Workers’ Compensation

In Pennsylvania, workers’ compensation provides a range of benefits designed to support injured workers. These include payment of medical expenses related to your injury, wage-loss benefits if you’re unable to work or are working at reduced capacity, specific loss benefits (for loss of limbs, hearing, vision, etc.), and death benefits for dependents if a worker dies from a job-related injury.

However, accessing these benefits isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies frequently challenge the extent of injuries or try to terminate benefits prematurely. At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we’ve spent years pushing back against these tactics. We know how to calculate what your case is truly worth and fight to ensure every benefit is pursued to the fullest. Remember, the right attorney can be the difference between a minimal payout and true justice.

It is illegal for an employer in Pennsylvania to retaliate against an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you are terminated solely because you exercised your legal right to compensation, you may have grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit in addition to your workers’ comp claim.

However, employers may try to mask retaliation as a “layoff” or “performance-related” issue. At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we’re seasoned in identifying when retaliation occurs and taking swift action. We work closely with clients to document events, preserve communications, and build a case if we believe you’ve been wrongfully let go.

Filing a claim should never jeopardize your livelihood- it’s your right, and we’ll make sure your voice is heard and your job is protected. If you suspect you’re being targeted after filing a claim, contact us immediately for a free consultation.

In Pennsylvania, how long you receive benefits depends on the severity of your injury and whether you’re classified as totally or partially disabled.

Total disability benefits can continue indefinitely, though after 104 weeks, your employer can request an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE) to determine if your disability is less than 35%. If so, your status may change to partial disability, and benefits may be capped at 500 weeks. This can be a critical turning point in your case.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we closely monitor the timeline of your claim and ensure that any attempt to reduce or terminate your benefits is met with strong legal resistance. We often challenge unfair IRE results and push back against insurance companies trying to rush you off benefits. With our firm by your side, you’ll have a team that understands every nuance of Pennsylvania’s complex system- and uses it to your advantage.

During the first 90 days following a work injury, your employer can require you to treat with a provider from their list of designated physicians- but only if they have followed the proper procedures under the law. If they haven’t, you may be free to select your own provider from day one. After the initial 90-day period, you can absolutely see your own doctor, and the insurance company must still pay for reasonable and necessary treatment.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we evaluate whether your employer has complied with all legal requirements and guide you through every step of your medical treatment rights. We’ve seen employers and insurers use medical control as a way to downplay injuries or rush someone back to work. You have the right to quality, unbiased care- and we’ll make sure you get it. Your health should never be compromised to save the insurance company money.

If your workers’ compensation claim was denied, don’t give up- many valid claims are denied at first. Denials often occur due to paperwork errors, missed deadlines, or disputes about whether the injury is work-related.

In Pennsylvania, you have the right to file a claim petition with the Workers’ Compensation Bureau to have your case heard by a judge. But time is of the essence- you have only three years from the date of injury to file.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we’ve successfully appealed hundreds of denied claims, presenting strong evidence, expert testimony, and persuasive arguments to win cases at hearings. We know how insurance companies operate and what it takes to overturn a denial. If your claim has been rejected, let us take over the legal battle while you focus on recovery. We won’t stop until every avenue has been explored and every benefit you’re entitled to is pursued.

You can still receive workers’ compensation benefits if a work-related incident aggravated a pre-existing condition. Pennsylvania law recognizes that even if an injury wasn’t caused entirely by your job, a significant worsening of a prior condition due to work duties is compensable.
Insurance companies, however, often use pre-existing conditions as an excuse to deny benefits, arguing that your problems existed before the incident. At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we’ve encountered this tactic countless times. We work with medical experts to prove the connection between your current condition and your job, showing exactly how your work duties exacerbated your health.

With years of experience handling complex injury cases, we’re skilled at proving that an old injury, when made worse by job duties, deserves full coverage. Don’t let a pre-existing condition stand in your way- your right to compensation doesn’t disappear because of a past issue.

Yes, in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for a lump sum settlement through a process called “compromise and release.” This means accepting a one-time payment in exchange for closing out part or all of your claim. Settlements can offer peace of mind and financial freedom, but they must be handled carefully- once settled, your rights to future benefits may be waived.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we help clients determine whether a lump sum is in their best interest, negotiate maximum settlement amounts, and make sure no detail is overlooked. We also ensure your medical needs and long-term outlook are factored into the negotiation.

If a lump sum makes sense for your situation, we’ll guide you every step of the way, from valuation to final approval. Our decades of experience mean we know how to protect your future and make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.

While you’re not legally required to have an attorney, having experienced legal counsel on your side significantly increases your chances of a favorable outcome. Workers’ compensation law is complicated, and employers and insurance companies often have their legal teams looking out for their interests- you should too.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we level the playing field and fight to ensure your rights are fully protected. We handle everything- from gathering medical evidence and filing paperwork to representing you in hearings and negotiating settlements. Without an attorney, you risk leaving money on the table or falling into traps set by insurers.

Our legal team has recovered over $112 million for our clients, and we offer free consultations with no obligation. Plus, you don’t pay a fee unless we win money for you. When your health, job, and financial future are on the line, don’t take chances- call us first.

If you were injured off-site or while traveling for your job, you may still be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Pennsylvania law covers injuries that occur while performing work duties, even if they happen away from your primary workplace. This includes job-related travel, deliveries, meetings, or tasks performed at client locations.

However, insurance companies often try to deny these claims by arguing you were “off the clock” or engaged in a personal activity. At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we have extensive experience proving that off-site injuries are work-related. We gather detailed evidence, interview witnesses, and present compelling arguments to link your injury to your employment duties.

Don’t assume your injury isn’t covered just because it didn’t happen in the office or on-site. If you were working when you got hurt- regardless of the location- we’re ready to stand up for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.