Were you injured in an accident at work in Chambersburg, PA? Getting fair workers’ compensation benefits for medical bills and lost wages isn’t always easy. An experienced Chambersburg workers’ compensation lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you fight to make sure you get all the compensation you deserve.
We’ve been helping injured workers get the money they deserve for decades. Our hard work has helped us recover tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients over the years.
We’re ready to help with your claim. Call our law firm in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, at (717) 388-2378 to schedule a free consultation today.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help if I Was Hurt on the Job in Chambersburg, PA
Nearly all Pennsylvania employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Benefits are meant to provide an important safety net for workers.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of red tape to cut through before you get the benefits you deserve. Like other insurance companies, the workers’ comp board might look for ways to deny or reduce the value of your claim. Your employer could also challenge your right to benefits.
Our Chambersburg personal injury lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates have the experience to help. Hiring our team gives you the best chance of recovering your full benefits without delay. Our founding attorney is a former workers’ compensation law judge and former chief counsel for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Moreover, our team includes two Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialists.
Hire us, and you’ll have an advocate by your side to:
- Handle all of the workers’ compensation paperwork
- Find out what really caused your accident
- Fight back if your employer claims your injuries weren’t work-related
- Determine whether you’re entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit for additional benefits
- Negotiate to make sure you’re receiving the maximum benefits possible
Workers’ comp claims are denied all the time–even if they’re legitimate. We know how to help you fight back.
Ready to learn more about how an experienced Chambersburg personal injury attorney can help you? Give us a call for a free consultation today.
How Common Are Workplace Accidents in Chambersburg?
Work accidents are extremely common across the U.S. According to United States Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 5,333 fatal work injuries were reported nationwide in 2019. Approximately 2.8 million nonfatal work injuries were reported.
In Pennsylvania, 147,918 work injury and illness cases were reported to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in 2020. At least 72 Pennsylvania workers lost their lives in fatal work accidents that year.
What is My Chambersburg Workers’ Compensation Case Worth?
The overall value of your workers’ compensation claim will depend on the severity of your injuries. Workers’ compensation covers the full cost of your medical care.
Your disability benefits depend upon a few different factors, including:
- Your average weekly wages prior to the disability
- How much work you miss
- Whether you’re able to work in some limited capacity while you recover
Most injured workers receive weekly cash benefits to cover up to 66 ⅔ of their wages prior to getting hurt. However, these benefits are also subject to a statewide cap. The maximum weekly benefit that injured workers can receive in 2021 is $1,130 per week. The cap applies regardless of your prior earnings history.
What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available to Injured Workers in Chambersburg?
Most employees who suffer a work-related injury or illness are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Depending upon the circumstances, your workers’ compensation benefits may include compensation for:
- Medical care
- Total or partial disability
- Permanent disability
- Specific loss of a bodily function
- Serious physical disfigurement to the head, neck, or face
- Death benefits
Do you have questions about your legal rights after a workplace accident? Our Chambersburg workers’ compensation attorneys can help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Reach out to our lawyers today to learn more.
Medical Benefits
Workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment if you have a work-related injury or illness. The workers’ compensation insurance company pays your medical benefits directly to your doctor or medical provider.
Workers’ comp medical benefits cover things like:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospitalization
- Follow-up treatment and doctor’s visits
- Medications
- Medical devices
These benefits are available regardless of whether you’re unable to work. In other words, your medical care is covered even if you return to work right away after an accident.
You’ll typically be required to visit a doctor who’s been approved by your employer. Your employer should have a list of approved doctors and facilities. However, after 90 days of treatment, you can choose your own doctor and simply notify your employer about your choice of doctor.
Cash Wage Replacement Benefits
If you’re unable to work because of your injury or condition, you can also receive cash benefits.
If you’re completely unable to work for a limited period of time, total temporary disability benefits cover about 66 ⅔ of your average weekly wages for 104 weeks. After 104 weeks, your employer will likely require a medical evaluation. If you remain at least 35% impaired, you can continue receiving benefits.
If your condition has improved, you may then be entitled to partial disability benefits for up to 500 weeks. Partial disability benefits apply if you can work in some limited capacity but earn less than you did before the accident.
Can I Sue My Employer for Additional Damages?
You forfeit your right to sue your employer if you’re eligible for workers’ comp benefits. However, you could be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek additional damages from a negligent third party.
Pennsylvania personal injury laws give accident victims the right to recover non-economic damages in addition to medical expenses and lost wages.
You could be entitled to additional compensation for:
- Your full lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost quality of life
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Loss of consortium
Our lawyers in Chambersburg will explore every option to help you maximize your overall compensation award. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation to get started.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Getting Hurt on the Job in Pennsylvania?
Workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania is a no-fault system. If you’re hurt on the job, you can recover workers’ compensation benefits even if you caused your accident. You won’t have to prove negligence to file a claim.
However, there are a few exceptions to this general rule. You’ll be barred from claiming workers’ comp if:
- Your injuries were intentional or self-inflicted
- You were intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs when you got hurt
- You were participating in illegal activities when you were injured
Shared fault may be an issue if you file a third-party claim for additional damages. In those cases, your compensation can be reduced in proportion to your own share of fault–and you may be barred from seeking damages if you’re at least 51% responsible.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
Any type of work injury or illness can wreak havoc on your life. We represent clients who have sustained:
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue damage
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Hearing loss
- Brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Burns
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Chest injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Lung damage
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
Our wrongful death lawyers can also help you fight for fair death benefits if you lost a loved one in a fatal workplace accident.
We Handle All Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Our injury attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates handle all types of work injury claims, including those involving:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Roof and ladder falls
- Forklift accidents
- Crane accidents
- Accidents involving heavy machinery
- Unsafe work equipment
- Fires and explosions
- Defective products and tools
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances in the workplace
- Occupational illnesses and diseases
- Premises liability or negligent security
- Violence in the workplace
Regardless of how you were hurt, our lawyers can provide sound legal guidance while you recover. We can help you explore all options for recovering the compensation you need and deserve. Call our law offices for a free case review today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Pennsylvania?
You have a limited amount of time to take legal action if you were injured on the job. You have 120 days to notify your employer or supervisor about your injury or illness.
If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, you then have a three-year window to file an appeal with the workers’ compensation insurance board.
Contact Chambersburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Pennsylvania workers have depended on Marzzacco Niven & Associates to protect their rights for decades.
To learn more about how we can help with your claim, call an experienced Chambersburg workers’ compensation lawyer for a free initial consultation today.