Archive for the ‘Workplace Injuries’ Category

When you suffer any kind of injury, your natural response is to seek attention from your physician. After all, that is the professional who knows your health history, and with whom you have established a relationship over the years. But if the injury that you have suffered is a workplace injury and you plan on filing a workers’ compensation claim, then there are certain rules that you need to be aware of and to follow. Having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney acting as your advocate can help you avoid making mistakes that could keep you from getting the compensation that you need. The workers’ compensation attorneys from the Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law are here to keep you on the right track so you can get the reimbursement that you deserve.

Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws define a work injury as an injury, disease or condition caused by a person’s job, and in order to get compensation for that injury, a worker needs to inform their employer about the condition within 21 days of it having occurred, or within 120 days at the absolute latest. The sooner you report an injury the better, even if you don’t think that you’ll need medical treatment. If you do need treatment, your company is allowed to insist that you are treated by a doctor from their company approved list for the first visit and for 90 days thereafter: once those 90 days are up, you can see whatever physician you choose. It is also important to note that not every company has this requirement in place. You only need to go to a company doctor if your company has provided you with a written list that consists of at least six designated health care providers and you have signed a document indicating that you have received the list and are aware of those requirements. If the company hasn’t provided this type of list, then you are free to select whatever physician you would like.

Workers’ compensation offers a number of benefits, including compensation for medical expenses and for wages lost as a result of the injury. The amount that you can receive in lost wages is based on the amount of money that you were making before the injury, and there are maximum amounts that can be paid, but most workers receive about 2/3s of their wage. Bills from doctors and medical facilities are paid based on a fee schedule, and bill the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company directly. The employee should not have to pay any fees.

Workers’ compensation is a valuable benefit for employees, but getting the benefits that you deserve can, unfortunately, be a difficult process. The attorneys at Vanasse Law will fight for your rights and make sure that everything is being done the right way. Call us today to set up an appointment to discuss your case.

Anybody who has ever injured their back knows that the pain of a back injury can be excruciating. If you are suffering from the spasms and misery of a back injury that occurred on the job, you may feel like you’re all alone, but in fact you’re in very good and expansive company – back injuries are the second most common injury that happens in the workplace. Workplace back injuries can range from minor to crippling, and can be the result of overexertion or overextension, a fall, or even sitting in an unhealthy position for an extended period of time. Whether your back injury requires extensive surgery and permanent disability or simply needs a bit of therapy and pain medication, you are entitled to workers’ compensation to cover your medical expenses and to provide replacement income for any lost wages that result from needing time off from work. It is important that you report your injury to your employer immediately to give them the opportunity to provide you with the compensation to which you are entitled. If they respond with a denial of your claim, contact the attorneys at Vanasse Law to give yourself the benefit of a powerful legal advocate.

The back injuries that most commonly occur at work include:

• Lower back strain
• Slipped, herniated, or bulging discs
• Pinched nerves
• Fractured vertebrae
• Spinal cord damage

These injuries can occur in a number of different ways, ranging from simply lifting a box the wrong way to being involved in a catastrophic automobile accident while on the job. Repetitive motions can cause back injuries, a slip and fall can cause a back injury, and even standing or sitting for too long in an awkward position can lead to damage to your back.

If you injure your back while on the job, you are entitled to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance policy that employers provide to their employees in exchange for employees not filing personal injury lawsuits against them. In theory, workers’ compensation should be a relatively straightforward process,  but many employers or their insurance carriers deny claims, questioning whether a worker is actually injured, or whether the injury is actually work related. As experienced workers’ compensation attorneys, the Lancaster, Pennsylvania law firm of Vanasse Law has extensive experience in representing workers whose workers’ compensation claims have been denied.  If you have reported your injury to your employer within the mandated time period and they have responded with a denial of claims, then you will need to file an appeal of this denial, and this is a complex process. Having a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney working as your advocate and representative will give you the advantage of being certain that all deadlines are met, all documentation is in order, and that you have an impressive array of medical experts providing testimony on your behalf. Getting compensation for your work-related back injury is a complex, serious process. Contact the attorneys at Vanasse Law to make sure that you’re in competent, confident hands.

