If you suffer an injury on the job in Erie, Pennsylvania, understanding the steps to take can significantly improve your chances of recovering the full workers’ compensation benefits you need. In general, you should report the injury to your employer, seek treatment from an employer-approved doctor, document everything, and consult a Pennsylvania work injury lawyer who can handle your case while you recover.
Report the Injury to Your Employer
One of the first steps you should take after sustaining an injury at work is to report the injury to your manager, supervisor, or employer. In Pennsylvania, injured employees must report their injury to their employer within 120 days of the accident to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Additionally, unless you report your injury within 21 days, you will not receive back pay between the date of your injury and the date you make your report. This is why it’s essential to report the incident as soon as possible to protect your right to benefits in general as well as back pay.
When reporting your injury, the best practice is to do so both verbally and in writing (email). This is so you know that your employer is aware of the incident, and also so you can retain a copy of the report, just in case your employer or their insurer claims you never made one.
Seek Treatment for Your Injury
Next, it’s crucial that you seek treatment for your injury. If you don’t seek treatment, you’ll have a difficult time convincing your employer’s insurer that your injury is real and should be compensated.
While you can seek emergency medical treatment from any provider, you generally must seek other treatment from a healthcare provider on your employer’s approved physician list. The other main exception is if you require specialist treatment and there is no relevant specialist on the list.
Under Pennsylvania law, you must seek treatment from one of these approved providers for the first 90 days. After that point, you can seek treatment from any provider of your choice.
Document Everything Related to Your Work Injury
An essential step in building a strong case is documenting everything. If a hazardous workplace condition caused your injury, be sure to take photographs of the condition. If coworkers witnessed your injury, collect their contact information so your lawyer can follow up with them.
It’s also recommended that you keep track of your treatment by photographing the healing of your visible injuries, keeping a pain journal that details your daily pain levels, and requesting copies of your medical records. Your attorney can also gather this evidence for you while you recover.
Get Legal Help With Your Case
The most important step to take for the future of your case is to consult a work injury attorney. They’ll be able to help you determine if you also have a third-party injury case, such as if a defective equipment manufacturer is also liable.
Additionally, your lawyer will handle all aspects of your case on your behalf. This includes gathering evidence, calculating your case’s value, negotiating with insurers, and filing claim denial appeals if necessary.
Contact Our Pennsylvania Work Injury Lawyers
McCormick & Vilushis LLC’s work injury lawyers have more than 45 years of collective legal experience, including experience as former prosecutors. We’re committed to the Erie County community and are dedicated to helping victims and their families seek the compensation and benefits they need following workplace accidents.
Contact our law firm today to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney about your case and to learn more about the benefits you could be entitled to.