Pittsburgh Workers' Compensation Attorneys

Helping Employees With Pennsylvania Work Injury Benefits

Pennsylvania workers' compensation is an insurance program that pays you benefits if you are unable to work due to an on-the-job injury or occupational disease. While you may not need legal help to file a workers' comp claim, it is a good idea to seek legal counsel if you have suffered a serious injury or if your employer has attempted to terminate your benefits.

At the law firm of Joshua M. Bloom & Associates, P.C., our Pittsburgh workers' compensation lawyers represent men and women throughout Western Pennsylvania who have been injured on the job. We will meet with you to discuss your situation in-depth and inform you of what options you may have moving forward.

How Long Do I Have to File a Workers' Comp Claim?

After you have suffered a workplace accident, you have up to three years to file a workers' comp claim. However, you need to provide notice to your employer within 120 days of the job site injury or you will be forever barred from filing the claim. Our attorneys will explain the application process to you in greater detail.

What Benefits Does Workers' Comp Provide?

You are entitled to three main benefits through workers' comp:

• Medical benefits such as free medical care and prescription drugs for as long as you are injured
• Two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a maximum amount for as long as you are unable to work (or partial wage loss benefits if you can work, but cannot earn as much as you did before your work injury)
• A specific loss award if you suffer scarring, disfigurement, or loss of use of your arm, hand, finger, leg, eyesight or hearing

Your employer may offer you light-duty work assignments while you are recovering. If you refuse a light-duty assignment, you could lose your benefits.

Claims Brought Under the Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act

The Heart and Lung Act of Pennsylvania operates somewhat differently from traditional workers' comp. This act provides public safety employees with full compensation if they are disabled while performing their job duties. Specific claims must be made to qualify for these benefits, and not every injury or type of job will be covered. That is why it is important to speak with our lawyers to determine if you are eligible for this form of compensation.

Can I Sue My Employer?

Workers' comp is designed to operate without placing fault on the employer or the employee. As such, you generally cannot sue your employer for injuries suffered at work. If a third party caused your injury, however, then you can file a personal injury claim for 100 percent of lost wages and fringe benefits, as well as damages for pain and suffering.

A third party is anyone other than your employer or someone who works for your employer. For example, subcontractors, vendors, equipment manufacturers and other drivers who cause a car accident are considered to be third parties.

Call for a Free Consultation With a Pittsburgh Work Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered a repetitive motion injury or any other type of injury at work, you may be entitled to compensation. We can also help people who have had denied claims or denied benefits. Contact our Pittsburgh workers' compensation attorneys online. Or call 412-567-6650 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your situation. We handle workers' compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you pay nothing unless we obtain compensation for you.