assess the impact an injury may have on your ability to work.

Medical professionals can also outline your plan for recovery, including what therapies you should pursue and how much time you should take away from work. You can bring a medical professional’s assessment of your health when you decide to file for workers’ compensation, as that record can go into detail about your right to support.

You can apply for workers’ compensation through Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act only after you’ve gotten the medical care you need.

How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Philadelphia

All businesses operating in Philadelphia must obtain a LIBC-500 form going into detail about their partnered workers’ compensation insurance company. You should have the opportunity to connect with a workers’ compensation claim representative shortly after your accident.

While all businesses must obtain some form of workers’ compensation insurance, you have obligations to meet if you want to benefit from this support. You have an obligation to bring a workers’ compensation claim forward within 21 days of your accident if you want to receive retroactive benefits. You should inform your boss of your intent to file before this point.

That said, you have a full 120 days to report your incident if you want to receive supplementary income. Wait any longer, though, and your employer’s insurance provider may deny your right to support. You can delegate some of the responsibility for your claim onto a workers’ compensation attorney in Philadelphia if you need help filing.

What Expenses Does Workers’ Comp Cover?

You have the right to pursue medical attention and therapy after a workplace accident. Who pays those bills, though? If you file for workers’ compensation within 21 days of your initial accident, that compensation may retroactively cover your copays and other expenses.

You may also go on to receive two-thirds of the pay you’d receive in your weekly wage, even as you take time away from work to heal. You can continue to receive these benefits until you go back to work or until you hit the maximum benefit rate. 

Note that if you have your own business in addition to a full-time, benefits-generating job, you have an obligation to report income from that side business while receiving workers’ compensation. Your supplementary income may impact the payments you receive while benefiting from workers’ comp insurance.

Can Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Challenge a Denied Workers’ Comp Claim?

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to sue your employer while also benefiting from workers’ compensation. That said, there are ways to take legal action against a negligent employer, particularly if that employer makes a bad faith attempt to deny you the workers’ comp you deserve.

If you do not receive workers’ comp from a liable employer, you can work with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, to go to civil court for damages. You may also take civil action against any other parties identified as liable for your losses, including third-party contractors or private citizens.

Morelli Law Firm can break down your right to civil action based on the specific circumstances that led to your accident. Your first consultation with our team comes free of charge and does not obligate you to take legal action against an offending party. Instead, we offer our perspective on your case before letting you decide how to progress.

When Do You Need to Take Civil Action Against a Liable Party?

If you want to take civil action against a negligent employer or third party, you need to do so within the deadline established by Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 42 section 5524. Pennsylvania’s personal injury statute of limitations gives you three years and no longer to file a claim with a civil judge.

Contact Morelli Law Firm for Workers’ Comp Support Today

Philadelphia employers invest in workers’ compensation insurance to protect themselves and employees like you from the financial fallout of a workplace accident. That doesn’t mean that employers like to make applying for support easy, though, or that they’ll always accept your request for benefits.

If you need help applying for workers’ compensation in Philadelphia, or if you want to hold an employer accountable for your denied claim, let Morelli Law Firm know. We can connect you with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Philadelphia who can champion your recovery. You can contact us today to book a FREE workers’ comp case assessment.