Sustaining an injury on the job can lead to lasting, financially-devastating consequences for you and your loved ones. In addition to being unable to work, you might also be saddled with ongoing medical bills far exceeding your budget.
If you are a worker in South Philadelphia or Bustleton and have been injured while performing your job, it is vital that you understand the details of workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Philadelphia. Speaking with an attorney could provide clarity and allow you to plan your next steps appropriately. You do not have to pursue your claim alone. Contact our firm today to discuss your circumstances with a seasoned legal professional.
Employers in Bustleton, South Philly, and across this state generally have an obligation to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. This is a broad responsibility that applies to the substantial majority of employers and employees.
For example, an employer is generally obligated to carry workers’ compensation insurance when they have at least one employee. These insurance obligations also apply when the employee is a seasonal or part-time worker.
If an employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, they might be in violation of state and federal law. Fortunately, Pennsylvania also has an Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund aimed at helping employees who have been injured at a workplace that does not carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Despite the scope of the insurance requirement, there are several exceptions to the rule. Some of these exceptions are due to the existence of alternative outlets for workers’ compensation, such as when an employer exclusively employs federal workers. Additional exceptions can apply to certain categories of workers, such as agricultural workers.
If an employee becomes injured or sick from their job and does not work with an employer who is otherwise exempt from these obligations, that employee should contact a Philadelphia attorney to discuss their eligibility for a workers’ compensation claim.
Various benefits are available for workers’ compensation claims, with the amount of compensation and time the benefits are awarded depending on the type of injury sustained. In Philadelphia, once an injured individual has established workers’ compensation claim eligibility, the determination of their specific benefits will follow.
The benefits available to a victim of an on-the-job injury or disease can vary due to the extent of the injury and their ability to return to work in the future. For instance, differing benefits are available for partial versus total disability due to the injury. Additionally, employees may be eligible for specific loss benefits, which might apply when the employee has permanently lost the use of an appendage or gravely disfigured their face.
Employees filing workers’ compensation claims might also be entitled to the lost wages resulting from their injuries. These benefits might be available if the employee is totally disabled and has completely lost the ability to work, or if the employee is only partially disabled but can no longer maintain the wages they received prior to their injuries.
Determining whether you are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim can involve complex legal issues regarding insurance obligations and exceptions. If eligible, it is also important to understand the differences between the types of benefits that could be requested.
If you are an injured worker in Bustleton or South Philly, a knowledgeable lawyer could provide you with more information about your workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Philadelphia. Take your first steps toward compensation by scheduling a consultation with a seasoned attorney from Gross & Kenny, LLP.
267-589-0091 
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Personal Injury Attorney Philadelphia | Gross & Kenny, LLP
