If you’re asking if you need a workers’ comp lawyer, the answer is most likely, “Yes!” If you are injured at work you should contact an attorney that focuses their practice on representing injured workers as soon as possible. You would not call a foot doctor to evaluate your heart condition, so don’t call another attorney to evaluate your workers’ compensation claim. Call a law firm with experienced workers’ comp lawyers that have fought to win millions of dollars for the injured workers of Lancaster County.
Don’t Go At It Alone
You have the right in Pennsylvania to represent yourself. However, workers’ compensation is not like any other area of law. It has its own rules, and, at times, it feels like it has its own language. A good workers’ comp lawyer will take the time to not just evaluate your claim but to get to know you and your needs, explain the process to you and answer all of your questions. There are countless missteps that can occur early on in a claim but can be avoided with the help of a good workers’ comp lawyer.
Reasons To Hire A Workers’ Comp Lawyer
Workers’ compensation claims can be complicated, even in situations where the injuries seem pretty straightforward and the insurance company or Employer appear to be reasonable. A workers’ comp lawyer can help you work through or even help prevent complications that might arise, including:
- Accessing medical treatment – following a work injury you are compelled to treat with “company” or “panel” doctors for the first 90 days. There are exceptions to this that you will need to be aware of to ensure that you are getting the best possible care available.
- Your employer denies the claim – even in clear cases of on-the-job injuries, employers sometimes try to deny the workers’ claims. This can be difficult to fight without an experienced worker’s comp lawyer who knows how to hold employers accountable. A top workers’ comp lawyer can review your claim, provide recommendations for medical providers, strategize the best course of action, and, if necessary, file a claim against the Employer and insurance carrier to force the payment of benefits.
- Your employer refuses to pay wage benefits promptly or in full – If your workers’ comp claim was accepted, your Employer or the insurance carrier has an obligation to pay you on time and in the correct amount. If they fail to do so, your attorney can make sure that any errors are corrected, and, in some cases, file petitions that could result in additional benefits being paid to you.
- Your employer refuses to cover medical expenses – Having an experienced and aggressive attorney involved in your claim can ensure that your appropriate medical expenses are covered. If the Employer or insurance carrier refuses to pay for medical treatment, a knowledgeable and tough workers’ comp lawyer can hold them accountable to ensure that all of your appropriate medical expenses are covered.
- Your injury prevents a return to work – In some cases, a work injury can severely alter a person’s job outlook. The hope is that you’ll be able to return to work with restrictions, and then fully as you heal. But, if you cannot, things can get complicated. You need the best workers’ compensation law firm around to help you maximize your recovery of past, present and future compensation in the event your injury might prevent you from returning to work.
- You have pre-existing conditions prior to being injured – In some cases, if you have a pre-existing condition before you are injured at work, the employer or insurance carrier may try to use that against you as a way to deny your claim. A good attorney will work with you to get a full understanding of your medical history to establish your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Keep in mind that, in Pennsylvania, a material aggravation of a pre-existing condition is a work injury that entitles you to benefits. This includes, but is not limited to, the aggravation of underlying, asymptomatic arthritis. In other words, by way of example, if you have a pre-existing, degenerative condition in your spine–which does not impact your ability to perform your job duties–and a work-related event, whether traumatic or cumulative, results in symptoms and/or treatment that changes this, under Pennsylvania law, you are entitled to wage loss and medical benefits through the workers’ compensation system.
- You receive government benefits – Receiving Social Security Disability, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits does not prevent you from pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. A good workers’ comp lawyer can explain the relationship between workers’ compensation and other government benefits and help figure out what is best for you and your family.
What Will A Workers’ Comp Lawyer Do For Me?
A good workers’ comp lawyer serves as an advocate for his or her clients and will:
- Listen to your concerns
- Answer any questions you may have
- Return your phone calls
- Assist with any paperwork
- Avoid common mistakes when filing a claim
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Negotiate with the insurance company and/or employer
- Review your employer’s policies
- Inform you of your rights and options
- Prepare for/represent you if the case moves into litigation with the filing of a petition
Remember, your employer and its insurance carrier have investigators, nurse or medical case managers, attorneys and countless other representatives and resources on their side. They will use those resources whether you hire a workers’ comp lawyer or not. Having an advocate on your side to navigate the claim process will help level the playing field and make sure that you get the best possible result.
Is a Workers’ Comp Lawyer Worth the Money?
Compared to other types of attorneys, it’s actually not expensive to hire a workers’ comp lawyer in Pennsylvania. At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C., we do not charge our clients a penny unless and until we win their case. We recognize that getting hurt on the job carries financial consequences for our clients and their families, which can make having to pay a lawyer during the course of a claim a tremendous hardship. Therefore, if we do not win your case, we do not take a fee . We advance all of the costs with handling claims and make sure that the insurance carrier reimburses them, not you.
Statistics show that you’re more likely to get a much higher settlement when you hire the right workers’ compensation law firm, but don’t take our word for — check out what our clients are saying in our 125+ 5-star Google reviews. Put Lancaster County’s best worker’s comp lawyers — 7 years running as part of Lancaster County Magazine’s annual “Best of Lancaster” survey — to work for you, and see the difference that top legal representation makes.
Are There Any Cases Where I Don’t Need a Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
There may be some instances where employees do not feel the need to hire a workers’ comp lawyer. In the case of very minor injuries where the employee does not miss any time off from work or have any lasting effects, an attorney may not be necessary. However, getting a free consultation with a workers’ comp lawyer is never a bad idea — especially if down the line your injury gets worse. We have counseled hundreds of Lancaster’s injured workers over the years, for no charge, even when their case did not require our formal involvement. Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C. is here for you and your family, no matter what!
How do I schedule a free consultation with a workers’ comp lawyer?
It’s easy! Call 1-800-HURT-NOW or e-mail us at info@GeorgelisLaw any time for a free consultation with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer.
