Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Hanover, PA
Legal help when you are injured on the job in York County
Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to compensate employees for losses from injuries and conditions suffered as a result of employment. This can be anything from breaking a leg on the factory floor to developing cancer from years of inhaling toxic fumes. While some jobs, like construction or manufacturing, are often associated with a high rate of injury, employees can experience injury anywhere – at the office, on the retail floor, or in a vehicle accident.
If you are injured, become sick, or develop a medical condition on the job, let the Hanover workers’ compensation attorneys at KBG Injury Law help. When your claim is denied, challenged, or unreasonably delayed, our legal team can get involved and work to make things right. We understand how to file appeals, gather the correct evidence and proof, and advocate for you while you heal from your injuries. Talk to us today.
What is workers’ compensation?
No matter why or how you have been injured, if your injury took place during the scope of your job duties, workers’ compensation exists to provide you with a variety of benefits, including:
- Medical coverage
- Replacement of lost wages
- Death benefits
The good news is that virtually every employer in Pennsylvania is legally required to provide workers’ compensation benefits to its employees. The bad news is that employers often go to great lengths to deny the benefits you and your family need to survive until you are able to return to work.
Your employer may accuse you of being able to go back to work even when you are not ready. They may also attempt to state your injury is due to a non-work-related activity, even when there is strong evidence to the contrary. This is when competent workers’ compensation lawyers can step in and come to your rescue.
Often, legitimately injured workers have a difficult time securing their full benefits. In some cases, employers break the law and fail to pay for the insurance coverage they are required to secure on behalf of their workers. In other cases, they misclassify workers and claim an employee is not eligible for workers’ compensation. Still more workers report getting benefit checks late.
No matter what kind of problem you are having with your workers’ compensation claim, contact KBG Injury Law. We can advise you on how to strengthen your case and get the benefits you deserve.
What are common workplace injuries?
Workplace injuries can include a range of incidents and accidents that can impact your ability to do your job. Workers’ compensation claims can arise from:
- Construction site accidents
- Slip and falls
- Falls from heights
- Warehouse accidents
- Machinery crushing accidents
- Car accidents with company vehicles
- Workplace violence
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Back injuries
- Head and brain injuries
Just about any time you are injured at work you are covered by workers’ compensation. You do not need to prove your employer was negligent or prove anyone was liable in order to secure benefits. One exception to this is if you are doing something illegal or are intoxicated at the time of the injury. Our Hanover attorneys can explain more if you have any questions about your eligibility for compensation.
What is covered under workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation cover a wide variety of benefits. These include:
- Lost wages. When you are injured and unable to work, workers’ compensation provides wage loss benefits. These benefits are typically two-thirds of your weekly wages, and allow you to continue paying your bills while you take the time you need to heal from your injuries. You may also receive a partial wage loss benefit when return to work with restrictions cause you to earn less than you were making before you got hurt.
- Medical care. Whether or not your injury required you to take time off work, workers’ compensation should also cover any medical expenses related to your injury. This includes your initial doctor visit as well as any follow-up exams, medical procedures, prescriptions, and other costs not covered by employer insurance.
- Death benefits. In the most tragic event a loved one loses their life on the job. Workers’ compensation includes death and funeral benefits for the surviving spouse. Dependents of the employee may also be entitled to benefits.
In cases of catastrophic permanent injuries, like losing a limb or losing hearing and vision, we understand that these are injuries from which you will never recover. Workers’ compensation offers what are called specific loss benefits to make up for this permanent disability. The Hanover attorneys at KBG Injury Law can work with you to get a full understanding of these benefits, and advocate for you during the claims process.
Why did my workers’ compensation benefits end?
If your workers’ compensation benefits suddenly stopped, you may be wondering why. Legally your benefits may only be stopped if you return to work, you sign something allowing them to do so, you are incarcerated after a conviction, they get an order from a Workers’ Compensation Judge allowing them to do so, or you die due to reasons unrelated to your work injury. Following are a few common reasons why workers’ compensation benefits are stopped, often times illegally. Your employer or their insurance company may claim that you:
- Did not comply with your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan.
- Refused to take a required independent medical exam (IME).
- Failed to complete the required forms properly and on time.
- Were not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in the first place.
- Accepted a lump-sum settlement for your case and are no longer eligible.
- Signed a final receipt agreeing to end your benefits.
- Have recovered from your injury and are ready to return to work.
It is crucial never to sign anything regarding your workers’ compensation, especially in the case of lump-sum benefits, without having an attorney review it first. At KBG Injury Law, we can review any settlement offer or denial of benefits to ensure you secure the compensation to which you are entitled as an employee.
How can a Hanover, PA workers’ compensation attorney help?
Here in Hanover, you have easy access to workers’ comp lawyers you can trust. KBG Injury Law has helped numerous South Central Pennsylvanians receive the workers’ compensation benefits to which they are entitled. We are proud to represent hard-working people like you who simply want to be treated with dignity and respect by their employers.
In many cases, it is not necessarily the employer who is making the determination as to whether you receive benefits; it their insurance company making the call. We tap into our years of experience in successfully dealing with insurance companies to thwart their tactics and get the results you deserve.
Technically, it is true you do not need an attorney to file for workers’ compensation benefits. In theory, the process is intended to be simple and streamlined. However, it seldom is. The assistance of a skilled lawyer can be invaluable.
For example, an attorney can help explain which doctors you need to see and what steps you should take to maximize your benefits. If your employer is trying to deny your claims or is delaying your benefits, an attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure your medical costs are covered, your wages are replaced, and you secure any other benefits you may be entitled to. If your employer or the insurance company is acting in bad faith, an attorney can ensure they are required to obey Pennsylvania law.
Is there a workers’ compensation attorney near me?
KBG Injury Law is located at 250 York Street in Hanover, PA, just a couple of blocks east of the Square. We also maintain four locations throughout South Central PA.
Talk to experienced Hanover workers’ compensation attorneys today
At KBG Injury Law, our team has extensive expense with workers’ compensation cases and have represented many injured workers throughout Pennsylvania. Whether you are dealing with a denied or delayed claim, we are happy to meet with you and go over your options. To schedule a free initial consultation, call 717-848-3838 or toll free at 800.509.1011, or fill out our contact form. KBG Injury Law maintains offices in Hanover, York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Gettysburg, and proudly serves workers throughout South Central Pennsylvania.