No one wants to be injured on the job, but accidents happen. A work-related injury can leave you dealing with pain, missed paychecks, and questions about what happens next.
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits may help cover medical treatment and lost wages, but the steps you take after an injury can affect your claim. If you’ve been hurt at work, watch out for these three common mistakes.
Mistake #1: Waiting to Report Your Injury
Tell your employer or supervisor about a work injury as soon as you can. Be clear about when and where it happened and that it occurred in the course of your work. Keep a copy of any written report you submit and make a note of whom you told and when.
Pennsylvania has deadlines for notifying your employer. If your employer does not already know about the injury and you wait more than 21 days to give notice, benefits generally will not be payable for the period before you report it. Notice generally must be given within 120 days for compensation to be allowed.
Reporting an injury and filing a claim petition are different steps. If you miss a day or shift of work because of the injury, your employer is required to report it to Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The employer or its workers’ compensation insurance carrier may then accept or deny your claim. If the claim is denied, you have the right to file a claim petition and have the dispute heard by a workers’ compensation judge. A separate filing deadline applies, so seek advice promptly rather than assuming that reporting the injury has taken care of every step. As you can see, things can become complicated quickly, which is why having a trusted local workers’ compensation attorney on your side is critical.
Mistake #2: Putting Off Medical Care or Losing Track of Treatment
Get medical attention after a work-related injury, and tell the healthcare provider how it happened. Follow your treatment plan and attend follow-up visits. If your symptoms change or you have trouble following a recommendation, let your provider know. Medical records can help document your injury, treatment, and ability to work.
If your provider gives you work restrictions, keep a copy and share them with your employer. Save any updates as your recovery progresses. These records can help clarify what work you can safely do and when those restrictions changed.
Ask your employer whether it has a posted list of healthcare providers for work injuries. Depending on whether the list meets Pennsylvania’s requirements and you received the required notice, you may need to choose a provider from that list for treatment during the first 90 days. If you’re unsure how the provider rules apply to you, ask your employer or a workers’ comp attorney for clarification while getting the care you need.
Mistake #3: Failing to Keep Records
After a workplace injury, documentation can pile up quickly. Save copies of your injury report, medical records, work restrictions, bills, and letters or forms from your employer or its insurer. Keep track of the days or shifts you miss and any changes to your duties or pay.
It also helps to write down what happened while the details are fresh, including the date, location, and names of anyone who witnessed the incident. You don’t need a perfect filing system. Keeping these materials together gives you and your attorney a clearer timeline if questions arise about the injury or your benefits.
What If Your Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied?
A denial does not necessarily mean you have no options. Keep the notice you receive and take note of the reason given. You may be able to challenge the decision by filing a claim petition, but deadlines apply. In Pennsylvania, an injured worker whose request for benefits has been denied generally has three years from the date of injury to file a claim petition.
A PA workers’ comp lawyer can review the notice, your medical records, and the steps you’ve already taken to help you understand what comes next. The sooner you ask, the more time you have to address missing information or a dispute about how the injury happened.
Hurt at Work? Talk to a York Workers’ Comp Attorney.
You don’t have to sort through a work injury—with or without a disputed claim—alone. If your employer has not reported your injury, your benefits have been delayed or denied, or you’re simply unsure what to do next, talk to a workers’ comp attorney in York, PA.
At Dale E. Anstine, clients work directly with experienced personal injury attorneys who will listen to what happened and help you understand your options. Whether you’ve been injured on the job in York, Hanover, Gettysburg, or elsewhere in Central Pennsylvania, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation with clear guidance and personal attention. Contact us for your free consultation today.