Workplace Injury Attorney Scranton

According to Pennsylvania law, employers are legally bound to create a safe place for their employees to work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets minimum guidelines for work environments, with specific procedures for particular industries. Some workplaces are naturally more hazardous than others, but anyone can be injured on the job.

Common workplace hazards include dangerous chemicals, heavy machinery, and environmental hazards such as exposure to elements leading to dehydration. Some of the most dangerous workplaces include:

• The construction industry. Workers are exposed to dangers routinely from operating heavy machinery, exposure to the elements, and falling pieces of construction debris.
• Logging is the most dangerous job in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over 100 loggers died in 2015 from falling branches and rough terrain.
• Fishing industry workers face harsh conditions on the water and exposure to the elements.
• Truck driving is one of the nation’s most dangerous professions, with workers driving long hours that leave them prone to accidents. Additionally, truck drivers face poor health consequences associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
• Police officers routinely face dangers on the job, becoming the 15^th most dangerous profession in 2015.
• Agricultural professions see injury from operation of heavy machinery, as well as chronic conditions from hard labor.
• Oil field workers are vulnerable to explosions and electrocution, making it one of the most dangerous occupations.

While some industries are more prone to injury than others, even office workers can face negative health consequences on the job. Examples of office injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, and defective chair collapses. If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be eligible for a workers’ compensation claim under Pennsylvania law.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits for your medical expenses, and in the event you are unable to return to work, provides compensation for lost wages until you can return. Death benefits are also available for dependents, in the event of a catastrophic work accident.

Private insurance companies provide workers’ compensation for your company, but your benefits may also come from the State Workers Insurance Fund.

Getting Your Benefits

If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, take the following steps:

1. Report the incident. As soon as you suspect an injury, report it to your employer. The state of Pennsylvania allows an employee 21 days to report an injury. A delay in reporting may cause a delay in your benefits, or even a denial. Acting quickly is in your best interest.
2. Seek care. When you sustain an injury at work, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The workers’ compensation program is designed to pay your medical expenses retroactively, so don’t worry about how you’re going to pay for it. Ask your employer to provide you with a workers’ compensation approved provider, and get the help you need.
3. File a report. Your employer will fill out a claim report and have you fill out the employee section. Be as thorough as possible. Once your employer files the claim with the insurance company, you should have an approval or denial within 14 business days.
4. Know how to handle a denial. Unfortunately, there’s always a chance your claim may be denied. This may be because an employer didn’t file the paperwork carefully enough, or submit the claim within an appropriate time frame.

Call an Experienced Scranton Workplace Injury Lawyer

When this happens, you’ll need the help of an attorney with experience in workplace injury. Rosenbaum & Associates has been helping Wilkes-Barre & Scranton area families resolve their workplace injury claims for over 25 years. Let us do the same for you. Contact us for your free consultation.