There are some injuries and work-related illnesses that are clear-cut and rarely questioned. These include accidents that occur in the workplace and exposures to chemicals and toxins that are present in the workplace. Unfortunately, other medical conditions are not as straightforward, and workers who suffer these illnesses or injuries are rightly concerned about whether their workers’ compensation claim will be accepted. High on this list is heart attacks suffered by workers.

Though to the ill employee there may be no question that their heart condition or heart attack is a result of work-related stress, employers and their insurance companies are highly likely to deny the claim and put up an argument. In the state of Pennsylvania, ruling on the merits of a workers’ compensation claim for a heart attack are based on how much exertion your job requires. Though your job may place you under tremendous stress, that emotional challenge is not enough to win your case. If you have suffered a heart attack that you believe was caused by your employment, you need an experienced attorney who can help you gather evidence to prove your case. The lawyers at Vanasse Law have a long record of successfully winning heart injury workers’ compensation cases, and can assist you as well.

Heart attacks suffered on the job can be a result of a job requiring a person to be sedentary for long periods of time followed by periods of extreme exertion – a truck driver is a perfect example of this type of activity or job responsibility. In addition to being caused by physical stress, heart attacks can also be a result of mental stress, and in some situations the state has held that an upsetting situation at work has directly caused a heart attack. In these cases, despite the objections of the employer, the workers’ compensation bureau has been convinced that the physical injury of a heart attack was the direct result of a work-related mental stimulus. The sick worker’s attorney was required to prove that the heart attack existed, and to provide testimony from a medical authority stating unequivocally that the attack was related to what happened at work, whether mental or physical. This type of legal argument requires a highly skilled, knowledgeable attorney with extensive experience in workers’ compensation litigation.

Whether you have suffered a heart attack as a result of physical exertion required at work or because of the emotional stress of an event or situation at work, it is important that you work with an attorney who is well versed in the specifics of Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws, and who has extensive experience in successfully representing injured workers like yourself. At the Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law, we are committed to making sure that our clients get the compensation that they deserve and that their rights are fully protected. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

No matter how a spinal cord injury occurs, its impact can be long lasting and life changing. The expenses involved in treating a spinal cord injury can quickly climb to mind-numbing levels, and the pain and disability that follows can leave you unable to continue working. If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury on the job, then you are likely to be entitled to both compensation for any wages that you lose, and for compensation for your medical expenses. There are specific steps that you need to take in order to preserve your ability to file for workers’ compensation, and it is important that you follow these steps exactly. The attorneys at the Lancaster workers’ compensation law firm of Vanasse Law are compassionate, experienced workers’ compensation attorneys who can provide you with the legal guidance you need to make sure that your rights are protected.

Spinal cord injuries vary in severity but are generally defined as any damage to the bundle of nerves that is located within the spinal column. These nerves make up the message center between the brain and the rest of the body, sending messages telling limbs and fingers to move and relaying sensations like heat, cold, softness, and sharpness back from the fingers and surface of the skin. At their most severe, spinal cord injuries can leave those who have suffered them completely paralyzed from the neck down. Even a slight disturbance within the spinal cord can leave a person unable to control their bladder, unable to regulate their body temperature, unable to function sexually, and more.

Spinal cord injuries that occur on the job are often a result of a fall or some kind of trauma or blow to the spine. Many workers suffer spinal cord injuries while operating motor vehicles while others are a matter of being crushed by heavy equipment. However your accident occurred, if the injury took place on the job then you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation, a no-fault insurance that your Pennsylvania employer is required to carry and which provides injured workers with the ability to receive compensation without needing to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer, or to assign blame for what has happened to them.

In the state of Pennsylvania, workers who are injured are required to notify their employer about their injury within 21 days. Following this your employer will send a report to their insurance company, as well as to the Workers’ Compensation Bureau, and 21 days after giving notice to the employer they are required to either respond with a denial of liability or begin providing compensation. With an injury as serious as a spinal cord injury, there is likely to be an extended period when you are unable to work. For more information on the options available to you, contact Vanasse Law today. One of our knowledgeable attorneys will explain the process and let you know what you can expect from the workers’ compensation process.

