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COHEN LAW OFFICES

1149 Municipal Drive                                                                                                                                                          Shawn B. Cohen, Esquire

PO Box 663                                                                                                                                                                      Andrew T. Murray, Esquire

Duncansville, PA  16635                                                                                                                                                        Scott A. Huber, Esquire

 

Tel: (814) 693-0500                                                                                                                                                               Lisa K. Cohen, Paralegal

Fax:(814) 693-0501                                                                                                                                            emails to: lisa@attyshawncohen.com

 

(814) 494-0664 (Bedford area)

(717) 541-0100 (Harrisburg area)

(888) 249-9660 (toll free)

 

Aggressive Representation        Personal Attention       Proven Results

* * CALL NOW FOR A FREE WORKERS COMPENSATION CONSULTATION * *

Who is Entitled to Receive Workers Compensation Benefits?

 

            Nearly everyone who is injured while working or suffers from a work-related illness, is covered by the PA Workers Compensation Act and could receive medical benefits for their injuries and wage loss benefits until they are able to return to work at their previous level and pay.  If a worker is killed while working or dies from a work-related illness, their survivors may receive survivor’s benefits.

 

            Part-time, seasonal and full-time workers are covered whether they work for a profit or non-profit corporation or sole-proprietorship, even if they only employ one worker.  Certain types of employees such as federal civilian and railroad retirement workers and volunteers are not covered by the PA Workers Compensation Act.  Please call our office to discuss whether you are entitled to workers compensation, do not take your employer’s word for it. 

 

            Even if your employer does not have workers compensation, you may be covered by benefits from the Uninsured Employer Guaranty Fund.  Please call our office to discuss your work injury even if your employer says they do not have workers compensation coverage.

 

            You may not be entitled to workers compensation if you intentionally hurt yourself or your injury is caused by illegal drug use or intoxication or other violations of the law.  However, please call our office if your employer tells you that you are not covered due to one of these reasons, as you may be able to dispute the facts. 

 

 

How Do You Go About Collecting your Benefits?

 

            You MUST report your injury to your employer or supervisor as soon as it occurs or within a reasonable time period afterwards.  You must tell them the date and time it occurred and tell them the names of any witnesses who saw the injury occur.  If you do not notify your employer of the injury in a prompt manner, you could be prevented from receiving workers compensation benefits or they may try to say that your injury occurred outside of work. 

 

            If your employer denies your injury occurred, they may contest it and refuse to pay you workers compensation benefits.  In this case, please contact our office immediately to file a Claim Petition with the Workers Compensation Bureau.  After your Claim Petition is filed, I will attend a hearing before a Judge with you to prove your injury was work-related.   

 

            You are entitled to medical benefits from the first day of the injury and wage loss payments are payable if you are disabled for more than seven (7) days (including weekends) and are payable on the eighth (8th) day after your injury.  Once you are off work for fourteen (14) days, you will receive your payment for the first seven (7) days of missed work.  If your employer’s insurance company approves your claim, you should receive your first compensation check within twenty-one (21) days of the date of your injury but ONLY if you notified your employer of the injury in a prompt manner and have missed more than 7 days.  If the insurance company does not approve your claim, you WILL NOT receive any compensation checks until we file a Claim Petition, attend a hearing and the Judge rules that you were injured from a work-related injury. 

 

            NOTE:  An employer may pay your initial medical bills and even pay you temporary wage loss benefits but ultimately decide that they are going to deny your claim.  They have 90 days to decide to dispute your claim.  If they notify you that they are denying your claim and will stop paying you and your medical providers within this 90 day time period, you should contact our office ASAP to file a Claim Petition to re-establish your benefits.

 

            PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE UPON RECEIVING ANY TYPE OF PAPERWORK FROM YOUR EMPLOYER OR THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY.  DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING WITHOUT CONSULTING WITH US FIRST. 

 

           

We hope the above gives you an overview of the process involved in retaining us for your personal injury or workers compensation matter. If you should have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at:

* 814-693-0500 if you are in the Blair County area;

* 814-494-0664 if you are in the Bedford County area;

* 717-541-0100 if you are in the Harrisburg area; or

* 888-249-9660 if you are long distance from any of the above areas.


Member, American Trial Lawyers Association

Member, PA Bar Association

www.state.pa.us (keyword: workers comp)

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.