An on-the-job injury can lead to financial uncertainty for you and your family. It’s likely you are unable to work. You could need costly medical treatment. You wonder how you will pay your monthly bills. Workers’ compensation benefits can help. Employers must offer workers’ compensation just for this reason.
The Law Offices of Hall & Copetas in Pittsburgh is experienced in workers’ compensation law. We advocate for injured workers and make sure they receive fair and just financial compensation. Our attorneys have more than 45 years of combined experience. We’ve provided answers to a list of frequently asked questions about this topic.
What types of benefits can I expect from workers’ compensation?
Benefits include health care costs (including surgery, medicine and doctor visits); partial and total disability payments; benefits for permanent disabilities (including loss of limbs or paralysis); and death benefits for your surviving family members if you die in a work accident.
How do I know whether I am eligible for workers’ compensation benefits?
Two main factors exist as to whether you are eligible. The injury you sustained must be work-related. It should have occurred while you were working on the job. Next, you must have been an employee of the company when the injury happened. Some workers may not qualify at all. This group includes farm workers and contractors. But just because you are an employee and the injury happened at work does not guarantee benefits. Insurance companies may deny benefits if you were drunk, under the influence of a controlled substance or injured yourself intentionally.
How much money can I expect to get through workers’ compensation benefits?
You may receive 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wages with a maximum benefit amount of $1,049, as in 2019.
Can I file a lawsuit against my employer for injuries that happened at work?
In filing a workers’ compensation claim, you are essentially seeking money from your employer’s insurance company that provides the policy. The action of filing a lawsuit against your employer, though, may disqualify you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
How can an attorney help me in a workers’ compensation claim?
An experienced attorney will work with you from the beginning and provide the guidance you need to understand workers’ compensation claims. An attorney will help you understand your rights, gather the paperwork and medical records, file the initial claim for benefits, secure benefit extensions, and initiate the appeals process if your claim is denied. A workers’ compensation attorney can answer your questions promptly and effectively.
At the Law Offices of Hall & Copetas, we stand by our record in helping people rebuild their lives.
