Nearly every employee, no matter what their vocation, has the potential to become injured on the job. When those injuries are severe enough to make continued work impossible, an employee can file a Workers’ Compensation claim. In 2014, over $105 million was awarded in connection with Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation benefits, but that sum is far lower than what was originally sought by injured workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by mid-2014, just 33% of all claims for Workers’ Compensation had been approved.
The stress that accompanies lost salary and wages is only made worse by mounting medical bills, but a skilled Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyer can help. With a proven track record of success, Jeffrey S. Gross and Patrick W. Kenny, understand the immense anxiety that is felt by injured workers. Before embarking on a Workers’ Compensation claim, it is important to understand the purpose of benefits, as well as what it will take to prevail on your claim.
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act was established over one century ago to help employees stay financially afloat while recovering from injuries sustained during the course of employment, as well as to limit liability for employers. At Gross & Kenny, LLP, our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys strive to obtain maximum benefits for our clients. The following types of benefits may be available for a person who sustains a workplace injury or illness:
Death benefits. In the event a person dies due to a work injury, their heirs will be eligible for various death benefits as part of the workers’ compensation coverage. This payment must be made within 300 weeks from the time of the injury or exposure and includes a total of $3000 in funeral expense reimbursement. Additionally, death benefits will be paid to a surviving spouse and calculated using the worker’s pre-death weekly wage. Spouses are to receive 51% of the worker’s weekly salary, though a widower with dependents is allowed to receive more. Benefits will be paid for a specified amount of time, and an attorney will guide you through this process.
Unfortunately, prevailing on a Workers’ Compensation claim is far from straightforward. Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers note that even the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry recommends that injured employees seek legal representation. Employers and their insurance carriers often vigorously contest not only requests for Workers’ Compensation benefits but also requests for vocational rehabilitation when it becomes clear that a worker will never be able to fulfill their previous job duties. Additionally, an employee who secures Worker’s Compensation benefits may later be challenged to return to work before they are able.
If you have been injured on the job and are in need of Workers’ Compensation benefits – or if you have been issued a denial of a claim already initiated – contact Gross & Kenny, LLP. Since 1991, lead attorney Gross has concentrated his efforts solely in the field of Workers’ Compensation, serving as a tireless advocate on behalf of injured workers throughout the region. Call our team of Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers at 215-512-1500 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation at our Philadelphia offices.