Workers’ Compensation

What happens if you are hurt on the job?

Worker's Compensation

If you are injured on the job, the effects can be severe. You may face lost time at work, missed paychecks, expensive medical bills and an extended recovery process that will impact your life and the lives of those who depend on you. Under Pennsylvania law, if you sustain an injury at work, you have a right to file for workers' compensation benefits. If your employer or their insurance company attempts to deny or terminate a legitimate workers' compensation claim or delay payments, you need an experienced workers' comp lawyer on your side.

Dale E. Anstine, workers’ comp lawyers in York, PA, can help.

If you or a loved one are injured while on the job, reach out immediately for medical help and get an experienced workers’ comp attorney on your side. At Dale E. Anstine, our experienced attorneys have been fighting for the injured across York, Hanover and Gettysburg for over 40 years.

Attorney Tom Lang specializes in workers’ comp and social security disability and was among the first to be certified in Pennsylvania as a specialist in workers’ compensation.* Our attorneys have handled a variety of workers’ comp cases including:

  • Workers’ Compensation
  • Workers’ Comp Appeals
  • Social Security Disability
  • Construction Accidents
  • Bodily Injury Claims
  • Chronic Pain/Stress Injuries
  • Mechanical Errors & Issues
  • Wrongful Death
  • Insurance Bad Faith

Get the #1 Law Firm in York, PA on Your Side**

Pennsylvania workers’ comp law is complex, and it can often be difficult dealing with insurance companies after an accident occurs. If you or someone you love has been injured in a work accident, it is important to act quickly and seek legal advice to protect your rights. Contact Dale E. Anstine today for your free consultation with an workers’ comp attorney in the York, Gettysburg and Hanover areas.

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Workers' Compensation FAQs

What is workers' compensation?

Workers’ comp is a form of insurance that provides replacement wages and medical coverage for employees who are injured at work. Under Pennsylvania law, coverage for workers’ compensation is mandatory for most employers. Any employee who was injured in Pennsylvania is covered by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. The law defines an employee as any person who performs services for another for valuable consideration *(i.e. money). Workers’ comp coverage extends to members of volunteer organizations as well.

The process of applying for workers’ compensation benefits is complex and can feel overwhelming. If you are injured at work, choose an experienced attorney to walk you through the legal process and help you receive the compensation you deserve.

How does workers' comp work?

After sustaining an injury at work, it is important you report your injury to your employer, seek medical attention and begin filing the necessary paperwork to take full advantage of workers’ compensation benefits. A claim must be filed either by the employee or employer. In Pennsylvania, workers’ comp claims can be filed online through the Department of Labor and Industry. Claims must be filed within 120 days of the injury or you risk not receiving full compensation for lost wages and medical expenses.

Applying for workers’ comp can be an overwhelming process, but this is made worse when claims are denied, and individuals now must worry about financial burdens. A claim may be denied for several reasons including exceeding the time limit to file, lack of medical evidence, intentional accidents and intoxication to name a few. Any person denied workers’ compensation has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals can be filed online through the Department of Labor and Industry. Having an experienced PA workers’ comp attorney on your side during the appeals process is critical.

Don’t fight for your rights alone. Get a fighter on your side who understands the complexities of the workers’ compensation application and appeal processes. Connect with our experienced workers’ comp lawyers today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you receive the compensation you deserve. We are available 24/7 and there is not fee unless we win for you.

What do I need to do after an accident to protect my rights?

Immediately report your injury or illness to your employer
Report your injury immediately to start the workers’ comp process. Explain how and when the injury occurred, being thorough about the details to ensure it is clear the injury was work-related. You have 21 days from the date of the accident to report your injury to your employer in order to receive benefits. After day 21, you may still report your injury; however, benefit eligibility begins on the date you report the accident, not the date the accident occurred. Once you make your employer aware of your injury, they are obligated to notify their insurance company of your injury.

You may still report your injury after day 21. Legally, you have 120 days from the date of injury or illness to file a claim injury report with your employer; however, we encourage you to notify your employer as soon as safely possible. If you wait until day 121, you could lose out on your compensation benefits.

Seek medical attention from an approved workers’ compensation physician
If your employer has a list of physicians posted at your worksite or in your office, you must see one of those doctors for the first 90 days of your injury. If you choose to ignore the posted list of doctors, your employer may not pay any medical bills until after the first 90 days. If there is no list posted, you may choose to see any doctor.

Keep detailed notes of the injury and recovery process
Were there witnesses that saw your injury occur? Was there malfunctioning equipment that caused your injury? Keep detailed notes to make sure you have accurate information in case your injury claim is questioned. Keep notes about medical records, appointments and updates as well as billing statements and occurrences that result from the injury.

Get an experienced attorney your side
The workers’ compensation process can seem overwhelming at times. If you are injured on the job, get an experienced York, Gettysburg and Hanover workers’ comp lawyer on your side to handle the details for you. It’s especially important to reach out to an attorney if your employer refuses to submit your injury report, which is against the law, or if your employer denies responsibility for your injury, which may require you to file a claim petition. To ensure your rights are protected, get in touch to speak with an attorney.

Additional Resources

If you are interested in learning more about workers’ compensation and your rights when injured at work, check out the following blogs or reach out to our workers’ comp attorneys today!

** #1 Personal Injury Firm designation according to 2020 Susquehanna Style Who’s Who in York Business Ranking

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