Nobody heads off to work expecting to sustain energy, but workplace injuries happen every day, and they can be life-altering. Leg injuries are extremely common in all types of work environments and are often the result of slipping or tripping, falling from a height, walking into objects, machinery entanglements, and vehicle crashes. The severity of these injuries can vary and can range from bumps and bruises to sprains, from broken bones or torn ligaments to amputations. Whether you have injured your leg, knee, or ankle in the workplace, if your condition requires medical attention or time away from work then you are entitled to seek and receive benefits from workers’ compensation. The Lancaster PA law firm of Vanasse Law LLC has extensive experience in successfully representing those who have been hurt on the job, and we can help you as well.

Workplace leg injuries can happen to anybody. Though many assume that those who work in construction, in factory and manufacturing settings, or in other dangerous environments are the most likely to get hurt, the truth is that on-the-job accidents happen in all types of settings and to all types of employees. Workers’ compensation is there to provide those who have been injured with a straightforward way to receive compensation for the damage that they have suffered without having to resort to legal action against their employer. It is a no-fault system that attributes no blame: Instead, it is meant to provide a way for injured employees to receive compensation for their medical expenses, temporary or permanent disability payments, and vocational rehabilitation benefits if needed. Unfortunately, many employers and their insurance companies put roadblocks in the way of those seeking these benefits, and that’s where an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help.

At Vanasse Law LLC , when you seek our help in getting workers’ compensation for your leg, knee, or ankle injury, we do not file a lawsuit against your employer. We assist you in making sure that your claim is well documented and filed correctly and represent you in front of the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation judge, as well as the Appeal Board if necessary.  We can also help you to identify whether any third party may have played a role in your injury, and help you in pursuing legal action against those responsible.

When you suffer an injury to your leg, knee, or ankle, it has a direct impact on many different and important aspects of your life. It affects your ability to move as well as to function, and may directly impact your ability to continue to do your job. Additionally, a leg injury can impact the quality and enjoyment of your life. If you have suffered this type of injury on the job, the first thing you need to do is to focus on getting better and having the compensation that you need to pay for your bills, and ample time to heal is important. At Vanasse Law LLC, we work hard to make sure that your rights are protected and that you have the opportunity to heal. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Nobody starts their day anticipating that they are going to get injured on the job, and the truth is that when an accident, illness, or injury does occur, few people know exactly what they are supposed to do. Though the most obvious answer is that you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible – especially in an emergency – when it comes to doing things the right way in order to maximize your chances of receiving the workers’ compensation benefits that you deserve, there’s a lot that you need to know. At Vanasse Law, we are experienced workers’ compensation attorneys who help injured employees through the complex process of applying for and securing their workers’ compensation benefits. Few people know what the most important steps are that need to be followed, but we can help. Call us today if you have been injured on the job.

Though workers’ compensation is a benefit that is provided to most workers in the state of Pennsylvania, not all who are injured on the job end up receiving the compensation that they deserve. In order to give yourself the best chance of success in your pursuit of workers’ compensation benefits, here are the most important steps that you need to follow:

• Begin by reporting your accident, injury, or illness. The state of Pennsylvania allows up to 120 days to tell your boss about what happened or your diagnosis, but it is always better to let them know sooner rather than later. If you have only just learned about your illness, you have 120 days from the date of diagnosis. Failure to meet the 120-day requirement can result in your employer denying your claim.
• After you have reported your injury, check to see whether your employer has posted a list of approved physicians. If so, then you are required to see one of those physicians for the first 90 days after your injury. Failure to do so can mean that your employer doesn’t have to pay your first 90 days’ worth of bills. If no doctor is named, then you can see your own.
• Your employer is required to file a report to their insurance company and file it with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Then their insurer has 21 days to approve or deny your claim and decide whether to pay for your treatment and any wages that you’ve lost.
• If your employer agrees that your injury is work-related then you’ll get a notice that you’re going to be paid. This may be a notification of temporary payment. Your employer may also deny your claim, in which case you need to file a claim petition. The deadline to do this is three years after the date of the injury.

Having an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney walk you through these steps as well as the claims process is the first step to making sure that you have the best possible chance of having your claim approved. Call Vanasse Law today to learn more about the many ways that we can help.

Learn more about Job Injuries HERE.