Did you sustain an injury or illness while at work in Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a free consultation at (717) 616-2954. Our award-winning Lancaster workers’ compensation lawyers can help you look into your legal options and work to put as much money into your pocket when all is said and done.
Our attorneys have more than a century of combined experience and have already secured tens of millions of dollars for our deserving clients. We’re just as confident in our ability to help you as well. Get in touch today to learn more. We can advise you on your best course of action when we meet for your free consultation.
Why Hire Marzzacco Niven & Associates for My Workers’ Comp Claim in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
While filing a workers’ compensation claim is almost always an option after a workplace accident, you may also have the opportunity to pursue a lawsuit for additional damages in some cases. Hiring a trusted personal injury law firm like Marzzacco Niven & Associates will set you up for success and make sure that no stone is left unturned.
Here are just a few reasons injured workers in Lancaster, PA, turn to our team:
- We bring more than 120 years of combined legal experience to every case we handle
- Our case results include multiple recoveries in the seven figures
- We’ve won awards from Best Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and other prominent organizations for our legal services
- Our Lancaster personal injury lawyers understand the unique challenges that come with workers’ comp cases, from dealing with insurance carriers to navigating benefit disputes and appeals
Contact our Lancaster personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation. We’re ready to fight for your rights as soon as you are.
Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania
Nearly every employer in Pennsylvania is required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance and participate in the state’s program. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act was first enacted in 1915 and covers employees from their very first day on the job.
You can file a workers’ compensation claim for several categories of benefits:
- Medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary treatment related to your work injury
- Total disability benefits pay approximately two-thirds of your average weekly wage if you are unable to work at all while recovering
- Partial disability benefits apply when you can return to work in some capacity but are earning less than you did before the injury
- Specific loss benefits compensate you for the permanent loss or loss of use of a body part, such as a finger
- Death benefits provide financial support to the dependents of a worker who dies as a result of a job-related injury or illness
We can fill you in on the exact benefits you may be eligible for when we review your case during your free consultation.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
In some situations, workers’ compensation benefits may not fully cover your losses. If a third party’s negligence contributed to your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit for additional compensation. You generally cannot sue your own employer if they carry workers’ comp insurance, but claims against outside parties are fair game.
Some common situations that can give rise to a third-party claim include:
- You are injured in a car accident while performing work duties because of another driver’s carelessness
- You are injured at a construction site due to the carelessness of a general contractor
- You sustain an injury while using a defective product related to your job
- A subcontractor’s unsafe practices contribute to a workplace accident
A third-party lawsuit allows you to pursue damages that workers’ comp does not cover, such as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. This can make a significant difference in the total compensation you ultimately recover.
How Valuable Is My Lancaster Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Many factors can influence what your workers’ comp claim in Lancaster is ultimately worth. No two cases involve the same facts, so each one has a unique value. Some of the things we will look at when evaluating your case include:
- What kinds of injuries have you sustained?
- How severe are those injuries, and are they expected to be permanent?
- Can you file a third-party lawsuit for additional compensation?
- When will you be able to return to work, if at all?
- How compelling is the evidence supporting your claim?
- Has the insurance carrier disputed any aspect of your benefits?
We would be more than happy to provide insight into how much your claim might be worth during your free consultation. Reaching out early also gives us the best opportunity to protect your interests and build a winning case on your behalf.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Workplace Accident in Pennsylvania?
One of the biggest advantages of the workers’ compensation system is that it operates on a no-fault basis. In most cases, you can still receive benefits even if you were partially or entirely responsible for the accident. There are limited exceptions, such as injuries caused by intentional self-harm, but the general rule protects the vast majority of injured workers.
If you also have a third-party personal injury claim, Pennsylvania’s modified comparative fault law may come into play. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation from the at-fault third party as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your damages will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault is assigned to you.
Our workers’ comp attorneys in Lancaster can advocate for you and respond to any allegations of contributory fault appropriately on your behalf.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Workplace Injury in Lancaster, PA?
If you are able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit alongside your workers’ compensation claim, both economic and non-economic damages become available. Together, these are known as “compensatory damages” and are intended to make you as whole as possible after a serious workplace injury.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, including:
- Medical bills and the cost of medical equipment
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
Non-economic damages represent your more subjective losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Mental health conditions like PTSD and anxiety
Punitive damages may also be awarded in rare cases that go to trial. Punitive damages require evidence that the defendant acted in an especially reckless or intentional manner. These are not common, but they can significantly increase the total value of your case when they apply.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Lancaster?
Most workers’ compensation lawyers in Lancaster work on a contingency fee basis. Instead of paying upfront or by the hour, you only pay attorney’s fees if your lawyer wins compensation for you at the conclusion of your case. You will sign a contingency fee agreement at the beginning of your case to go over the details.
This setup benefits both you and your lawyer. You can hire an experienced attorney regardless of your current financial situation, and your lawyer has every incentive to push for the highest possible result because their payment depends on it.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Lancaster?
Pennsylvania has several important deadlines that injured workers need to be aware of; missing any of them could put your benefits at risk. For example:
- You should report your injury to your employer within 21 days if possible. Doing so allows your wage-loss benefits to be paid retroactively from the first day of the injury.
- You must notify your employer within 120 days of the injury at the absolute latest. Missing this deadline could permanently disqualify you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
- If your claim is denied or your employer fails to accept responsibility, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a formal claim petition with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
If you also plan to pursue a third-party personal injury lawsuit, that claim carries its own separate deadline. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is typically two years from the date of the injury.
It’s best to contact our workers’ compensation lawyers as soon as you can so that we can help you take timely legal action.
Contact Our Lancaster Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Were you injured at work in Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Workers’ compensation benefits are likely available to you, and you may also have the option to file a third-party lawsuit for significantly more compensation. Marzzacco Niven & Associates can handle your claim from start to finish while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Our Lancaster workers’ compensation attorneys have won tens of millions for our deserving clients and will treat you like family if you hire us. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Workers’ Comp Blog & Resources
- How Does Workers’ Comp Pay for Lost Wages in PA?
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
- How Much is My Workers’ Comp Case Worth?
- What Does PA Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover?
- Workers’ Compensation FAQ
Our Team Of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers At Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help In Any City In Pennsylvania
If you’ve been injured in Pennsylvania, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:
- Workers’ compensation attorney in Harrisburg
- Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in York, PA
- Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Wyomissing, PA
- Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Chambersburg
- Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Carlisle
- Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Carbondale
- Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Lebanon